Rain no deterrent for PPK contestants

NEWTON — While other outdoor activities were cancelled all over New Jersey this past Sunday, an impressive 93 of the 140 youth participants who pre-registered to compete at a local NFL Play 60 Punt Pass & Kick competition showed-up despite the extreme weather forecasts and warnings leading up to Sunday’s contest at Newton High School.
“Fortunately the extreme weather held off for us.” said Shelley Zambardi, the event’s coordinator. “The rain came, but it didn’t dampen the spirit of the contestants who all seemed to have a great time thanks to the Stags Football players, Stags Dancers, US Army personnel and our Newton High School Football players who were on-hand as volunteers to run the contest.”
The rain or shine contest kicked-off on-time at 11am with the Mini’s Dance Team from Perfect Pointe Performing Arts Studio not missing a beat in their first ever on-field performance during one of the day’s promised down pours. “Seeing the Mini’s roll on the field for their stunts and ending their routine in splits as if they weren’t on a soaked football field in the pouring rain was exceptional.” said Zambardi who continued. “Lee Rouson turned to those of us huddled on the field under the Special Guest’s canopy tent and said, ‘I want those girls on my team!”
Lee Rouson is a former NFL Giants two-time Superbowl Champion who attended the PP&K with the Anti-Bully Squad. Rouson, who stayed for the full event despite the rain, advocated encouragingly, “This is a great day for a PP&K. This here is football weather.”
Also showing-up and giving prize performances in the down pour were the Sussex Stags Dance Team, followed by the Sussex County PBA Explorers Brigade who presented the Honor Guard. The National Anthem was sung by Leigh Kean of the Stags. And, the opening ceremony concluded with US Army personnel leading all the youth participants in a pre-contest warm-up which included calisthenics, jumping jacks, squats and push-ups which reminded some onlookers of a determined Richard Gere doing push-ups in the rain in the classic scene from An Officer and a Gentleman.
The rain subsided mostly as the passing, punting and kicking got underway. Contestants were not just local kids, some kids came all the way from East Orange. Tiffany Adams, of East Orange who won 3rd place in the girls age 6-7 division, gave Zambardi a big hug before leaving for the day.
“Seeing all the kids laughing and playing around and having fun despite the rain is the only thanks I needed. But, that hug and thank you from Tiffany was a gold moment for me. It made all the nail biting due to the forecast and all the planning of the day’s event totally worth it,” Zambardi said.
When asked if NBYFL will host a 3rd Annual PP&K event next year Zambardi said, “How can we not?! When you overhear some of the younger kids, who mind you are soaked through, talking about practicing skills they learned so they can win next year, we have to make sure there is a next year.” The Stags and US Army personnel of the Newton Recruiting Station have already committed to another year. “They are the backbone of the event for sure.”
“Getting the community out in support of youth health and fitness is what the day is all about.” said Bill Young, president of the Newton Braves Youth Football League which is the main sponsor of the event. “The event was free for girls and boys ages 6 to 15, no matter their sports interests.” Young added, “Fitness comes with nutrition and being active. And being active can be fun, even in the rain as we have demonstrated here today.” Other sponsors of the day’s event were Toyota and Subaru Worlds of Newton, Anti-Bully Squad, NJ Muscle, and NBLAX.
First, Second and Third Place winners from each division of Sunday’s Local Contest received a Certificate of Excellence and a ribbon. First Place winners got a special Stags t-shirt and received their Blue Ribbon from Newton High School’s Head Football Coach, Matt Parzero, who had his coaching staff and players out in full force as volunteers for the day’s event.
Results of NBYFL’s 2nd Annual NFL Play 60 Punt Pass & Kick local competition at Newton High School on Sunday, June 5:
Boys (14-15) - 1st Kevin Dau, 2nd Jared Florack, and 3rd John Kreusch.
Girls (14-15) - no contestants
Boys (12-13) - 1st Andrik Garcia, 2nd Sean Vivino, and 3rd Aidan Murtagh
Girls (12-13) - 1st Audree Fullman, 2nd Michelle Zaremski, 3rd Erin McLean
Boys (10-11) - 1st Brody Guerra, 2nd Patrick Teets, 3rd Jake Stevens
Girls (10-11) - 1st Sophia May, 2nd Olivia May, 3rd Sierra Trapanese
Boys (8-9) - 1st Nehemiah Tynes, 2nd Devin Pfiefer, 3rd Ty Guzzo
Girls (8-9) - 1st Jade Guerra, 2nd Mashara Edwards, 3rd Jordyn Young
Boys (6-7) - 1st Braxton Guerra, 2nd Evan Cotter, Cole Bolich
Girls (6-7) - 1st Georgina Curlo, 2nd Bella Guzzo, 3rd Tiffany Adams
First place winners will move on to compete in a sectional contest yet to be announced. Winners from the Sectional contest will have their scores compared with other sectional competitions. Sectional Champions will advance to a Team Championship which will be held at Giants Stadium during a home game this fall. Team Championship Winners will advance to a National Finals Competition in January during week 16 and 17 of the regular season.