Success the first time around is no guarantee it will happen again. Monroe Lions Head Coach Matthew Duffy’s fifth-grade youth football team had learned that valuable lesson last season, when they beat Newtown in the regular season, only to lose to them in the championship game.
Now the Lions face a similar situation, squaring off against a familiar foe in the American Youth Football Shoreline League Championship game at North Haven High School this Saturday at 11 a.m.
Fresh off Monroe’s convincing 31-12 playoff win against Southington at Masuk High School last weekend, Pomperaug is the only team standing in the undefeated Lions’ way.
Pomperaug went 6-2 in the regular season, including a 12-0 loss to Monroe and a loss to Newtown. Pomperaug avenged the Newtown loss with a 32-18 win to advance to the Championship game and is now looking for payback against the Lions.
“We beat them. It was a tight game, but they have certainly improved from last year,” Duffy said of Pomperaug. “The coaching staff and I feel that the players are focused on this weekend despite all of the distractions, and we’re confident that they will bring their best tomorrow.”
Over the course of their season, the Lions became known for their balanced offense and a defense that routinely shuts down opposing offensive attacks.
“Our offense changes week-to-week depending on the game flow, a passing game or running game,” Duffy said. “Our defense is extremely disciplined. This is the only game we allowed multiple scores,” he added of the most recent win over Southington.
“The biggest thing that impresses me for all the years I’ve been doing this, is how unselfish this team is,” Duffy said.
The Lions have 34 players, so the same ones are not always the stars from week to week, when others step up and make big plays for the win. But rather than sulking, Duffy said everyone shows a genuine joy in supporting their teammates’ success for the overall good of the team.
Taking control
Last Sunday, the Lions’ dominant rushing attack led to a commanding 25-0 halftime lead against visiting Southington. Offensive linemen Max Bartling, Colton Vincze, Harrison Grant, Rocco Velotti and Caleb Dunlavey paved the way for four scores.
Running back Luke Dunlavey, Caleb’s twin brother, scored on a long touchdown run in the first quarter to get Monroe on the scoreboard.
Then quarterback Brian Marini scored on two long TD runs in the second quarter, before Luke Dunlavey broke free again for another long TD run before the half.
“We were leading 25-nothing at halftime. We were pretty much in control of the game,” Duffy said. “It got kind of scary in the third quarter. They scored back-to-back touchdowns.”
Southington scored a TD on a long pass, recovered an onside kick, and scored on another long passing play, according to Duffy.
But the Lions recovered the ensuing onside kick and drove for the clinching TD, capped off by a long run by Marini.
“We went more conservative on offense, running and chewing up as much clock as possible,” Duffy said of the Lions’ offensive philosophy for the rest of the game. “I want to credit my offensive line for the way they played throughout the entire game.”
While the Lions’ offense played ball control, the defense settled down to keep Southington out of the end zone.
“A key factor to our success was our defensive line, particularly Max Bartling, who had at least 8 tackles in the backfield,” Duffy said of his star defensive tackle.
The coach said Caleb Dunlavey also made a lot of plays along the Lions’ disruptive defensive line.
Duffy said he and his coaching staff like what they’ve seen in their players as they prepare for the championship game against Pomperaug.
“At this point in the season we’re not installing a lot of new things,” he said. “We’re tightening up and just directing our energy on our opponent.”
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