Ironmen Rustproof in Season Opener

Could you tell John Rayman of the Sparrows was excited to get the 2011 season underway?.....anyone who sports a blue Mohawk on opening day has got to be excited about another season of football here in Jeannette.

Even if you didn't go to the extremes like John, and left your hair alone like I did, (I just stuck with the natural look with a touch of gray),  I'm sure you were still happy to see the 2011 season finally get here, just like I was.

Unfortunately, opening day yielded unfavorable results for the home team.

The Sparrows kicked off the day allowing touchdowns on Steel Valleys first two possessions. But Jeannette's Jaden Canady answered back; cutting to the outside and blowing up the sidelines for the Sparrows first score of the season.

Jeannette would grab the first score of the second half to even things up at 14 apiece, but Steel Valley fought back to add a final TD and secure the win with a final score of 21-14.

The Steel Valley Termites, the 2010 defending champions of the 7, 8 and 9 year olds, got off to a great start in defending their crown, handing Jeannette a 26-8 loss. The Blue Jays were unable to find the end zone until late in the fourth quarter off a 50 yard run from Crosby.

The Jeannette Eagles also had the daunting task of playing defending champions. The Steel Valley Mighty Mites, last season's champions of the 10 & 11 year old division, picked up right where they left off in 2010, blowing out the Eagles by a final score of 40-0 in their quest to repeat as KBL champions.

The Hawks didn't have to face defending champs; they'll cross that bridge in week 8 when they travel to Penn Hills. They did however have to face an impressive Steel Valley squad led by Trey Edwards who scored on four different occasions to jump out to a 22-0 lead, before Jeannette was able to find pay dirt themselves.

The Hawks held their ground and battled hard. But the one thing that they needed most, turned out to be the one thing they couldn't have.....more time on the clock. Steel Valley 34, Hawks 22.

Jeannette, looking to steer the 2011 season in the other direction, will travel to Plum next Saturday for a 4:00 start.

Photos from opening day can be found by clicking here, and as always you can access them from the drop down menu above.