During the Fall 2011 regular season, the JETS asserted themselves as the best team in the PFFL Youth League. If I were a betting man, I’d say that the JETS will win the championship easy. However the CARDINALS played the hand they were dealt in an 18-13 upset victory over the JETS.

In a close game against the league’s best team, the CARDS relied on the superhuman talents of Joshua “Super Cleats” DiMatteo. The South Hills Middle School student rushed for all three CARDINAL touchdowns. In addition, Super Cleats made a crucial tackle on electric JETS’ Quarterback Jonathan “Michael Vick” Wellen on the game’s final drive.

“We noticed their {JETS] play because they ran it over and over again,” DiMatteo said of his clutch defensive play. “And all they did was kept handing off to each other.”

After Super Cleats’ tackle, teammate Evan Zafuto made a defensive play that prevented the JETS from picking up a first down. “He [JETS player] was slow and I knew exactly where he was going,” Zafuto explained.

Across the field Michael Vick threw one touchdown and rushed for another. Jordan “Cyclops” Myers was on the receiving end of the JETS’ first score. Also Dashawn “All Day Day” Shaffer picked off a CARDINALS’ extra point attempt and scored one point for the green team.

In addition to Super Cleats and Zafuto, the CARDINALS benefitted from the play of Daeshon “Houdini” Butler, Kyrin “Poker Face” Wyatt, Kyneil “Real Chill” Wyatt, and Rasheed Thorne.

Although the JETS lost, they played really well in the final matchup. PFFL All-Star and Coach Jason Bialek did an excellent job in leading them to their first championship game.

CONGRATULATIONS to Coach Jason Russell and the new Youth League Champion CARDINALS!!!