Youth Scene: Seahawks capture league title

The Newport Mesa Seahawks remained unbeaten and captured the league championship this past weekend.

Playing the Mission Viejo Cowboys, who were also unbeaten entering the game, the Seahawks’ powerful defense again shut out their opponent and won, 30-0.

The Cowboys’ normally prolific running game was held down by hard hitting linebackers Jack Genova, Blake Kormos and Jonathon White.

Defensive backs Carson Poivre, Stephen Menzia, Rich Vanis, and Sutton Barbato stifled the Mission Viejo passing game and defensive end Nick Bauer kept the pressure on the Cowboy quarterback the whole game.

On offense center Danny Rodgers and linemen Mitch Haly, Conner Brazeel, Jake Jones, Will Karambelas and Will Gehl provided great blocking and controlled the line throughout the contest.

Quarterback Chase Garbers hit four different receivers during the game. The first went to wing back Adam Freeman who caught a quick down and out in the end zone. Another was a fake slant pass that was caught in the corner of the end zone by tight end Kobe Benter.

On the ground, tailback Anthony Battista punished the Mission Viejo defenders, as he bounced off their linebackers and outran their backs for two touchdowns. Adding six points, with three two-point conversions was kicker Carson Poivre.

Proud to be undefeated league champions are coaches John Genova, Grant Garbers, Tony Battista, Steve Brazzel and Greg White.

AYSO Region 97

Girls’ Under 10

Blue Bubble Crushers vs. Newport Strikerz

Maddie Baldikoski scored four goals to lead the Blue Bubble Crushers to a 4-3 win over the Newport Strikerz in very tight playoff game on Saturday.

The Strikerz opened the scoring and the BBC’s came back to tie the game only to fall further behind 3-1. A corner kick and a penalty kick were both converted to make the score, 3-3.

A late goal by Baldikoski sealed the win for the BBC’s.

Payton Steiner assisted on the corner kick and played strong on defense along with Jasmine Amirie and Ashleigh McPhie. Claire Kermode and Neily Sanchez patrolled the midfield along with Lexy Peck and Gretchen Hohenstein. Becca Welsh and Natalie Sanchez rounded out the striker positions providing a balanced attack. Gretchen, Lexy, Ashleigh and Payton shared goal duty to secure a big win for the Blue Bubble Crushers.

Girls’ Under 10

The Wildcats

The Wildcats played two games this weekend. The level of team play continues to rise. The defense held strong behind the aggressive play of Elizabeth Peters at sweeper and excellent keeper play by Brooke Morgan and Casey Seidner. In this week’s games, seven girls scored goals. Kelcy Sweeney and Abby Blaine scored two goals each in the first game with Delaney Knipp rounding out the scoring on an indirect kick from outside the penalty box, Isabella Fonk provided the assist. In the second game, four girls scored including Brooke Morgan (2), Kaycee Kontra (2), Jane Bradbury (1) and Ava Glassen (1). For each of these four girls the goals were their first of the season. Every Wildcat has now scored at least one goal this season.

Boys’ Under 10

Silver Surfers vs. Tsunamis

The Silver Surfers held back the Tsunamis and won 3-2. After incurring a 2-0 deficit in the first quarter, the Silver Surfers went on the offensive. Bobby Shultze scored the first comeback goal with a beautiful penalty kick. With just seconds remaining in the first half, Blake Jackson put one in the net to even the score at 2-2. Both teams battled fiercely in the third quarter and the score remained tied. In the fourth quarter, the great defensive efforts of Jack Whelen, Max Hartel and goalie Blake held back the mighty surge of the Tsunamis. The Surfers rode the Tsunamis tidal wave with great passing between Shutze, Jax Richards, Riley Mitchell, August Neubauer, Jack Joslin and Aiden Lewis-Grenz. With just minutes left in the game, Shultze scored the game-winner.

Girls’ Under 8

Dominators

The Dominators came out passing, shooting at the goal and thrilling the crowd with some amazing defense. Ella Hopkins and Willa Rath both scored goals for the Dominators. Protecting the goal and making many stops were Mackenzie Simon, Hailey Simon and Madeline Hopkins. Gia Negrete and Ella Hopkins made accurate passes and set up teammates for many scoring attempts. Pressing hard and making some amazing defensive plays and stopping scoring attempts were Katie Shannon, Hailey Simon and Fiona Batstone.

— Reader submission