Members of the Markham Raiders tykes football team celebrate their victory in the inaugural T. Litzen Bowl after a 50-18 win over the Halton Cowboys in Burlington.
Raider tykes thump rivals in bowl game
Mike Fascione isn't usually one who is at a loss for words.
But last Saturday, the Markham Raiders tyke head football coach was almost speechless.
That's because his youthful players, who one week earlier became the first team in the Raiders' organization to win a Central Minor Football Ontario title, proved that was no fluke after they captured the inaugural T. Litzen Bowl with a resounding 50-18 win over the Halton Cowboys in Burlington.
Raiders' quarterback Elijah Blake ran and passed for one touchdown while running back/linebacker Ismael Castro ran for two majors and picked off a pass for another major.
Wide receiver Iulian Corila Firica hauled in a touchdown pass and running back/linebacker Noah Smith ran for a touchdown.
Kicker Robert Barbieri booted four converts and caught a pass for a convert.
For his efforts in the game, Smith was named the game's most valuable player.
“I'm not at a loss for words usually never,” an elated Fascione said. “But I'm so proud of the boys to bring home a provincial championship to Markham and the Raiders' organization.”
Good practices
Entering the contest, Fascione saw no reason who his team couldn't vie for the title. This despite not knowing much about their opponents, who won the Southwest Ontario Football Association of Leagues title.
But in the days leading up to the final, Fascione felt his players went through some good practices.
“All of our coaches had the feeling at the practices through the weeks that we were going to do well based on the enthusiasm of the kids winning their Central Ontario Minor Football League Championship the prior weekend and we were just going to go have some fun and see what happens,” he said. “The boys came out firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball.”
“I was concerned about the margin of victory because I don't believe in running up a score. Our coaches teach the boys to win and lose with class.”
Reflecting on the final, Fascione felt a total team effort was the key ingredient to their success.
“I believe the key to the success as the dedication of the boys to play together as a team and they believed they could achieve the ultimate goal and that was the championship,” he said. “We seemed to hit our stride at the same time on offence and defence.”
Source:
Hayakawa, Michael. “Raider tykes thump rivals in bowl game.” The Markham Economist & Sun 26 November 2009.