The 1998 Brookline Knights Midget football team finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record and their third straight league championship. Coaches Brian and Joe Nicholas proudly proclaimed this the best football team in their years with the Knights, and anyone who witnessed their advance to the league title would find it hard to disagree.

After losing many of their star players from the 1997 championship squad, the Knights began the season with an untested team playing in a new league. Beginning with a 38-28 victory in the opener with Steel Valley, the young Knights came together and started an unprecendented winning streak that ended 11 weeks later with a 12-6 title triumph at Mount Oliver. In between, the Knights stormed the bastions and took no prisoners as they laid waste to their W.P.M.F.L. opponents.

Coach Nicholas' offensive warriors were led by running backs Jo-Jo Lamonde and Tim Hamilton, quarterback Anthony Doria, and recievers Chad Flora and Tyler Makstutis. The well-rounded scoring machine featured an offensive line led by Rich Nagy that pancaked opposing defenses, leaving gaping holes that propelled Lamonde to 27 touchdowns, tying the record set in 1996 by Bubba Ventrone.

The hard-hitting defense featured linebackers Ryan Giegucz, Lamonde, and a "Steel Curtain" replica of a defensive line that stifled the opposition and gave no quarter. Only once, in a 6-0 slugfest at Swissvale was a game even remotely in doubt against the mighty Knights.

It will be many years before Brookline fields such a dominant team as this group. The high school, college, and possibly the professional ranks will benefit from the raw talent emerging from this group of young men. One thing is for sure. The 1998 Midgets have cemented their place as one of, if not the, greatest Brookline Knights teams of all.

1998 Brookline Knights Midgets - WPMFL Champions

First Row: Anthony Petruzzi, Anthony Doria, Justin Heinrich, Jo-Jo Lamonde, Chad Flora, Jim Fitzsimmons, Jason Nee, Tyler Makstutis.
Second Row: Equipment Manager "Pops" Lamonde, Rich Nagy, J. VanMersbergen, Steve Berry, Coach Frank Makstutis.
Third Row: Chris Droney, Zach Ferguson, Chris Booth, Jesse Ingold, Dan Ruscitto, Ryan Giegucz, Lazzaro Tantalo.
Fourth Row: Coach Joe Nicholas.
Fifth Row: John Elk, Pat Walters, Anthony Mihelcic, Corey Atkins, Dan Nardozzi, Matt Reiche, Corey Teitz.

Game-By-Game Summary

Game 1 - Brookline 38 <> Steel Valley 28
Game 2 - Brookline 28 <> Duquesne 0
Game 3 - Brookline 52 <> West Mifflin 26
Game 4 - Brookline 28 <> Swissvale 6
Game 5 - Brookline 22 <> Mount Oliver 6
Game 6 - Brookline 36 <> Steel Valley 14

Game 7 - Brookline 32 <> Duquesne 12
Game 8 - Brookline 30 <> White Oak 12
Game 9 - Brookline 6 <> Swissvale 0
Game 10 - Brookline 56 <> Clairton 8
Playoff - Brookline 41 <> Steel Valley 0
Finals - Brookline 12 <> Mount Oliver 6

Some photos from the Championship game.
* November 7, 1998 *

Photo 1 <> Photo 2 <> Photo 3 <> Photo 4 <> Photo 5
Photo 6 <> Photo 7 <> Photo 8 <> Photo 9 <> Photo 10 <> Photo 11

The Cheerleaders

Nicole Nicholas, Dara Varady, Gabriella Vachino, Dana Masullo, Ashley Haggerty, Krystle Collavo, Amanda Sero, Jessica Gozur, Jamie Nicholas, Lindsay Nelson, Kimberly Drischler, Laura Smith, Kristy Tondolo, Shauna McDaniels, Megan Mandarino and Lindsey DeCarlo.

* Photos courtesy of Barbara Giegucz *