By: Neil Hay
Players who compete at the Pop Warner Mighty Mites level are getting their first taste of organized football.
"This is an instructional year," said head coach Vic Veltre. "This is the players’ first year in pads with full contact."
Veltre and his assistants are working with an 18-player squad. Aged seven and eight, and weighing between 50 and 85 pounds, this squad of Mighty Mites are fast learners.
"The kids are like sponges," said Veltre. "They have unlimited learning capabilities. They are learning well. I can’t believe their progress. We have nine plays in now, and will add four more for Sunday’s game (against Old Bridge at home)."
Mike Barnaba scored on a seven-yard run up the middle, Allentown’s only touchdown against the Plainfield Vikings Sunday at home. Thomas Sanfilipo ran in the extra point. In Mighty Mites games no score is kept.
"We played great defense, to stop their running game and hold them to three touchdowns," said Veltre. "Our offense needs a little work."
In the numbers game Plainfield won handily, with over 40 players in uniform (compared to just 16 for Allentown, two players under full strength).
"I am real proud of our kids," Veltre said. They held up in the heat."
The Mighty Mites roster includes Eric Veltre, Mike Primerano, Sanfilipo, Barnaba, Conner Nolan, Devin McKenna, Nick Swal, Tony Coppa, Vincent Estelle, and Danny Sandford. Also, Ryan Marks, J.C. Fowler, Bobby Shalack, Nick Candia, Samuel Shonk, Matt Burke, Cody Marks and Mike Thomas.
Assistant coaches are Pat Swal (offense), Mike Thomas and Todd Marks (defense), and Stan Sandford and Bob Shalack (special teams).
