Pop Warner football: Vikings score clean sweep September 12 Pop Warner football: Vikings score clean sweep September 12 (September 15, 2004)

By Jim Gallagher
Menlo-Atherton Viking staff

Menlo-Atherton Viking Pop Warner football teams scored a clean sweep Sunday, September 12, at two separate sites, scoring three victories and dominating two non-scoring games in the Mitey Mite (7-9 year old) category.

In Daly City, the homestanding Titan Mitey Mites were no match for the potent Viking Purple, who marched up and down the field at will. The Viking Junior Pee Wees topped the Titans 6-0, the Pee Wees rolled 29-2, and the Junior Midgets routed their Titan opponents 37-0. In Santa Clara County, the Mitey Mite Gold played a close non-scoring contest with the Morgan Hill Raiders.

Mitey Mite Gold

Stephen Chu scored for the Vikes on an interception return, and Weston Izzi ripped off a 40-yard run on a double reverse. Andre Guzman and Aaron Davis hooked up on a spectacular pass play, while Scott MacKenzie and Andrew Kemp-Dahlberg turned in some excellent blocking.

Mitey Mite Purple

In a pea soup fog at Jefferson High, Ryan Gaertner torched the Daly City Titans with two touchdowns, one on a 72-yard run. Ryan Roberts ran 35 yards for a score, while Alex Andrighetto and Khalil (Lil) James racked up a safety. Jack Chilton and Peter (Soccer Boy) Bouret recovered key fumbles as the wet pigskin plagued both teams. Again, the Viking defense held the opposition without a first down.

Junior Pee Wees

Relentless defense paid off for the Vikings in a 6-0 victory over Daly City. Menlo-Atherton mounted a strong running game with Travis McHugh, who scored the lone touchdown, together with Sean Barrett, Keenan Gates and Max Culhane. Aerial fireworks came from McHugh, who launched a long completion to Hale Tussing after a handoff from Patrick Bruni. A defensive highlight was Bruni's spectacular leaping interception.

Pee Wees

Chris Gaertner's kickoff return for a touchdown set the tone for a 29-2 Viking route over the Titans. Marquise Tolson scored twice, on a 22-yard pass from Josiah Paye and an 18-yard run, while Paye sneaked over for another score. Conversions came on Paye passes to Bo Sakowski and Mike Culhane. Brandon Gibson played strong defense, and Gaertner's special teams play was spectacular. Viking Gold and Purple offensive lines allowed no sacks.

Junior Midgets

Malek James scored a touchdown and recovered two fumbles as the Vikings mugged Daly City 37-0 in a game that was out of hand in the first quarter. Other scores came from Rod Nash (25 yard run), Anthony Andrighetto (25-yard punt return), Frankie O'Hare (5 yards), Johnny McDowell (20 yards), and a 71-yard bolt around left end by Brian Carter.

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