2023 MFL Super Bowl Champions x3!!!

   

   

   

The Rutherford Jr Football & Cheering program made history Saturday night by winning (3) Meadowlands Football League Championships in a dominant fashion. The Rutherford Bulldog Peewees (10-1) played the New Milford Knights (9-2) in Elmwood Park for the MFL Pee Wee Super Bowl.  The Dogs (8-9 year olds) started with the ball and Charlie LaGreca scored quickly but the extra point was missed.  On the kickoff Luke Barnes recovered the ball after it was fumbled by the Knights.  Shortly after that Luke Barnes scored and Charlie LaGreca converted the extra point.  New Milford started their first offensive possession but couldn’t get going.  On Rutherford’s next possession Luke Barnes scored again and converted the extra point.  On the Knights next drive, they were able to move the chains but could not score. Luke Barnes was able to punch in one more for Rutherford right before the half. New Milford started with the ball in the second half but fumbled a snap which was recovered by Harry Adams. The Knights were able to stop Rutherford on their next drive and New Milford scored on their next possession. Rutherford replied with another touchdown by Charlie LaGreca but missed the extra point. The Knights scored again on their next possession.  Rutherford ran down the clock to end the game. The game ended with a score of Rutherford 33 - New Milford 13, crowning the Pee Wee Bulldogs Super Bowl Champs. The 2023 Pee Wee Bulldogs: Antonio Rodriguez, Archer Modica, Brandon Byrne, Brendan Caughey, Camden Garripoli, Charlie LaGreca, Daniel D’Agati, Daviel Serra, Desmond Fabiano, Eddie Riser, Harrison Byrne, Harry Adams, Jackson Condon, James Bennett, James Connallon, Jaxon Bennett, Jayson Cuce, John Ahearn, Joseph Ferreira, Kevin Calabrese, Luca Ventura, Luke Barnes, Mark Gordon, Michael Gerbasio, Michael Robertson, Michael Urgola, Parker Garofalo and Wyatt Bohn. On a cold Saturday night in Elmwood Park the Rutherford Junior Bulldogs (10-11 year olds) were crowned the 2023 Meadowlands Football League Super Bowl Champions with a 26-6 win over the New Milford Junior Knights. The Bulldog (11-0) offense led by an offensive line consisting of Declan Moran, Owen Byrne, Joey Urgola, Leo Velez, Mark Goldsack, Owen Burbank, Aidan Kealy, and Gavin Nimmo led the way for quarterback Tyler Griffin and running back Ryan Wilton who each dominated a New Milford (7-4) defense who were unable to stop the run game. Wilton accounted for all of Rutherford's points, breaking off for several long runs throughout the day.  Wilton even had an opportunity to show off his arm with a quick pass to tackle Owen Burbank. Griffin ran strong, barreling through the Knights defense on several long runs of his own.  And, despite the windy conditions, Griffin managed to complete a long pass to his favorite wide receiver, Chase Kuenzle.  Frankie Wilton did an excellent job under center, effectively managing the offense and helping to facilitate Rutherford's dominant one two punch of Wilton and Griffin.  The Bulldog defense came to play, only allowing one score to end what was a dominant season. Rutherford linebacker Gavin Nimmo recovered a fumble on New Milford's first offensive possession of the game.  Defensive linemen Jake Barnes and Owen Burbank, linebackers Ryan Wilton and Tyler Griffin and corner Mason Colon all played well, making key tackles during the game.  The defensive highlight of the day belonged to safety Brendan O'Rourke who tipped a New Milford pass that was ultimately intercepted by corner Chase Kuenzle.  Rutherford, led by Head Coach Stephen "Stick" Kuenzle, ends this championship season a perfect 11-0, a fitting ending for a hardworking, well-coached group of young men. In 2018, following a dominant Mighty Mite campaign, the RJF&C class of 2023 collected their first MFL Super Bowl trophy over the Elmwood Park Pee Wee team.  Fast forward to their final year in RJF&C as the now Senior Division (12-13 year olds) Bulldogs, and they needed to travel to Elmwood Park to earn their fifth MFL Super Bowl trophy by defeating the (previously unbeaten) Manchester Falcons (10-1). The game started with Manchester receiving the opening kickoff and driving the ball down to the five-yard line. The Bulldogs bent but did not break, as they kept the offense out of the endzone and took over on downs. The Bulldogs then proceeded to take the ball down the field. RB John Gioia, who handled the bulk of the carries in the game, ran the ball down into the redzone. QB Quinn Weber then hit WR Jojo Marullo on a quick out route for the first score of the night. The Bulldogs defense led by S Will Holman, DE Jack Williams, NG Vin Urgola, DT Chase Martini, and DT Fynn Byrne forced another turnover on downs to put the football back in the hands of Weber. He wasted no time as he found Holman down the sideline, who straight armed his way into the endzone. The Bulldogs continued the aerial assault as Marullo was hit two more times by Weber, the last saw Jojo straight arm a Falcon into the turf enroute to the endzone. RB Zach Snyder followed his line and picked up some key first downs. Gioia ended the game by trucking his way into the endzone behind Martini, Williams and Snyder.  The final score enacted the mercy rule early in the fourth quarter to solidify the trifecta for the Rutherford Bulldogs. The coaching staff of Dennis Davis, Jon Martini, Zach Gryskiewicz, Vin Urgola, Nick Ippolito, and HC Russ Snyder couldn’t be prouder of their team that finished their RJF career 60-3 with five championship trophies. As well as the play on the field was, the cheerleaders half time show was flawless. The Bulldogs collectively put on one great show winning (3) MFL Championships. What a great day it was to be a Bulldog!