CYO All-Star FB Game, 2006

Link to 2002 game.
Link to 2003 game.
Link to 2004 game.
Link to 2005 game.

NOTES: High school destinations are tentative! Rosters will be posted at bottom of page.

The 12th annual CYO Blue-Gold 8th grade football All-Star Game was played Saturday Night April 29, 2006, at Widener University. The game was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus DeLaSalle Council # 590 and involved All-Star players from Delaware, Montgomery and Chester Counties in PA, as selected by the coaches. The event helped raise money for the Pediatric Research Charity. The Blue team was comprised mainly of players from Delaware County. The Gold team had players from Chester and Montgomery Counties with a few from Delaware County. The game ended deadlocked at 24 apiece but it took a fierce comeback by the Gold to tie it up and it was a fantastic finish witnessed by a full house at Quick Stadium at Widener.

Last year's game featured two solid defenses with the Blue capturing a 12-6 victory thanks to a last-minute, 90-yard interception return for a touchdown. This year saw a return to offense with both teams focusing on hard running, mainly between the tackles. The teams played 12 minute quarters to be able to get as many players in as possible.

First quarter saw the Gold team unable to move the ball on their initial possession and the Gold punter was unable to get the kick off. Linebacker Bill Tobin (O'Hara) of Blue picked up the blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown and a quick 6-0 lead. Teammate Mike Huf (Bonner) kicked the two-point conversion for an 8-0 Blue lead with 9:51 remaining in the first quarter.

Huf then kicked off to Gold deep man Eric Warden (Malvern) at the 25 yard-line, and he made a nice return to the Gold 40. RB Warden then ran up the middle for 5 yards on first down. He was followed by fellow RB John DiGregorio (O'Hara) for 6 more yards. The Gold went back to Warden for another 5 yard run. Fullback Michael Labor (Prep) then got into the fun for 5 more yards running off tackle. John Ruppert (Bonner) of the Blue had seen enough at this point and stormed in from his defensive tackle position, throwing the Gold carrier for a three-yard loss, quickly changing the momentum. An inside reverse gained three yards but was short of the first down and the Gold was forced to punt. The Blue was then hit with a 5 yard penalty and the Gold elected to go for the first down. Fullback Zach Barbera (Bishop Shanahan) picked up the first down yardage and the Gold was back in business. Blue linebacker Huf and DE Brendan O'Callaghan (O'Hara) teamed up to drop the Gold ball carrier for a two-yard loss. Warden then took a counter and went 7 yards. Paving the way on the drive at this point were OT Lou Cocco (Prep), OG Jack Moran (Malvern), Center Andrew Herm (O'Hara), OG Nick Pension (Malvern), OT Ryan Farrell (Malvern) and TE Chris Colagreco (Shanahan). Despite making steady progress on the ground the Gold decided to test the Blue defensive backfield and paid for it when safety Matt Moriarty (Bonner) picked off the pass at the 10-yard line, thwarting the Gold Drive.

QB Wally Rutecki (Bonner) led his team back on the field and the Blue showed they could run the ball also, having RB Eric Petransky (Bonner) pound into the heart of the Gold defensive line. Deep in their on territory Blue went for it on 4th and two and RB Jake Butts (Episcopal) bulled his way for a first down. Blue used another run by Petransky and two by Butts to secure another first down. OT Brian Clancy (Haverford High), OG Mickey France (O'Hara), Center Chuck Naimoli (O'Hara), OG Joe DiTrolio (Malvern) and OT Joe Whinnery (O'Hara) kept the chains moving. The first quarter ended with Blue ahead 8-0. The Blue retained possession to start the second quarter with Butts gain another first down on a reverse. Blue RB Max Curran (Bonner), the defending CYO sprint champion, bounced a run outside and sped 53 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead for the Blue. Huf was perfect again on the conversion kick and it was 16-0.

The ensuing kickoff was short and Bill Mancini (Malvern), on the second line as a blocker, took the kick and looked for running room. He shook off a few tackles and cut back against the grain covering 42 yards before being brought down. The Gold then ran an inside counter to Danny O'Hara (O'Hara) who went 30 yards for a touchdown making it 16-6 favor Blue. The kick was no good.

Jimmy Jones (Malvern) was back deep for the blue and fielded the kickoff at the 20. He advanced to the 30 yard line before being stuck by Christian Green (Malvern). The Blue mixed runs by FB Nick Kosinski (Carroll) and HB Dan Curry (O'Hara) to pick up a few first downs before facing a 4th and 1. The blue tried a QB sneak but the versatile Mancini, who in addition to handling the kicking duties, made a key stop from his DT position allowing Gold to take over on downs.

Gold QB Ryan Laughlin (O'Hara) came out throwing and hit WR Brendan Mundy (Shanahan) with a 20 yard pass. RB Danny O'Hara then ran for 8 more yards. Blue linebackers Mike Iannacone (Prep) and Bill Tobin then stuffed two running plays before Zach Barbera was able to pick up a first down. The Gold drive stalled and the first half ended with the Blue ahead 16-6.

The Blue received the kickoff to start the second half and RB Dan Oakly (O’Hara) ran several times, picking up a first down. The Blue tried to catch the Gold off guard and threw a deep pass but it was intercepted by DB Joe Nassib (Malvern) of the Gold.

Eric Warden of the Gold ran three straight plays setting up a key 4th and 1. DT Austin Fox (Bonner) and Safety Sean O'Reilly(Bonner) stopped the play giving Blue the ball back.

RB Oakly started things off with a 5 yard gain behind a key block by OG Joe DiTrolio and Center Dan McKelvey (Episcopal). Flanker Joe Addona (O'Hara) ran a reverse 20 yards. QB Chris O'Brien (Episcopal) rolled out and hit RB Jake Butts for the touchdown and a 22-6 lead. Huf split the uprights for what appeared to be a commanding 24-6 Blue lead.

Gold brought in RB Andrew O'Connell (O'Hara), who worked outside, and Barbera, who ran up the middle, to move the ball down the field. Some penalties against the Gold slowed them down and they turned the ball over when Blue DE Matt English (Bonner) made a big stop on a 4th and 3 play.

The Blue then fumbled inside their own 10 yard line. After a penalty pushed the Gold back Danny O’Hara caught a screen putting the Gold at the 7 yard line. FB Michael Labor ran it in for a touchdown cutting the lead to 24-12 with 4 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Again the kick was blocked.

The Blue put the speedy Max Curran back deep and he fielded the Mancini kick off and turned up field but was hit hard by Green, who once against hustled down to make a big special teams play to go along with is strong blocking from the TE spot for the Gold. The Blue had several short gains but faced a 4th and 1 and the Gold again stepped up and stopped them taking possession with 9:45 to go in the game.

The Gold clearly had things going their way but almost blew it with penalties. They finally pulled out the half back option play with RB O'Connell hitting WR Mundy in stride for a 44 yard touchdown pass cutting the lead to 24-18. The conversion was no good.

The Blue again had trouble getting going on offense and on 4th and 2 Mancini broke through and threw the Blue QB for a 12 yard loss. The Gold then ran several plays but failed to convert a first down inside the blue 10 yard line. The Blue had the ball back with a 24-18 lead and 3:47 remaining. They picked up one first down before facing a 4th down. Blue tried to convert the first down rather than punt but were just short and Gold had the ball back with less than two minutes to go. Danny O’Hara ran several times for the Gold getting it down to the five yard line. QB Laughlin then threw a screen pass to O'Hara, who scored to tie things at 24-24. The Gold had come back from a 24-6 deficit and was now in a position to go ahead. Once again they failed to convert, this time on a pass play and it remained 24-24.

The Blue then had one more chance to score with 30 seconds left but could not do so and the game ended in a 24-24 tie.

This was a well played game with many individual talents, especially at running back. Players that stood out for the Gold were Bill Mancini, Christian Green, Eric Warden, Andrew O'Connell, Danny O'Hara and Brendan Mundy.

Players who stood out for the blue were Mike Huf, who played well at linebacker and did the kicking, OL and long snapper Matt Williams (O'Hara), Jake Butts, Brian Clancy and Bill Tobin.

Many of this years players will be headed to Inter-Ac Schools Malvern Prep and Episcopal Academy as well as attending defending Catholic League Red Division Champion St. Joe's Prep and runner up Cardinal O’Hara High School and Monsignor Bonner. West Catholic may have a few from this year’s class as will their Blue Division rival Archbishop Carroll. Bishop Shanahan of Chester County will also get many of this year's players.

Rosters to come . . .