The East County Lions’ youth football league kicked off its season last weekend with a four-game sweep of the Concord Cobras.

The Lions operate five levels of play, but only four keep a score. The Scout team is a fundamental learning team, but last weekend, it showed the Concord Cobras how to play the game.

It all started Saturday morning with a 34-yard run by Cody Muth, capped on the next play by a quarterback sneak from Mason Brandy, who scored on a 60-yard TD run later in the game.

Head coach Joseph Guaragna was proud of his 7-9-year-olds, who made it look easy. “They really look like they got it together,” Guaragna said.

Defensive coach Dave Gonzales’ charges allowed the Concord Cobras only 30 yards rushing and no touchdowns. Concord had only one opportunity to score, but a touchdown-saving tackle made by Glenn Borlongan put a end to that.

The Jr. Pee Wee boys, ages 9 and 10, opened their game by marching straight down the field. Dominic Viramontes got optimal field position for Braxton Copeland to score the Lions first touchdown of the game. Cole Gregerson nailed the extra-point attempt, making it 8-0 East County.

The Cobras offense was stopped by the Lions’ defense of Devyn Douglas, Hunter Karbowski, Justin Bergen and Joshua Lewis. Running back Gaudi Campbell took the ball 45 yards to set up his first touchdown – one of many for the Jr. Pee Wee Lions. Quarterback Jay Butterfield showed how much he has grown from last year as a Scout, leading his team to its first win, a 26-0 decision.

The East County Lions’ Pee Wee division started off the 2011 season with a bang. Ronnie Rivers fielded the season-opening kickoff and raced untouched for a 68-yard TD. Following a fumble recovery by Abel Ordaz, the Lions scored on a 45-yard TD run by Rivers to go up 13-0 – and never looked back, dominating Concord en route to a 40-0 victory.

The offensive outburst also included a 79-yard run on a reverse by wide receiver Bailey Coston and a 40-yard halfback pass from Rivers to wide receiver Michael Tapia. The Lions defense, led by a ferocious defensive line, didn’t allow a single first down the entire game.

ECYF Jr. Midgets 35-7 victory was led by Demmier Wright, who ran for 100 yards and scored two touchdowns. Jared Rodger scored on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Brody Garner, and Joel Olmos ran for 30 yards and a TD. Thato Mkhwanazi caught one pass for 35 yards and Dominic Mather boosted the score by kicking 11 points.

The Jr. Midget defense, led by Ryan Mucher and Dewey Martin, stopped the Cobras from scoring more than once. Emillano Diaz anchored the offensive line along with Michael Adams, Kyle Coonan, Arnold Cuevas and Anthony Gripe. Nick Zell did a great job leading the Lions to a first victory.

The East County Lions Midget team kicked off its season with a 32-0 rout of the Concord Cobras. The Lions defense was tough all day, led by Chad Austin, who made seven tackles and one interception. Quinten Sheppard and Darren Jackson bolstered the defense.

The Lions offense was a model of efficiency, scoring on three of its first four possessions. Dominic Espino notched three touchdowns on runs of three, four and 10 yards. The Lions offensive line also opened big holes for Espino and Adrian Bonilla. Victor Saude was a perfect 4-for-4 on extra-point kicks. His booming kickoffs gave the Lions good field position all day.

East County faces the Benecia Panthers this Saturday.

– Courtesy of Ingrid Gregerson