The success of the Saints Peter and Paul School football program added a new chapter recently when our Jr. Varsity squad (fifth and sixth graders) ended their Suburban Parochial Football League campaign having captured both the regular season and post season championships.

Coached by Bill Takahashi '88, it is fair to say that the Trojans truly dominated the league from start to finish. Not only did they post a perfect 8-0 record, but they were also unscored upon during the entire season.

These boys became the fourth Saints Peter and Paul team to capture both crowns since 2008.

"It's a proud moment said," head coach Bill Takahashi '88, "and a real credit to our players and coaching staff. We started training in mid-August before school even started and for ten weeks the boys spent three days a week practicing, watching game film, and then playing a game on Sunday. Their commitment and dedication were exemplary."

Bill's staff included Athletic Association football chairman, Joe O'Malley, Mike Deering, John Kowalski, Chad Jacobs, Tony Dentice, Scott Hoeppel, Scott Bentley, Nick Perrino, Kirk Potucek, Shawn Lapean, Steve Keough, and John Gordon, as well as John Pcolinski and Mark Gatto. It should be noted that the last of John Pcolinski's two children, Matt , graduated five years ago while Mark's daughter, Amanda, is an alumna from the Class of 2006. "It's a tribute to our athletic director, Mike Chiarito, and the entire Athletic Association," said principal Karen Meskill, "that so many former parents continue to be so actively involved on our school's behalf long after their children have matriculated."

"While this was a very talented group of student-athletes," voiced Chiarito, who has been at the helm of the school's athletic program for twenty-five years, "it was just as important that the boys demonstrated good sportsmanship, maintained high academic standards, conducted themselves appropriately in the classroom and on the field, and had fun. That makes this accomplishment even more satisfying."

Athletic Association president Shawn Lapean, who was also one of the coaches, observed that the team was well supported by the school families, cheerleaders, classmates, and the teaching staff. "It was also great to have Fr. Milota encourage the students when the squad attended the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass as well as having him on the sidelines for many of our games this season including, of course, the championship tilt," he added. "Fortunately, we didn't need him to design a Hail Mary pass play."

"This squad has a lot of good football ahead of them," reflected coach Takahashi. "I look forward to leading them again in the future."