Fountain of Youth

Perfect season!

2008-12-02T22:23:18Z

The Naperville Patriots Mighty Mites football team recorded a perfect 15-0 season, capped off by winning the Midwest Regional Football Classic Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio over Thanksgiving weekend.

The Midwest Tournament started off in dramatic fashion as the Patriots won on a last second touchdown over Mt. Airy, Ohio. Jacob Keller threw a pass to an open Mitch West to advance to the second round with a 12-6 victory.

The Patriots won the second round 12-6 over Mt. Lebanon, Pa. to advance to the championship game played at John Carroll University. The Patriots beat the Cleveland Cowboys 13-6 to win the championship in their weight class.

"I knew that I had a special team when nobody complained about our hard practices during the summer," Patriots Head Coach John Gaca said. "In my years of coaching, I have not seen a group of young men come together and work as a team to this extent. This was truly a special team and season."

]]> Through the course of the 15-game season, the Mighty Mites scored 420 points, while only giving up 37.

Head Coach Gaca was assisted by Offensive Coach Jim McAlpine, Defensive Coach Matt Rayburn, Special Teams Coach Bennett West, Linemen Coaches Doug Grove and John Burkhart and Team Manager Andy Erickson.

Naperville Sabre Mites

2008-11-30T14:03:23Z

The Fountain of Youth would like to congratulate the A2 All-Star team: Way to go!

On behalf of the entire program, assistant coach Tim Stensby would like to announce The Naperville Sabre Mite A2 All Star Hockey team as champions of this past weekend's Wisconsin Dells Water Park Classic Tournament!

The Sabre Mite A2 team won 3 straight games before making it to the Championship game and beating Hoffman Estates for a 4-0 record. The Sabre all stars were able to beat the Hoffman Estates team 2-1 in sudden death overtime!

Be sure to post your congratulations here, using the comment field below!

American Youth Football Peewees

2008-11-30T13:05:52Z

Some photos need no explanation. What a cool shot. Thanks Doug DiFusco!

Doug's the executive director and president of the Naperville Patriots. These are even more pics from the Midwest AYF Championship games Nov. 23 at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Be sure to click on the link below to see a peewee team pic and individual action shots!

And as always, the comment field's here for you...

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THE TEAM

Hey Peewees! Let's put a name with this face. E-mail naperyouthsports.com and tell me the name of No. 7.

Or, simply type his name in the comment field below.

How 'bout No. 26?

American Youth Football Championship

2008-11-26T04:29:38Z

Here's some great mom-and-pop pictures of the Junior Midget's 14-6 win over the Park Ridge Falcons on Sunday at Benedictine University in Lisle.

The big win means Naperville's Junior Midgets will compete for the AYF National Championship Dec. 6-13 in Kissimmee, Fla. The Naperville Sun wishes you good luck!

Be sure to send us all of your pics from Florida while they're fresh! Simply email the Fountain of Youth at naperyouthsports@gmail.com.

And please click on the link below called "Continue Reading American Youth Football Championship" to see more pictures from the game.

]]> What a shot! Love the sunset...

Christian Cunningham everybody!

And Austin Guido!

Wish your Junior Midgets well at nationals by posting a comment below!

St. Raphael girls basketball

2008-11-26T04:18:06Z

The St. Raphael 7B girls basketball started its season with four straight wins, including taking first place in the St. Petronelle tournament.

The Red Wings defeated St. Petronelle, St. Michael and then beat Ss. Peter & Paul in the championship game. St. Raphael also won its regular-season opener versus St. Joseph's 26-11 Saturday at home.

Stephanie Lehocky led all scorers with 12 points followed by Cassie Quick's five.

]]> Stephi Seidelman, Mary Kate Carragher and Desiree Savini all scored. Carragher and Brittany Douglass each had eight steals. MacKenzie Pardonnet grabbed four rebounds.

Naperville Patriots crack nationals!

2008-11-24T18:40:48Z

Naperville Patriot Austin Lacke is tackled by Welles Park Cowboy Ryan Heaton during the Chicagoland/Midwest AYF Championship game Sunday at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Two of the three Naperville American Youth Football teams from the citywide program advanced to the AYF National Championships. They will take place Dec. 6-13 in Kissimmee, Fla.

Here's The Sun's full story. And more pics, exclusive to the brand-new Fountain of Youth sports blog, dedicated solely to Naperville youth sports and activities. Send your pics to naperyouthsports@gmail.com.

Naperville Patriot Troy Fumagalli unsuccessfully tries to block Welles Park Cowboy Gavin Schilling in the Patriots' end zone to score during the fourth quarter. Want pictures of your son here?! E-mail naperyouthsports@gmail.com

Darien Miskel avoids a tackle and carries the ball into the Welles Park Cowboys' end zone to score during the fourth quarter. Come on, what's keeping you? E-mail pics of your football star to naperyouthsports@gmail.com

St. Raphael Football

2008-11-21T18:32:46Z

It all starts with the coin toss, the last moment before both teams take the field and put their very best on the line.

St. Raphael football product Ryan Goff probably doesn't remember if Ss. Peter & Paul won the toss, but I bet he remembers who won this game at North Central College.

Learn more about St. Rapheal football. Then return here, to the Fountain of Youth, to post news, information and general comments about the program and its kids.

Naperville Baseball Association

2008-11-19T22:32:22Z

Many thanks to Stan Goff and Ryan Goff for submitting these photos from their personal scrapbook!

Until you're ready to do the same, the "Fountain of Youth" will continue posting trips down the Goffs' memory lane.

It only takes a photo and an e-mail to begin celebrating your own son's and daughter's well-spent time in youth sports.

Congratulations to Team 29 of the Naperville Baseball Association, especially to the dugout trio of Eric Stahl, Robert Morin and Mark Derrick!