The 2024 8th-grade football team finished with a great season. With their hard work and determination the 8th-grade football team finished undefeated in their conference and went 6-1 overall. 

Some of the team’s players were interviewed to find out more about the season.  Players interviewed were Biagio Pietrafese, Dario D’Agostino, Lamar Hill, Domenic Tagg, and Chistian Ross.

According to the players some big highlights of the season were Biagio Pietrafese’s putting player on the ground with a stiff arm against Kenston, De’Onta Wortham’s safety vs Willoughby, and Jonah Koret catching the ball over many defenders’ heads. These were some of the greatest highlights throughout the season. 

According to the players interviewed, some of the key offensive players were Jonah Koret, Dario D’Agostino, Biagio Pietrafese, Christian Ross, and Logan Eady. They helped their team to many victories. Logan Eady was a key offensive player because he got through the line and found space to run the ball. Christian Ross’s ability to run the ball after each catch was very good. Biagio Pietrafese has it all the way around. He is a great leader, blocks like a savage, and never gives up. Dario D’agostino is the key to the offense as the quarterback. Jonah Koret is extremely fast and his ability to catch is very good. 

The players stated that key defensive players were De’Onta Worthams, Dominic Delguyd, Daniel Jaccucci, and Luke Zamecnik. De’Onta Worthams speed and strength can not be matched. Dominic Delguayd reads the plays well and gets to the ball quickly. Daniel Jacobucci is the best open field tackler out there and Luke Zamenick is the leader of the defense, who hardly makes any mental mistakes.

Players expressed that teamwork played a big role in their success throughout the season. It helped them stay tight as a team. The team had great team chemistry. They all fit well together, played well together, and they all knew as long as it got done it didn’t matter who had to get it done.

In regard to what makes this team special, Coach Brian Stephens states, “It’s easy to respond when things are going well. But when things go wrong, then you see what you are made of,  and this team never gives up.”   Coach Stephens then continued  “This is a complete team and they played selflessly and put team goals ahead of their own.  I have terrific assistants in Jon Hrestak and Sam Stollar.”

The best game for the 8th graders was the game against Willoughby. Willoughby was the most skilled team they had played all season. Both Mayfield and Willoughby were undefeated so it was a big game for the Wildcats and a chance to win the conference championship. The 8th-grade team got up on them early but struggled to close out the game because the Willoughby players were bigger and more physical. With less than a minute to play the Wildcats led 31-26 and were lined up to punt.  Willoughby did not align a defender on Christian Ross, Dario D’Agostino recognized their error and instead of punting the ball he threw it to Christian for a long gain.  Dario threw it to Chistian again for a touchdown a few plays later and the Wildcats beat Willoughby 38-26 to win their last game of the season. Coaches and players were very proud because the previous year they had two losses: one to Kenston and one to Willoughby. But this year they beat them both with their determination and execution. 

Finally, Coach Stephens wanted to give a special shout out to the offensive linemen.  They are hard workers and Coach Stephens thinks they deserve more credit .  The specific players he shouted out were Andrew Koballa, Luke Zamenick, Lamar Hill Jr, Sam Russo, Domenic Tagg, Paxton Dhilon, and Tyler Grey. These six players worked very hard throughout the season.

The 8th-grade football team had a great season overall. Their hard work and dedication towards the sport helped them a lot. They worked well as a team and that’s what led them to success.

Special Thanks to Coach Brian Stephens for his help with this piece.