Oakmont Pop Warner midgets battle, beat Boston Raiders

Members of the Oakmont Pop Warner Midget squad lift their helmets in victory after posting a stunning upset over perennial powerhouse Boston on Saturday, October 14. The Chargers defeated the Raiders by a score of 22-13.

While historians will tell you that the Boston Massacre took place on King Street in March of 1770, the Oakmont Pop Warner Midget squad will likely tell you that it really occurred at the Arthur I. Hurd Field in October of 2006.

Coming into their Oct. 14 "Saturday Night Lights" showdown against the Boston Raiders, the Midgets knew that this would not only be one of the biggest games of their season, but arguably, one of the biggest games in the proud and storied history of Oakmont Pop Warner.

Historical implications aside, the Chargers had to keep their collective focus on the present, which meant facing a perennial Division 1 powerhouse that was sporting an unblemished 6-0 record. The Raiders' defense had been nothing short of miserly, surrendering a mere 20 points over that six game stretch. The Chargers, on the other hand, were looking to

bounce back from a heartbreaking, last minute loss to Manchester one week earlier. Having been hobbled by some key early season injuries, Oakmont was eager to go out at full strength and prove that they were capable of competing against anyone.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Oakmont made an uncharacteristic miscue in their first drive, allowing Boston to score a touchdown on the turnover. The Raiders then walked the ball into the end zone for the extra point and a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the contest.

Despite the quick score, Oakmont believed that their offensive and defensive lines would keep them in the game. This belief would be confirmed as the Chargers were able to launch a long, slow, methodical drive behind the stellar play of the O-line. Joe Vargeletis, Sean Lehan, Ryan Curtis, and Dominick Polcari all made key rushes during this possession, and Vargeletis would cap off the drive with a strong run up the gut for Oakmont's first touchdown. Quarterback Luke Bakanowsky tacked on the 2-point extra point kick for an 8-7 lead; a lead that the Chargers would carry into the break.

In the second half, Oakmont continued to play smash mouth football, denying Boston's offense the chance to get on track. The defense of Cam Baker, Todd Boisse, Ethan Pfeifle, John Harrington, James Harrington, Connor Lehan, Sean Lehan, Vargeletis, Ray Armstrong, Curtis, Polcari, and Bakanowsky repeatedly came up with huge plays to keep the Raiders off the scoreboard. Among those plays was a key strip by Armstrong and the fumble recovery by Curtis that gave Oakmont the pigskin deep in Boston territory.

Looking to put up some red zone points, Oakmont was facing a critical fourth and seven with the ball just inside Boston's 10-yard line. With his twin brother, Sean, falling to the ground, Connor Lehan hurdled him and snagged a pivotal reception for the first down. Bakanowsky would find his way into the end zone on a quarterback sneak and Oakmont was looking at a 14-7 lead.

Not ready to relinquish their undefeated status, the Raiders were able to break loose on their next drive, using their speed to bring it to the house to cut into the lead at 14- 13. The Chargers' defense stymied the extra point attempt, preserving Oakmont's precarious one-point lead.

After trading possessions, Oakmont began a fourth quarter drive that saw one of the most improbable runs of their season. Vargeletis had seemingly hit a wall of defenders at the line of scrimmage, but somehow found a way to spin outside the tacklers, and ran, untouched, into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night. Bakanowsky tacked on the point-after kick, putting Oakmont up by two scores, 22-13.

Boston would make one last attempt to score, but Armstrong came up with another huge sack and the defense put the kibosh on any thoughts of a Raiders comeback. Oakmont ran off the field the victors, staging its own version of the Boston Massacre - a victory that was secured in the trenches of the offensive and defensive lines.

Jane Peters, Derek Goodall, Steven Brown, Forest Calder, Matt Wojciak, Matt Pippert, Robbie Bartlett, Jake Comeau, Dylan Wyman, Tyler Baranowski, Jon Webb, Kyle Billings, and Ray Pfeifle also made key contributions in what was a total team effort.

The Midget squad will have a busy week as they host a make-up game on Tuesday, Oct. 17, against Northboro/Southboro, and will then travel to Millbury-Sutton on Saturday, Oct. 21.

- Submitted to The Journal