Big plays were at a premium when the SAINTS met the STEELERS in the opening game of the Pittsburgh Flag Football League Youth season. But when they did occur, it was the SAINTS’ Josh DiMatteo showcasing his speed and versatility, ultimately propelling the SAINTS to a 26-13 victory Friday night at George Cupples Stadium.
And while DiMatteo led his team to victory, scoring both on defense and offense, the 11-year-old speedster was excited for another reason.
“It was fun playing with the real jerseys of NFL teams,” he said with a smile as Coach George Williams huddled his team up after the game.
DiMatteo’s performance may have sparked the team, but the biggest play of the game may have occurred on the defensive side of the ball. With just over a minute left in the game, and the STEELERS driving behind quarterback Moreana Kormick, eight-year-old Jehlani Alston was able to pull the flag of one of the speedy STEELERS’ receivers, giving the ball back to the SAINTS to run out the clock.
Williams, who knows a thing or two about defense through his PFFL days with the STALLIONS, was able to sum up the performance of his SAINTS’ suffocating defense in one word – Dominating.
However, it isn’t all just about winning, as the STEELERS’ DeSean Fountain admits.
“It’s fun out here,” he said. “You can hang out with friends, meet new friends and we can all get stronger and better.”
