Butler strikes 'Gold'
The odds were not in its favor.
Passion and heart were.
The Butler Gold junior varsity football team (ages 9-10) made history Sunday at NexTier Stadium in Jackson Township, defeating Seneca Valley 18-7 to win the United Youth Football League's JV Super Bowl.
This marked the first Butler JV team to win the Super Bowl in the seven years the Butler Area Midget Football League program has been part of the UYFL.
Butler varsity teams (ages 11-12) have won the Super Bowl twice.
“The atmosphere there was fantastic,” Butler Gold coach Todd Simko said. “We probably had 1,000 people from Butler in that stadium supporting these kids.”
Butler Gold ended its season with a 10-1 record, dropping only a 12-6 decision to Mars in the regular season. That loss was avenged during the playoffs.
Seneca Valley entered the Super Bowl game undefeated, allowing only 12 points all season. Butler and SV did not meet during the regular season.
“We had 75 plays on our play sheet and we ran a hurry-up offense,” Simko said. “We used four-wide sets, power formation, traditional wishbone formation ... Their (SV) defense didn't have time to adjust to what we were doing.
“Our kids were so focused the entire game. I don't think we took one penalty.”
Simko said Butler forced a turnover on SV's first possession, then used a 10-play drive to score the game's first points in the opening quarter.
“That was the first time Seneca Valley's trailed in a game all season,” Simko said.Colte Fischer rushed for 100 yards and all three Butler Gold touchdowns. Nicco Baggetta threw a touchdown pass. Deacon Simko had 150 combined yards rushing and receiving.Butler's defense forced four turnovers. Baggetta and Charlie Rodgers had interceptions, Simko an interception and fumble recovery.Jordan Vicarri had 7.5 tackles, Avery Rudolph and Fischer six tackles each.Butler Gold converted four fourth-down plays in the game, two resulting in touchdowns.“Our last two practices were at the high school stadium and (Butler High School coach) Eric Christy was there supporting the kids. He texted me right after the win Sunday. He's been behind these kids the entire way.”Lance Rihn, a member of the BAMFL board, was Butler Gold JV coach last year before moving up to the varsity this season. He came back to help coach Butler Gold through the playoffs.“Once our (varsity) season was over, Todd asked me to come back and help coach the offense,” Rihn said. “I was proud to come help out such a special group of kids.“Before they took the field Sunday, you could tell they wanted to do something special. They wanted to win that game badly.”Rihn said he hopes Simko joins him as offensive coordinator for the BAMFL's Butler varsity team next year. Most of the starters on the Butler Gold championship team will be moving up.“Wed had 30 kids out for flag football this year,” Rihn said. “Our goal is to get 50 kids out next year and get them introduced to Butler football.“We're really trying to build this program from the ground up. This (Butler Gold) win will help.”
