Red Devils PAL team finishes as champions

The Center Moriches Red Devils Suffolk County Police Athletic League’s 11-year-old football team recently won the Suffolk County PAL championship, after completing an undefeated season, 8-0! On Saturday, Nov. 9, the team played Hauppauge in the Sergeants Division Final, in which they won in a tight game, 13-12.

This season marked the last seasons for most players. The team consisted of 26 players, with 10 new players. They began practicing in August.

The coaching team included Brian Cunningham, Bryan Kelly, Mike Vitulli, Joe Castellano and Danny Powers.

“We thought we would be good, but never imagined that we would have the success we had,” said Cunningham.

“[We] all work very well together to bring out the best in the kids,” Cunningham continued.

“We have coached many of these players since flag football,” added Kelly. “To see them go out on top was great!”

Their offensive team was led all year by running back Dominick Piciullo, who scored 14 touchdowns in the season. Running back Charlie Cunningham added nine touchdowns this season and quarterback Dylan Rubio commanded the huddle with poise and leadership. He completed plenty of passes, even adding a few touchdowns himself. He was often found downfield, delivering devastating blocks and paving the way for many of the touchdowns.

Defensively, the team crushed it. According to the coach, the team adjusted to different styles, shutting down their opponents in every game. The defensive team was led by the linebacker crew of Sean Kelly, MJ Srodon and Dominick Piciullo. 

“They were tackling machines,” Cunningham said.

Also, Jordan Sands plugged up the middle at nose tackle, and Dominick Vitulli and Mike Piciullo played excellent defensive end.

During the championship game, they were originally down 6-0, with Hauppauge playing well on both sides of the ball, the coach said. However, with strong running by Dominick Piciullo, they tied the game with a touchdown by Charlie Cunningham. But Hauppauge answered with another touchdown, leaving the score at 12-6. Hauppauge went on a long drive that took up most of the third quarter into the fourth. The defensive team didn’t let them through, with tackles by MJ Srodon, Dominick Piciullo, Sean Kelly, and Mike Piciullo. 

The offense took over and got key runs from Charlie Cunningham and Dylan Rubio, before Dominick Piciullo zigged and zagged through the defense, running 48 yards down to the Hauppauge 5-yard line. On the next play, Charlie Cunningham ran the ball around the corner for the tying touchdown. The extra point was run up the middle by Cunningham for the lead. The defense held Hauppauge from scoring for the remaining four minutes. 

“Cheered on by over 100 fans chanting ‘defense,’ tackle after tackle was made, frustrating the Hauppauge offense until eventually getting the final fourth down,” Cunningham added. “A great finish to a great season.”

Of the parents among the fans, Greg Lane was always there to chant: “Give them the business!”

The was the first year with Ali Adlah as the president of PAL CM Red Devils football. Registrations have opened up to meet the needs of younger children, with the flag football program starting at 3 years old. They have also added three girls across three tackle teams.

“I couldn’t be happier with the growth of our program,” he said.

For those interested in joining the Center Moriches PAL Red Devils Football League, email Adlah at cmreddevilfootball@gmail.com.