This weekend at the Chelsea Stadium the East Boston Jets F Team brought pride back to Eastie. The Jets, after coming off a 6-0-1 season, won the F Team Title.
The team was led by first head coach Marc Mattera and assistant coaches Dave D’Amelio, Joe Mattera and Steve LaGrassa.
“These guys really stepped up and were able to bring home the championship during a really long hard tough day by playing a four team tournament with style skill and class,” said Mattera. “From the beginning of the first game you could see that these kids had it.”
The little Jets came out swinging in the tournament with running back Brian Munos running like a man possessed. Munos got great blocking from Nico Cardinale and Nicky Mosca, Mason Hidichick as well as the jet offensive line anchor Justin Aiken, Adam El, Louis Bavaro, Kelvin Portillo and Marc Mattera Jr.
After some tremendous defense and good tackling by Nick Lagrassa, Sebastian Padilla, and Dennis Hutchinson the game was all Eastie.
The Jets won the first game 21-7.
In Game two the jets faced there toughest opponent and rival, the Mattapan Patriots, who stole there perfect season in a 7-7 tie. Before the game you could feel the tension of the whole stadium.
From the start coach Mattera and D’Amelio put together a great game plan that seem to rattle Mattapan’s defense by unloading a heavy dose of Munos working with quarterback Justin Londano.
Mattapan could not find the answer for Munos. The Jets’ little speedster did his usual dancing by defenders.
Late in the game and behind Munoz punched in a 5-yard touchdown to take the lead.
With a minute left on back to back plays it looked like Mattapan was gonna score on open field but the Jets saved a touchdown on 3rd down as Adam El made a great one on one tackle to save the win.
Coach Joe Mattera El know how important it was as they advanced to the championship round beating Mattapan 21-14 in a nailbitter.
In the championship Eastie faced a familiar Malden team with good coaching. However, Londono went to his bread and butter running back who would not be denied putting three highlight-rail touchdowns on the board.
The Jets defense was able to shut down Malden’s offense and the Eastie Jets F-Team brought smiles and pride with its first championship.
“Watching this tournament and this team gave me a feeling that I haven’t had in awhile,” said Chris Farulla. “it reminded me of being part of a team and the bonds between teammates. Also watching parents run up to all the players crying and feeling proud was great.”
“When we look back on our lives you begin to realize how important being part of a team and playing sports was to us all,” said Coach Mattera. “The friendships the teamwork the emotions it prepares you for a lot of life’s lessons I know that it did for me. I met my best friend 30 years ago playing sports.”