In the regular season finale between the RAIDERS and the JETS, GANG GREEN outplayed the SILVER-AND-BLACK in a 25-19 win. Although the RAIDERS’ final record was an impressive 4-1, the loss represented more than just a mere blemish on their season. The loss humbled a RAIDERS team that was starting to feed into the media hype that their season had generated.

Perhaps the loss in Week 5 was just what the doctor ordered to cure the RAIDERS of their deficiencies because in the 7-9-year-old championship game, RAIDER NATION dominated the JETS 31-6.

When I asked the champs after the game why they were such an effective team all season, they all repeated the following mantra:

SCORE TOUCHDOWNS AND PULL FLAGS!

As simple of a message as this motto appears to be to the naked eye, it served as a rallying cry for a team who was playing for a coach with unproven championship-winning intangibles. Coach Chris has been a relatively unsuccessful coach throughout his tenure with the Youth League; however his players have always responded favorably to his coaching style. After years of disappointment, Coach Chris was finally able to assemble a successful championship run.

At the Lower Division level we seldom find kids who have “a nose for the football.” Apparently Peyton Psilos missed that memo, because this young man has a German Shepard nose for the football. On a broken pass play attempt from the JETS’ offense, Psilos dropped back in coverage, came back to the football once it was thrown like the intended receiver, caught the interception, and sped down the sideline for a thrilling RAIDERS’ score.

Another RAIDERS’ player who emerged as a vital contributor to the team’s success was rookie quarterback Andre Fletcher Jr. Fletcher came up huge for his squad in the championship game by throwing for several touchdowns. According to the young passer Coach Chris’s offense “is very easy to figure out.”