Championship Game

Yellow Jackets (9 - 0) Versus Cheetahs (6 - 1 - 2)

Kells Park 17 November 2001

First Half

The Cheetahs, who lost only one game during the regular season and who won their playoff game against the Jaguars handily, came to Kells Park fired up and determined to win.  Some had died their hair green for the occasion.  They were also confident; and they kept the Yellow Jackets off stride for the entire game.  They had tough forwards, including big # 13 and Carla, who gave the defense and midfielders fits all game.  Mikey Kerrane was at goalie.  # 13 missed a direct penalty kick when Eric was called for a hand foul in the box.  Fortunately, the ball sailed high over the goal, but the Jackets were shaken by that since nothing like that had ever happened to them (this season).  Shortly after that, the Cheetahs scored the first goal of the game; and now the Jackets were really rattled.  There were some accusations against the defense--bickering that would not have happened except for the power and purpose of the Cheetahs.  The Jackets seemed to kick the ball more often to green players than to black.

After the Cheetahs scored their goal, the Jackets went into their SWAT formation.  In this formation Justin is at goalie and there is only one fullback--Bradley.  Everyone else is supposed to clog up the offensive side and get maximum offensive pressure against the opposing goal.  This formation has its risks, of course.

Just before the half ended, Jon Goldman, with the team in SWAT formation, scored a goal for the Jackets.  I'm not certain how it happened since I was the flagman in the first half.  The score of this tense game at the half was 1-1.   Everyone applauded the efforts on both sides at the half.
 

Second Half

The game was just as tense in the second half.  Will took two shots during the game that sailed over the goal; he didn't score a goal in this game.  But Bradley as usual came up big in the SWAT formation.  He stopped the Cheetahs when they just had to be stopped.  The play went back and forth, with neither team taking over, but eventually a Yellow Jacket scored, either Jon Goldman or John Duman (we think).  At that point the Jackets went out of SWAT formation and Mikey Kerrane took over again at goalie.  Toward the end of the game, with the Jackets leading 2-1, the Cheetahs mounted several ferocious rushes.  On one, with perhaps two minutes left, Mikey had an enormous stop.  The parents leaped out of their chairs and applauded furiously.  It seemed the game would never end.

At the end everyone--kids and parents, on both sides--were drained.  It was a great game.  The kids were very happy.  (See the Championship Photo.)  The Dean family, though, is a little sad that things are over as regards Newark Park & Recreation games.  We will miss rooting for the teams (the Braves in baseball, the Cosmos and the Yellow Jackets in soccer).  Will is moving on to play soccer for Tome School.