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St. Anne’s JV Football Gears Up for Playoffs, Varsity Prepares for High School


Last week, The Spirit had a chance to catch up the St. Anne’s Falcons football team. The Falcons compete in the CYO Football League, a faith-based youth football league sponsored by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Even though St. Anne’s school has been closed for quite some time, the parish still sponsors a junior varsity football team of 5th and 6th graders and a varsity team of 7th and 8th graders.

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“The season has been great. The program has continued to grow each year. This year we had a great bunch of kids. We’re just hoping to get better each year,” Jim Galasso, head coach of the Falcons, said. “I’m really proud of the JV team this year, we’re playoff bound and could be headed to the championship.”

The junior varsity team is currently 7-1. Their only loss came at the hands of rival St. Matthew’s, 20-19. When asked what makes their team so good, many of the JV players said sportsmanship, teamwork, hard work and spirit.

Nuncio Davidson, a defensive tackle and offensive tackle, explained the loss to St. Matt’s: “We were winning until we got cocky and ended up losing. Since then we’ve been training harder so that when we see St. Matt’s in the playoffs we’ll crush them and knock them out for good.”

What’s the difference between regular season ball and playoff competition?

“All the teams have more time to train, more time to get better and more time to have revenge and take back the titles,” Michael Wilkowski said.

The JV team will take on the Buxmont Saints in the opening round of the playoffs.

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Meanwhile, the varsity team struggled this year. But despite the losing record, many of the players look back on their time on the team fondly and the team’s eighth graders are preparing for high school football.

Xavier Ocasio, a first year player for the Falcons, said:

“Playing for St. Anne’s has been one of the greatest moments of my life. I feel like the football team has turned into a family for me. I know I have people to turn to if I ever need something.”

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Kevin Lonergan, the varsity team’s quarterback, told The Spirit: “It’s been great playing for St. Anne’s because of the kids and the coaches. I’ve never had coaches who are there for you, encourage you to keep playing and stay motivated.”

Ocasio, Lonergan and several other players of the St. Anne’s varsity team say they plan on playing football for Roman Catholic next year. Others mentioned Father Judge, George Washington High School and Kensington High School.

“We’re teaching all the kids the basics that they can bring into their high school careers. We also teach the 8th grade kids not to rely on mom and dad any more,” Galasso said. “They are about to enter high school and it’s time to take charge of your own life and motivate yourself to achieve. We’re on a team, but we’re still learning how to be independant and take care of yourself.”

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One player who couldn’t participate in practice was 7th grader Jeremy Tejeda. He injured his knee during the first game of the varsity football season and hasn’t been able to play since.

“I was running out and the ball came at me. I fell down on my knee and injured my ACL,” Tejeda said. “I keep seeing the play in my mind all the time, every game it plays over and again.”

Tejeda is on his way to recovery after undergoing a successful surgery in October and is thankful to have a chance to play again next year. Despite his injury he has continued to support the team by coming out to games and to practice.

“Jeremey is a great kid who got hurt at the start of the season,” Galasso said. “He still comes to most of our games and stops by practices. This is his first year playing football and he’s going to be a great football player.”

“I love this sport, these coaches and this team — it’s like a second family to me,” Tejada said. “I’m working hard to get back on the field, working with coaches to get back better than ever.”

Tejada is looking forward to the opportunity to play with kids from the junior varsity squad who will move up to varsity next year. Galasso is excited for the younger kids to move up too.

“Three quarters of the JV team are moving up to varsity, so we’re expecting our varsity to be our strong team next year,” Galasso said. “Now we need newer, younger kids to come in next year and fill in the the open spots on the junior varsity team.”

Best of luck to the St. Anne’s JV football team in your playoff run and best of luck to all 8th graders entering high school next year! Go Falcons!

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