Cheerleaders Head to Regionals

Two cheerleading squads from the Shrewsbury American Youth Football and Cheer Organization (SAYFCO) are advancing to the regional competition later this month.

The Division 10 squad led by Head Coach Gail Flynn and the Division 12 squad led by Head Coach Kerry Smith placed first at local competition on Oct. 22. "Both squads are extremely excited on taking first place and are actively preparing for Regional’s," said Susan Lynch, director of cheer for the SAYFCO.

The regional competition will be held at the DCU Center in Worcester on Nov. 27. 

"This is my second year as the director of cheer for SAYFCO and I am very proud of my two competition teams for placing at locals as well as our Division 8 exhibition team lead by Head Coach Diane Montague," Lynch said. "Each team has worked extremely hard this year and I am very proud of them and wish them continued success."

Two youth football teams are also competing in this weekend's Superbowl competition in Tyngsboro after beating Charlton-Dudley on Thursday night.

"Shrewsbury fourth grade trailed the 9-1 Charlton-Dudley Rams 13-7 at half time on Thursday night," said Head Coach Clint Mills. "The Patriots opened the second half with a 9-minute 70-yard touchdown drive, converting the extra point try to take a 14-13 lead."

"The Rams answered with a 60-yard drive, scoring on 4th and goal from the 6-yard line to take a 19-14 lead with 5:30 to play in the game," Mills said. "With the game and their season on the line, the Patriots came from behind again answering with a 60-yard drive of their own and converting the extra point try with 1:20 left in the game to take a 21-19 lead."

The Rams got the ball back one final time, but without enough time left on the clock to score. The Patriots defense held in a thrilling finish to win the South Conference Championship, according to Mills.

The Patriots will play the North Conference Champion Hudson Hawks in the Superbowl Sunday at 10 a.m. at Tyngsboro High School.

The fifth grade Shrewsbury Patriots #2 team, coached by Tom Schaefer and staff, has continued their improbable 11-0 season in 2011 with a Conference final playoff victory over the Charlton Dudley Rams 13–0.

The Rams came into the game with Central Massachusetts AYF Southern Division’s most prolific scoring offense and only one regular season loss, which was also at the hands of this same Patriots team," Schaefer said. "Shrewsbury defeated Charlton Dudley 18-14 in Charlton in the final regular season game, thus securing an undefeated regular season (9-0). This Patriots fifth grade team got to the conference final game by beating the Nipmuc Warriors #1 team 13-6 in a very tough first round battle played under the lights at Dean Park the week prior."

"All season, this team has played with incredible confidence and heart and now faces its toughest challenge of the year against the Northern Conference winner Tyngsboro Tigers (who are also 11-0) in the SuperBowl on Sunday, Nov. 6, at Tyngsboro High School with kick-off scheduled for 12 p.m," Schaefer said. "Tyngsboro is well coached and has very talented athletes on both offense and defense. The Tigers will also have home field advantage as they were scheduled to be hosts of all of the Central Massachusetts AYF SuperBowls on Sunday."

The keys to victory will be the same as they have been each week this season—all 22 players playing cohesively as one unit along with the encouragement of the SAYFCO League with all of its parents and supporters," Schaefer added. "The winner of the game will continue on to regional play against the SuperBowl winners of Baystate AYF, however all of the kids from both the Shrewsbury and Tyngsboro programs are winners and should be very proud of their incredible accomplishments this season."

Shrewsbury Patch would like to congratulate the cheerleading squad for being the athletes of the week.

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