NMJAA Midget Seahawks win 17th straight game

The Newport-Mesa Junior All-American Midget Seahawks extended their winning streak to 17 games over the past two seasons with a 14-6 victory over the Inglewood Sentinels on Saturday.

The game was not decided until the last series in the fourth quarter. As the season progresses the competition gets tougher. The Seahawks continue to play at a very high level keeping focused on each game, each opponent, supporting each other one play at a time.

The Seahawks gained 145 total yards, 104 coming on the ground and 41 yards from the passing attack. The Sentinels gained 165 total yards, 158 running the ball and only seven yards from passing. While the yardage modestly favors Inglewood, the timing of key plays and ability to play smart football made a real difference on the scoreboard.

The game opened with a Sentinels 10-play drive moving from their own 30-yard line to the Seahawks’ 30-yard line.

On a crucial third-down play the Sentinels tried a double reverse which ended with no gain. The decision made to punt the ball left the Seahawks with their first possession at their own nine-yard line. Keeping the ball on the ground four rushes of five yards, 21 yards, 50 yards, and 15 yards ended with a Seahawk touchdown and a 6-0 lead with 1:13 to go in the first quarter. This sequence became a reality check for Inglewood. Its defense became engaged and the battle began.

On the next Seahawk possession the ball moved from their own 40-yard line back to their own 21-yard line. Inglewood returned the ensuing punt 45 yards to the Seahawk 38-yard line. Two plays later, the Sentinels scored on a 37-yard running play. With the missed extra point the score was 6-6. The Sentinels’ kick-off went into the end zone for a touchback. With 5:09 to go until half time the Seahawks’ nine-play drive was a hard hitting struggle ending with a brutal quarterback sack at their own 45-yard line.

With 1:59 until halftime Inglewood could not move the ball forward. A four-play Sentinels’ series was consumed by the Seahawks defense moving the ball backward three total yards ending the half at 6-6.

The struggle for field position and yardage continued into the third quarter. The key play occurred after a four-play Sentinel series. With a fourth-and-20, Inglewood punted from its own 28-yard line. The 32-yard punt was returned 27 yards to the Sentinel 33-yard line. After an additional 15-yard personal foul penalty was added on to the end of the return, the Seahawks took possession at the Inglewood 18-yard line. Three play, later the Seahawks opened the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass. With a good two-point conversion the Seahawks went up 14-6.

The combination of smart football, winning field position, superb implementation, and hard hitting support culminated in a winning touchdown. The balance of the game was a series of the Sentinels in the uncomfortable position having to throw the ball because of time limitations and the Seahawks staying with a crushing running game to use up the clock.

This game was a field battle between two very good squads. The difference on the scoreboard were all the superlatives used to describe the greatness of “team.” Battling together, playing smart football, and supporting each other and each player implementing their assignment were huge differences to winning the battle.

The Seahawks remain undefeated because 24 players, a great coaching staff, and supportive parents and fans understand superb preparation and smart implementation is a combination for success.

The Newport-Mesa Seahawks are Max Farzine, William Leys, Tyler Narayan, Noah Avinger, Luca Bacci, General Booty, Jake Caldwell, Anthony Davidson, Josh Fritts, Ethan Garbers, Mason Gecowets, Jaden Genova, Danny Hatch, John Humphreys, Charlie Levis, Connor McDonald, Adam Molloy, Mark Redman, Cole Rener, Shane Rooney, Hudson Roth, Christian Roy, Luke Sullivan and Michael Vaughn-Gallegos.

— Reader submission