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Mighty Mites Win Championship in OT Thriller
On Sunday, October 28 the 2007 Orange County Youth Football Mighty Bowl Tournament was played at West Point's Michie Stadium. Eight teams (ages 6-8) were invited to attempt possession of the 2007 Mighty Mite Trophy. The rules for gaining possession of the trophy were simple; win three straight games or elimination by loss. The teams playing the tournament series were Goshen Blue, Goshen Red, Marlboro, Middletown, Newburgh, Valley Central Gray, Valley Central Blue and West Point's Junior Black Knights Mighty Mite team.
Middletown, Newburgh, Valley Central Gray and the Junior Black Knights easily won their first round games. In the semi-finals, Middletown overcame Marlboro while the Black Knights upset Newburgh. After three hours of marathon football, the final stage was set, Middletown vs. the Junior Black Knights for the right to posses the 2007 Mighty Mite Trophy.
In what will be remembered as one of the most thrilling games played at Michie Stadium, the Junior Black Knights won the tournament in dramatic fashion as they edged Middletown Middies 14-7 in overtime. The Black Knights were losing 7-0 when their star quarterback Benny Storms scored on the final possession in regulation to force overtime. Benny used his 'big boys,' Matt Schmidt, T.J. Bryant and Eddie- Joe Barry to keep the Middletown defense away as he ran in for the tying score - sending the hometown crowd into a frenzy.
The overtime coin-toss was won by Middletown and their offense was set at the 10-yard line as per overtime rules. The Middies had four downs and twenty yards to attempt a score. However, the Junior Black Knights defense was phenomenal allowing only a handful of yards in the first three downs. On fourth down, Brian Kelly Jr. blazed through the Middletown offensive line and sacked their quarterback for a loss. The wild home crowd could feel the momentum swing as the Black Knights offense was taking the field.
The coaches were relying on their tired offensive line to give them one more set of downs. The Black Knight offense did not disappoint, scoring on their first possession in overtime as Benny Storms scored on a swing to the left. A wild scene unfolded on the field as the parents, fans, and players flooded the field to take part in the victory. This was the Mighty Mites first tournament win and ended an impressive first year for head coach Brian Kelly of Garrison. Mr. Kelly told his players after the long day that this was truly a team effort as every player was utilized and had key plays at some point during the long, three-game day. He summed it up by saying "The trophy belonged to each member of the 2007 Junior Black Knights Mighty Mites."
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