YOUTH FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

By Regina Shiroma

“Third time’s a charm,” so says the cliché.

QB/RB Juan King pulls away from the defender in a tight Matua championship game against the Cowboys on Saturday. (photo by Asha Robles)

And so it was for the Matua Division Giants. Together with Coach Rich Cotellesse, the Giants had made it the championship game the past two years, losing to the Eagles and then to the Angels. But only this year were they able to take home the title, defeating the Southern Cowboys 8-0 Saturday afternoon at Eagle field.

The Giants Juan King had a stellar performance in his last game of the GNYFF  league. As King will be moving up to play in high school next season, the all-around player put his best on the line and it paid off.

In the third quarter, King scored the game’s only touchdown, pounding it in for six-yards amongst a host of Cowboy defenders. Earlier, King had intercepted the ball at the 44-yard line to give his team another chance at the goal and a few more first down runs later, King was in the end zone.

King and his team were eager for a championship trophy after it slipped through their fingers last season.

Juan King, Jr. finishes his youth football career leading the Giants to the championship

“That loss last year hurt, it hurt the whole team. But we just came back and worked harder to try and win it again,” said King.

The Cowboys held their ground in first half and even looked to be the aggressors, however, the Giants entered the second half with even more fire than the first.

“The Cowboys are a great team, I wouldn’t want to challenge them, but they’re great team.”

“We worked hard all season to at least come to the championship, and show what we got, but we worked hard and we came out with the trophy,” said King.

The Giants finished their 2013 season with six wins and one loss.

Metgot

The Hal’s Angels defeated the Jets 14-0. Under the guidance of head coach Troy Lizama, the Angels’ Metgot division MVP, Jaythan Lujan, scored both touchdowns.

Manha

The Hal’s Angels repeated as champions of the Manha division defeating the Saints 20-0. The Angels’ Manha division MVP, Aiden Lumba, scored two touchdowns. Angels’ Manha division offensive player of the year, Noah Medler, scored one touchdown in the win.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

The Giants Napu Topasna tries to break from from a crowd of Cowboy defenders. (photo by Asha Robles)

Marcus Manglona of the Giants pushes his way through a Cowboys’ defender. (photo by Asha Robles)

Juan King lets go of a pass while being flushed out of the pocket. (photo by Asha Robles)

Marcus Manglona of the Giants attempts to take down Cowboys Ethan Naputi. (photo by Asha Robles)

The Giants and Cowboys show a sign of sportsmanship after the game since both teams left it all on the field. (photo by Asha Robles)

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