Amherst Broncos’ Mitey Mites named divisional football champs

The 2006 Amherst Broncos’ Mitey Mites won its division with a 7-0 record. The Broncos (7-1-1) tied the Southwest Colts, 6-6, in a bowl game. Members of the team pictured from left, are: first row - Josh Petri, Jason Kovel, Will Gaulin, Jack Manzella, Marcus Evans, Macayle Kunkle; second row - Brian McGonagle, Derek Penman, Alex Bova, Peter Crofurt, Jon-Jon Tirone, Davis Lyskawa, Dean Penman; third row - Sahil Chaudhuri, John Becht, Nick Ames, Frank Dinoto, Jake Ames, Austin Cutler, Andrew Crawford, Patrick Moyer; fourth row - coaches Joe Manzella, Joe Becht, Tim Petri, Dean Penman, Phil Gaulin, and John Tirone.

With only one loss in an opener against a non-divisional team, the Pop Warner Amherst Broncos’ Mitey Mites won the rest of their remaining games of the season.

Forging a divisional record of 7-0 and outscoring their opponents, 142-0, the Amherst Broncos’ Mitey Mites were named divisional champions for the 2006 football season.

Over the course of the entire season, the play of center Dean Penman, guards John Becht, Will Gaulin, Frank Dinoto, Patrick Moyer, tackles Jake and Nick Ames, and tight ends Jack Manzella and Austin Cutler, made way for an offensive line that created holes for the team’s extremely potent backfield. The offensive unit committed only seven penalties the entire season.

The running back attack, led by Andrew Crawford, Jon-Jon Tirone, Derek Penman and Brian McGonagle, frustrated opponent’s defenses with unbridled speed and precision blocking. Crawford amassed over 1,000 yards for the season and Tirone and Penman gave their fair share of power running and blocking.

Quarterback David Lyskawa managed the team’s offense with precision. Throughout the season, Lyskawa demonstrated his abilities at the quarterback position by throwing touchdown

passes to the speedy Tirone and Brendan Hurley, and running the ball down field as a pseudo running back.

Allowing no points to divisional rivals, the team’s defense pummeled offenses with relentless attacks from players at all positions.

The attacking defensive line was made up of nose guards, Becht, Cutler, tackles Kevin Donavan, Gaulin, Josh Petri, Sahil Chaudhuri, Jason Kovel, Alex Bova, Macayle Kunkle. Defensive ends Crawford and Derek Penman anchored the defense while linebackers Jake Ames, Nick Ames, Peter Crofurt, Jack Manzella, Dean Penman, and Marcus Evans cleaned house up the middle. Corner backs Tirone, Lyskawa, Hurley and McGonagle were the polishing touches to the defense.

Due to their success locally, the Broncos were invited to participate in a bowl game in Rochester against the Southwest Colts, one of the best youth football teams in New York State. With time running out and the score tied, 6-6, the Broncos drove closer and closer to scoring position but unfortunately, time elapsed, and the bowl game ended tied.

The coaches attributed the success of the Broncos to a collaboration of efforts from the players and coaches on the team.

Watch out for 2007 when the Broncos set their sights on playing in a nationally televised bowl game in Walt Disney World.