Submitted photo

The young Huskies made it two championships in three seasons this past weekend when Eel River Valley clinched the Six Rivers Youth Football Conference Double-A title with a victory over McKinleyville.

The Huskies won the game 27-6.

But they had to battle for it, rallying from an early 0-6 deficit with four unanswered touchdowns, including three in the second half.

After losing a regular-season matchup against the Huskies, McKinleyville came out with a different look for Sunday’s championship game and it caught the No. 1 seeds off guard.

However, the Huskies would settle into the game, finally getting on the scoreboard late in the first half, and the adjustments they made at halftime would prove crucial.

The win capped an undefeated season for the young Huskies, who had lost last year’s Double-A championship after winning a Single-A championship in 2021.

Running back Ryder Sweaney threw a 35-yard TD pass to quarterback Bo Stacy on a trick play to open the scoring for Eel River Valley.

The talented duo combined again for their team’s second score early in the second half, this time on a two-yard TD pass from Stacy to Sweaney

Running back Bryson Maniaci would stretch the lead on a 25-yard TD run, before Stacy closed out the scoring on a pick six.

The Huskies offensive line of John Lyman, Mason Goff, Kasen Ward, Raanan Bruckner and Reza Kadivar helped set the tone and played a major role on the way to an undefeated season.

“Those guys absolutely dominated,” head coach Trevor Maniaci said of the unit. “Everything started for us with those guys.”

Stacy was involved in three of his team’s four TDs and also played a pivotal role for his team all season long at QB and outside linebacker.

“I think that if the league had an MVP, he would have won it hands down,” the head coach said.

Bryson Maniaci and Sweaney both also played key roles this year on both sides of the ball.

They each did a good job at running back but really thrived alongside each other at middle linebacker.

“They love contact,” Trevor Maniaci said.

Tight end Dominic Lanza and receiver Maysen Towne-Fausone each also played key roles and gave the coaches a deep pool of playmakers they could call on.

“I had the luxury of knowing I had six different weapons I was super confident giving the ball to,” the head coach said.

The roster is one that has grown together for the past few years and continued to show signs of improvement.

Remarkably, the Huskies starting defense gave up less points (32) than the unit scored (36) in nine games this fall.

The Huskies also led the league in scoring and had fewest points allowed.

And every player on the roster played a role.

“They’re just a lot of fun, and their football IQ is through the roof,” Trevor Maniaci said. “For 10 and 11 year olds, I can throw anything at them and they understand it. 

“From top to bottom all the kids are super coachable and all the kids progressed through the year.”

The players were also extra motivated this season after losing last year’s championship game to Ferndale.

And from day one they came ready to play and determined to take home the championship.

“I just love their chemistry, and the way they played together and the way they had each other’s back,” the head coach added.

Key to Sunday’s win was controlling McKinleyville standout Brayden Brock, one of the top young athletes in the county right now.

“Our whole game plan was based on stopping Brayden Brock,” Trevor Maniaci said of the running back/linebacker. “He’s a hell of an athlete.”

The Eel River Valley team also included Cash Augustine, Cole Purvis, Joe Cooke, Jayce Conley, Chance Varela, Branson Rumley, Gunner Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Tony Abeyta, Garrison Morris, Louis Evanson, Levi Campbell, Kyler Bramlett, Trey Munsell, Cameron Rogers, Caden Wilson, Evan Watkins, Gage Corning and Wyatt Steed.

The head coach also paid tribute to his coaching staff, which included assistants Justin Sweaney, Connor Pratt, Tyrol Chamberlain, Kyle Conley, Tim Abeyta, David Kadivar and Tobiah Bruckner, and has been together for the last three years.