Submitted by Eric Anderson.
2018 Haddam Killingworth Youth Football Week 6 vs. Berlin
The Haddam Killingworth Youth Football and Cheer A, B and C squads hosted the Berlin Bears on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at Eric Auer Field at KRP and were successful in all contests. The HK squads will be preparing extra hard for the final 2 weeks of the regular season as teams across the league fight for a spot in post season play which begins on November 4th.
The A squad won their third game in a row to improve to 4-2 on the season with a convincing 32-6 victory over the visiting Bears of Berlin. HK doubled its 16-0 halftime advantage in the second half and with relentless defensive pressure throttled any chance of a Berlin comeback. The Cougars scored maximum points on 4 possessions with their strong extra point kicking game.
The defensive mark was set early as Lee and Cary Harwood stopped Berlin runners for no gain in their first 2 snaps and Orion Inkel blocked Berlin’s first punt. Tate Callender would recover a fumble and rush for 2 scores and Kevin Harrison had an interception to thwart Berlin’s only scoring chance of the half.
HK received the ball first in the second half and mounted an 11 play drive that ended with quarterback Alex Phipps rushing in from the 1 yard line. Orion Inkel outran a Berlin defender and dove across the goal line after a 15 yard run to cap off HK’s second half scoring. HK allowed Berlin only 1 net yard of offense in their first 2 possessions of the second half while recording 3 tackles for a loss and a sack. Berlin scored a touchdown as time expired for the final margin of victory.
Tackle leaders for the game included Nick Fox (5), Aiden Griswold (3), Lee Harwood (3), Carey Harwood (2), Inkel (2), Callender (2), Jacob Maier (1.5), Harrison (1), Caleb Dias (1), Jayden Fulton (1, 1 sack), Ben Cozean (1) and Bryce Anderson (0.5). Callender rushed for 77 yards with Inkel and Lee Harwood contributing 43 and 19 yards respectively. Cavin Napoletano was a perfect 4 for 4 on extra-point kicks for HK.
The Cougars travel to Cromwell on Sunday to take on the Lions (4-1).
In the first game of the day the HK B squad beat Berlin by a score of 50-20 to remain undefeated at 6-0 on the season. The Cougars are one of only 2 undefeated teams in the CTYFL B division and will travel to Cromwell to play the Lions (3-3) on Sunday.
Cougars C Squad Outlast Bears 13-7 in Epic Battle
The HK Cougars hosted the Berlin Bears in a match-up for the ages. Coming into the game, both teams sported identical 4-1 records, with both having fallen to the same opponent (East Hartford Hornets). The game did not disappoint as both squads played hard and executed well – 80+ plays with no turnovers and only 5 penalties.
The game started with the Cougars taking possession near midfield and earning two quick first downs on runs from Josiah Bourne, Josh Frith and Axel Kolcio. The team opened up the scoring on a 29-yard completion from Owen Jones to Axel Kolcio, capped off by a successful PAT, again Jones throwing to Kolcio.
After a long kickoff return to the Cougar 25-yard line, the H-K defense was stout – returning the ball to the offense 4 plays later. The Cougar offense collected two more first downs before stalling and punting back to the Bears. Three plays later (after great tackles from Jake McGrath and Lucas Norko and a pass break-up from Garrett Whitmer and Owen Jones), the Cougars took possession on their 31-yard line. Josiah Bourne again powered through for solid gains while Axel Kolcio had a long run negated by a holding penalty. Bourne converted a 4th-and-1 at midfield and Tyler Napierkowski took some carries to move the ball deeper into Bear territory. Bourne broke free for a 20-yard gain, John Moyher added a carry and Jones connected with Bourne on a pass to bring the ball to the 2 yard line. Moyher plunged in behind great blocks from Kyle House and Eli Hamman-Shay and the Cougars took a 13-0 lead into halftime.
Undeterred, Berlin took possession in the second half and advanced the ball 39 yards on 11 plays before stalling on the Cougar 20. The HK offense returned the favor by running 11 plays and moving the ball back into Bear territory. An unsuccessful 4th down play gave the Bears the ball back on their own 38 yard line. The resilient Berlin team reeled off a 12-play drive, capped off by a 4th-and-8 touchdown pass from the Cougar 15 yard line. After a successful PAT, the Bears attempted an onside kick with 1:49 to play. A big time play from Tyler Napierkowski thwarted the Berlin attempt to regain possession. However, the Cougars came up just short on 4th down and returned the ball to the Bears on the Berlin 46 yard line with 0:20 left in the game. With three “nailbiter” pass defense plays, the Cougars sealed the victory and moved to 5-1 on the season.
The offense was paced by an outstanding effort from Josiah Bourne (21 carries, 99 yards; 1 reception, 8 yards). The defense had many outstanding contributions – many from Josh Frith, Garrett Whitmer, Owen Jones, Josiah Bourne and Jake McGrath. The Cougars collected 193 yards on 44 plays and earned 11 first downs and the Bears tallied 108 yards on 36 plays and earned 6 first downs.
Next week, the Cougars travel to Cromwell to play the undefeated, defending champion Lions – – – please come out and support the boys!
The Cougar D squad had a bye this week and will play Cromwell (5-0) in week 7.
Photos by Eric Anderson.
