Willow Glen Resident

Sports

Rams claim youth football national title

By Mike Barnhart

An unstoppable offense and an untouchable defense proved to be an unbeatable combination this season for the Willow Glen Rams, a midget division youth football team sponsored by the San Jose Police Activities League.

The Rams won all of the 13 games they played, 10 by shutout. First they captured a local PAL championship, then won two games at the Youth National Championship Tournament in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend.

"It was an amazing season," said head coach Dave Blea, who has coached youth football in Willow Glen for 13 seasons. "Each game had a different star. There were no egos. It was the easiest group of kids I have ever worked with."

After winning eight regular-season games by a combined score of 239-6, the Rams captured the PAL championship with three wins in the playoffs. They dumped Berryessa 34-0 and Eastside Youth Athletic Club 28-0 before whipping a strong Scotts Valley team 26-6 in the final game.

In Las Vegas, the local team of boys, ages 13-14, first beat a team from St. Cloud, Fla., 28-18 before blanking Palmdale 26-0.

Often using an offense with five wide receivers and no other player in the backfield, quarterback Mitch Ravizza passed for 24 touchdowns, half of them going to tight end Randy Aliason. Running back Matthew Blea totaled more than 1,500 rushing yards in the 13 games. Aaron Daniels was a key offensive player, spending time at running back and wide receiver. Guard Nathan Overstreet sparked the offensive line.

Top defensive players were ends David Aguilar and Matt Bohnoff, linebackers Julian Gallegos and Mark Amann, cornerbacks Jesse Fahrner and Jay Delarocha, and tackles Rudy Arevalos and Robbie Arevalos.

"The Rams became the first Willow Glen youth team to ever win a national championship," said Blea, who had four assistants, including his older son, Bryan Blea, Aaron Arasto and Mark Aman.