Berlin JV Football Remains Unbeaten

By Rick Volk

Colder football weather has arrived, but the Berlin JV football team remains hot. The Redcoats defeated Platt JV on Saturday 35-6, to run its record to 6-0 on the season. Quarterback Alec Norton threw three touchdown passes in the victory.

After stopping Platt on its opening series, Berlin converted two key fourth-down plays, with Norton hitting, first, Anthony Sisti, and then Jake Eliades. Eliades made a great catch near the goal line. Berlin opened the scoring on the following play, a short run by fullback Dan McLeod, behind the blocking of Billy Conticello and Joe Inturri.

Platt’s next possession led to a touchdown, with QB Jovani Manon scrambling in from 14 yards out. The play was set up a Manon pass to Dewayne DeMace. Inturri and Nate Campbell combined to stop the 2-point conversion to retain a 7-6 lead.

Berlin struck again late in the first half. Following favorable field position created by Eric Garcia’s kick return, Norton ran twice on keepers for 15 and 8 yards, and then used play action to hit Jake Eliades in the end zone with a pass.

The second half was all Berlin. After a defensive stand, Norton ran for 22 yards, and later hit Connor Morrin with a 20-yard touchdown pass. Another Berlin defensive stop, which featured a QB sack by Devin Reilly and a gang tackle on a fourth down screen pass, was the prelude to Berlin’s fourth touchdown. McLeod’s run with a Norton pass and his power run after a handoff, set up Norton’s 2-yard touchdown throw to Sisti.

Jeremy Eliades scored Berlin’s last TD on the last of his three runs inside the 10-yard line. Norton had previously found Jonathan Plastosz on deep pass for 33-yards.

Last year’s Redcoat JV game against Platt was cancelled due to the storm and subsequent power outages. The 2010 game saw a Berlin victory in Meriden.

Berlin’s season continues next Saturday, November 11, at Bloomfield High, at 9:30.