Schools
Whiz Kids: Huntington Middle School Flag Football Team
Each week, San Marino Patch highlights an individual kid, youth group, teen or sports team that wows us with their accomplishments. See who we chose this week and suggest a kid or group of kids you know for Whiz Kid of the Week.
Whiz Kids’ Names:
- Johnny LI
- Alan Liang
- Gilbert Saucedo
- Mark Wicke
- JP Shofi
- Michael Woo
- Aiden Santino
- Carso Glazier
- Chaz Davis
- Jackson Diaz
- Alexi Schaeffer
- Austin Lee
Whiz Kids' Ages: 10-12 Years of Age
Whiz Kids' School:
Find out what's happening in San Marinowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Whiz Kids' Accomplishment:
The first Huntington Middle School flag football team to earn a State Champion title on this past Sunday, Dec. 11 in Garden Grove.
Find out what's happening in San Marinowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Whiz Kids' Key to Awesomeness:
In San Marino, sports events are more than just places for residents to rally behind their kids, friends and families, but a way to celebrate a long-history of athletic achievement. As a mother of a former football player, I know first-hand both the fear of having watched my son play on the field, and the triumph of watching him succeed.
So what is it that makes the boys of the Huntington Middle School State Champion Flag Football team (what a mouthful!)? The same fundamentals that win football games at any level: hard-nosed defense, aggressive offense and the courage and determination to battle out every inch on the grid-iron despite the opponent’s physicality.
The tournament was a series of three games played over a duration of two days. Their first opponent was the Central Middle School of Riverside. Despite Central’s physicality, the Foxes matched their opponents with the same athleticism and shut their offense down while putting 22 on the boards. The second match-up was Edison Middle School; likewise, Edison was shut-down in a 30 to 0 win. Following their two flawless victories, the Foxes met Fairfax Middle School (from Bakersfield) on the field in a 30 to 8 victory. From the first snap, the boys of Huntington Middle School played with a combination of initiative and desire for the victory. The Foxes pounded forward when the ball was in their possession and punished the Fairfax offense for each yard they fought to gain.
The Huntington Middle School Foxes ended the season with a perfect 16 and 0 record--something many teams seek, few come close to achieving and even fewer reach. The memories of their hard-work, disciplined play and strong teamwork will live forever.
The Team was led by the Huntingtion Middle School coaching staff of Sal Battaglia, Brandon Garner, Austin Lee, Shant Malkonian, Lawrence Mireles, Ben Quek and Luis Rivera.
