In 2007, the Robbinsville PAL Junior Ravens were a new football program playing its first year in the rugged SJIYFA, one of the best youth football leagues in New Jersey. And it showed. For example, the Robbinsville 75’s Varsity, 90’s JV and 90’s Varsity went a combined 4-18-1.
What a difference a year makes.
In 2008, many coaches and players from the 2007 75’s and 90’s returned as members of the 90’s. They were determined to work hard and apply lessons learned to make the second year a success. They did – in memorable fashion.
The Junior Ravens 90’s Junior Varsity, led by Head Coach Steve Twamley and assistants Anthony Palmer, Roger Kale and Brian Wojton, finished the regular season with a 6-2 record – the best in the Junior Ravens program. They now face perennial power Willingboro in the first round of the SJYIFA JV Tournament.
The Junior Ravens 90’s Varsity, fresh off a 41-0 win over Bordentown, rode a three-game winning streak and a 4-3 record into the season finale at NFC South division Seneca. The high-flying Golden Eagles, at 6-1, were playing for the coveted number one seed in the SJIYFA playoffs and a first round bye. The Junior Ravens were playing for their playoff lives. Win and get in – for the first time. Lose and go home.
The Ravens struck first on their opening drive. Behind the blocking of center Dave Beamer, guards Zakee Scranton and Kyle Mayer, tackles Alex Zoltanski, Taylor Campbell and Austin Williams and tight ends Greg Campion and Kyle Twamley, all-everything back Andre Williams burst up the middle for a 48-yard run down to the 6-yard line. Three plays later, Williams powered in from the 1-yard line and the Ravens led 6-0.
The Golden Eagles struck back. While Robbinsville stuffed Seneca on four downs on their next possession, the promising Ravens drive that followed was thwarted by a turnover. Working with a short field and behind a tall offensive line, Seneca’s talented backfield executed a mix of passes and runs well and scored to tie the game, 6-6. The score remained knotted going into halftime.
The Ravens took the opening kickoff and began moving down the field. Again, the Seneca defense forced a turnover. Again, Seneca had excellent field position. And again, the Golden Eagles capitalized, scoring the go-ahead touchdown. However, the Ravens defense rose up to stop another extra point try, and Seneca led 12-6.
For the balance of the third quarter and for much of the fourth quarter, a spirited defensive battle ensued. Late in the fourth, it appeared that Seneca’s superior size was wearing down the smaller Ravens. But looks can be deceiving.
On second and one at the Ravens’ 30, Taylor Twamley blitzed from his corner spot and nailed the Seneca quarterback for a seven-
yard loss. This was a turning point, as the fired-up Ravens defense, led by ends Dylan James, Kyle Twamley and Corey Kale, tackles Campbell, Joe Gaynor and Austin Williams, linebacker Andre Williams, Kenya Williams, Andrew Aromando and Zoltanski, corners Scranton and Taylor Twamley and safety Austin Lewis, grounded the Eagles on the next two downs. The Ravens offense then took over on their own 37.
What happened next, in the final few minutes, will be long-remembered by those who were there. Taking a direct snap, Andre Williams slid to his left and threw a majestic bomb, hitting the speedy Austin Lewis in stride. Lewis ran untouched into the end zone to complete a brilliant 63-yard touchdown play to tie the score at 12-12. After a penalty moved the Ravens back to the eight, quarterback Andrew Aromando, who completed four of six passes on the day, calmly rolled right and fired to Kyle Twamley, who was one step behind double-
coverage in the right corner of the end zone. Twamley hauled it in, and the Ravens regained the lead at 13-12 with about two minutes to play. It was a lead they would not relinquish – but not without more drama.
Seneca was on the march. The Golden Eagles completed some short passes and were methodically moving the chains. But the Ravens’ pass defense, led by Andre Williams, Kenya Williams, Taylor Twamley, Scranton and Lewis, broke up several long pass attempts. James and Zoltanski applied pressure with the pass rush. And Aromando made a big open field tackle to foil a well-executed reverse. In the end, the Ravens held and the celebration began.
The Junior Ravens travel to play powerful division rival Northern Burlington in the first round of the playoffs.
75 POUNDS
The Robbinsville 75-pound Junior Ravens outplayed the Westville Gators and won the Turkey Bowl, 19-12. The Ravens wrapped up a very successful second season in the South Jersey Youth Football League.
The Junior Ravens were led by quarterback Garrett Bilgrav, who completed three passes for 20 yards. Catching passes were Brent Grocott, Ian Winn and Paul Cooke. Halfback Jack Lipschutz had another big game rushing for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Halfback Dominic Rodriguez rushed for 62 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season. Branford Kanagawa also ran well and scored an extra point. The Hogs (offensive line) played well and were led by Jake Veres, Ishaan Attri, Dominic Riggs, Eli Winn, Paul Cooke and Ian Winn.
Defensively, the Ravens were led by their linebackers, Branford Kanagawa, Garrett Bilgrav, Jack Lipschutz and Dominic Rodriguez. Defensive ends Paul Cooke and Ian Winn dominated the line of scrimmage, pressuring the Gators all night. Defensive lineman Dominic (pancake) Riggs, Jake (butter) Veres, Ishaan Attri and Eli Winn played fantastic run defense. Cornerbacks Jack Shea and Brent Grocott contained the Gators’ offense and made great tackles.
The Robbinsville Rookie Ravens (Vince Grocott, Brandon Rzuczek, and Hunter Borne) moved up and played above their weight class to help the team to victory.

