The 1997 Brookline Knights Midget football team successfully defended their W.P.Y.F.L. championship by stomping Fort Cherry 42-14 at South Fayette on November 15, avenging an early season 34-0 loss to the same team. The team finished with an impressive 10-1-1 record, a tie to Sto-Rox being the only other blemish.

The back-to-back titles are a first for the Knights program and further proof that the short four-year tenure of coaches Brian and Joe Nicholas has already entered its dynasty phase. Nicholas led teams have now made four successive championship game appearances.

The Knights fielded yet another offensive juggernaut led by quarterback Shawn Quinn, fullback Bruno DeSimone and halfback Jo-Jo Lamonde. Tight end Steve Barone, the team leader in touchdowns, rounded out the attack and dazzled the crowds with his blistering speed.

The defense was led by lineman Billy Sharkey, Barone at defensive end, Quinn at strong safety, and linebackers DeSimone and Lamonde. And the Steelers call themselves the 60-minute men!

With another strong group of kids returning next year, including the talented Jo-Jo Lamonde, it looks as though the Nicholas Dynasty may last well into the next century. It's a marvelous time to be a Knights fan!

1997 Brookline Knights Midgets - WPYFL Champions

Coaches - Joe Nicholas, Frank Makstutis, Ray Perry.
Equipment Manager - "Pops" Lamonde.

03 - Steve Barone
75 - Steven Berry
82 - Michael Bonner
68 - Christopher Booth
10 - Stan Bryant
73 - Kabir Buhari
67 - Nathan Crapis
57 - Bruno DeSimone
13 - Anthony Doria
74 - Jack Elk
27 - Ryan Fameli
12 - Steve Fedunok

58 - Ryan Giegucz
55 - Jonathan Gromeck
65 - Justin Heinrich
35 - Jesse Ingold
88 - Tom Koerbel
59 - Chris Kopy
89 - Thomas Kovacs
11 - Adam Kress
25 - Jimmy Lamonde
28 - Joey Lamonde
09 - Tyler Makstutis

66 - Anthony Mihelcic
70 - Nick Mihelcic
26 - Brandon Mohney
30 - Jason Nee
81 - Joshua Payne
71 - Jeremy Ptaszkiewicz
01 - Shawn Quinn
69 - Dan Ruscitto
44 - Brad Russell
56 - Billy Sharkey
72 - Steven Sywyj
80 - Patrick Walters

* Photos below courtesy of Pat DeSimone *