The Wildcats are now half-way through the regular football season while the cheerleaders are busily preparing for their upcoming local competitions. The Londonderry Wildcats are the largest youth football and cheerleading organization in NH supporting 3 flag football teams and 6 tackle football teams from 8U (2nd graders) through 13U(8th graders); and cheer squads with athletes in kindergarten through 8th grade..
This weeks game(s) of the week will highlight the Wildcat 13U and 9U tackle football game action
13U – Wildcats vs. Razorbacks
Are you afraid of the dark? Under the lights at LHS Varsity field the 13U Wildcats sporting their new black game jersey’s hosted the perennial power Pelham Razorbacks in 8th grade football action. These 2 teams have a history, as they advanced through theAYF football levels, having played each other in regular season games and playoffs. These games are usually close and tonight would be no exception.
Like two prize fighters the teams slowly tested each other under the lights last Saturday at LHS. Pelham taking the opening kick off on their first series facing a 4th and 2 decided to go for it. The Pelham back took the hand-off in the backfield and was immediately stopped for a loss by Wildcat #24 Charlie Lantz. The Wildcats would fair no better. On their opening series facing a 4th and short – the Cats were stopped by the Pelham defense. And so set the tone of the game.
Nearing the end of the first quarter Pelham, again facing a 4th down decided to go for it in the air, but an alert Wildcat #10 Jake Perron batted down the ball to give possession to Londonderry. Taking advantage of the Pelham mistake Londonderry struck quickly. Wildcat QB #1 Cam Brutus completed a 34 yard pass to #20 Cam Chambers that put the ball on the Pelham 25. From there Jake Perron would run the final 25 yards and the early Londonderry lead.
Starting way back on their own 6 yard line the Razorbacks ground out a long 10+ minute drive scoring on a short TD run with just over 2 minutes left in the half. Wildcat #2 Quinton Delorey would stop the Razorback EP run to keep the score tied at 6.
On the next series it would take Londonderry 18 seconds of game time to pull ahead. After covering up the Pelham kickoff on their 36 yard line Wildcat QB Cam Brutus would connect with #20 Cameron Chambers for a 64 yard pass and run play to pull ahead 12 to 6. In youth football in recognition for the skill and effort it takes to make a kick after TD, AYF awards 2 points for the effort. Wildcat Jake Perron would connect on the kick and the 2 critical points to put Londonderry ahead 14 to 6.
With just over 2 minutes in the half Pelham would find lightening on their own long run from scrimmage taking the ball all the way down to the Londonderry 21 yard line. Forcing the ball down to the Wildcat 9 Pelham hit a wall. That wall would be Wildcat #75 Tyler Miles. On a 3rd and goal from the 9 Ty would slam the Pelham back forcing a fumble quickly scooped up by Wildcat Jake Perron on the 10 yard line to give the ball back to Londonderry with just 2 seconds left in the half.
Disaster was averted when Londonderry’s long pass attempt was intercepted by Pelham and with time running out Wildcats Quinton Delorey and #14 Conor Williams stopped the return on the 5 yard line to preserve the Londonderry 14 to 6 halftime lead.
The Londonderry defense was stout on the day. Wildcat #34 Michael Thistle led all tacklers with 8 solo tackles ( 4 for a loss), and a QB sack. Wildcat #5 Seth Doyon would have 4 solo tackles and Ty Miles would also record 4 solo tackles (3 for loss) to go along with his forced fumble.
Both teams would again change possessions to start the 2nd half. Cam Brutus on the Wildcat second possession of the half would connect to #7 Sam Melia on a 50 yard pass to the Pelham 9 yard. But the excellent opportunity would slip away after several penalties and then a Razorback interception would give the ball back to Pelham.
Would Pelham get back into the game or would the Cats hold on for the victory – select the link below for final game details and a story on the Wildcat 9U squad.
The Pelham drive stumbled, Wildcat Sam Melia would sack the Pelham QB for a loss giving the ball back to Londonderry. But the Cats offense would stall as well after chewing up additional game time early into the 4th quarter. Facing a 4th down Londonderry Punter #39 John Patles would BOOM a punt over 50 yards deep down to the Pelham 16.
The Cat defense would again flex its muscles. On the day Londonderry was supported with 4 solo tackles by Quinto Delorey, Sam Melia, and #22 Matt Carroll; with Wildcats #28 Ty Parsons, #51 Kyle Jasper, #33 Isaac Proctor, Cam Brutus and Conor Williams getting key stops.
Facing their own 4th down the Pelham punter was only able to boot the ball 10 yards giving the ball to Londonderry with 4 minutes left in the game. Though giving the ball back to Pelham the Razorbacks were stalled again as the Wildcats held on for the hard fought and fun 14 to 6 victory.
Wildcat 9U Football and D8 Cheer
9U – Londonderry vs. Pelham
Starting their own history of playing each other the Londonderry and the Razorback 9U (3rd graders) football squads would meet under bright sunny skies this past Sunday at LHS. Like their older teammates in the 13U game the night before the young Wildcats would play a defensively dominated game against the Razorbacks.
Londonderry would find the end zone first early in the first quarter behind an 11 yard TD run by #28 Griffin Salce. Getting the critical EP run after TD would be #23 Dante Fabiano who scored on a fullback power play behind his big line to put Londonderry ahead early 7 to 0.
Later in the half Londonderry would get the ball back after Wildcat #7 Tyler McGrath would recover a Pelham fumble. Subsequent to the turnover Wildcat Quarterback #5 Colton Boorda would complete a pass to Dante Fabiano, with the catch and run of 60 yards deep into Pelham territory. From there Colton would score on a side-line run for the 13 to 0 Wildcat lead at the half.
The 3rd quarter was a test for the Londonderry defense after Pelham took the ball on a long drive into Wildcat territory. The defense held strong however with Dante Fabiano recording a sack of the Pelham QB. With a fumble recovery by Wildcat #49 Cameron Grassis Londonderry would stop the Razorback drive.
Later in the 4th quarter the Londonderry defenders would step up big time. Blitzing the Pelham QB deep in their own territory #1 Odon Delorey and Griffin Salce would force the Pelham QB out of the pocket right into the arms of #14 Blake Buttle. Blakes sack of the Pelham QB in the EndZone would give Londonderry its final 2 points and the hard won 15 to 0 victory over the Razorbacks of Pelham.
9U – pictures and game details – thanks to Kimberly Fitzgerald
All Wildcat teams are away this weekend, and for the rest of the regular season.
