The 10-and-under Giants youth football team opened their season with a hard-fought loss against the Brooklyn Pride Lions on Saturday in East River Park. Fearless kickoff coverage by the Giants on the game’s opening play nearly led to a fumble deep in Lions territory. The Brooklyn club held on, however, and went to work with a versatile and devastating ground game. The final score was 26-7.
Brooklyn’s early probes against the center of the Giants line were contained by a meaty Downtown defense.
“Our defense played a wonderful game,” Julian Swearengin, head coach of the 10-and-under team, said, pointing out that some returning starters were only able to practice for two weeks before the first game. Five starters were playing their first ever game of organized football. The entire Giants program is now only in its second year.
Standouts on the Giants defense included linebacker Oliver Michaud, nose guard Sean Gannon, linebacker Andrew Nunez and safety Jarod Turner.
Frustrated inside, however, Brooklyn sent its explosive backs wide and around end for enough big gains to build a comfortable cushion at the half.
Trailing 20-0, the Giants vowed to improve and win the second half. They did just that, outscoring their opponent 7-6 the rest of the way by slowing the Pride Lion’s backfield and wearing down the defense.
With the defense clamping down, the Giants offense starting clicking.
Running backs Wolfgang Novogratz and Kyle Frankle, led by fullbacks Edison Bido and Matthew Knaus, fought for tough yards all day, despite poor field position.
“The offensive unit will improve each week as they practice more together,” said coach Swearingen. “The running backs will learn the tendencies of their lead blockers. We’ll get stronger with more practice time.”
Brennan Giffin completed a key 12-yard third down pass to the versatile Ethan Jakuel, who played tight end, wide receiver and guard. Edison Bido provided solid blocking in his debut at fullback.
Late in the forth quarter, the Giants finally hit pay dirt. Running back and quarterback Wolfgang Novogratz scored the lone Giants touchdown on a 70-yard scamper. Fullback Sean Gannon punched in the conversion behind crushing blocks by teammates William Natal and Ryan Luera.
On the next play, Giants defensive tackle and fullback Matthew Knaus squibbed a perfect onside kick to the left side of a surprised Lions line.
The bouncing ball was covered by a diving Harris Pergament, giving
Downtown a final chance to rally as the clock ticked out.
The offense was lead by quarterback
Brian Giffin, who showed courage in the pocket behind an all-rookie offensive line. This rookie squad included Henry Costello, Christian Novogratz, Ryan Luera, Sean Skeeters, Michael Banks and Jack Weil, all of whom battled hard for four quarters against a very quick Pride Lions team. Gaining confidence as the game went on, Downtown’s best plays came late in the game when the backfield and line had worn down the Brooklyn defense. Harris Pergament was excellent in his first game at center, snapping perfectly throughout the contest.
