DERRY — The Derry Demons youth football teams are off to a strong start to the season.
The third-grade team opened up the 2010 season with an early-morning battle against an undermanned Franklin Tilton Falcons team.
The Demons scored early and often on their way to a 34-0 victory. Declan Conroy started the offensive onslaught for Derry with an 18-yard touchdown scamper early in the first quarter.
Dominic Tritto, Turner Sykes and Jeff Potvin also scored for the Demons. Asa Runge converted two points after conversions. Defensively, Brady Day made several big stops.
The fourth-grade team won at NorRock. Hunter Ickes scored touchdowns of 12-, 18- and 40-yards to help pace the Demons to a 32-0 opening week win against the NorRock Vikings.
Robbie Fahey and Aidan Conroy also scored with touchdown runs of more than 40 yards. On special teams, Dylan Poulin and Seth Williams both recovered on-side kicks.
The Demons fifth-graders settled the score against NorRock Sunday as they avenged last year's loss to the Vikings as fourth-graders.
Derry's offensive line was outstanding, helping Matt Newman rack up 116 rushing yards and opening up big holes for Ja'vall Desir and Aaron Tunstall who averaged over five yards a carry.
The game's only touchdown was scored by Michael Gorham on a 53-yard run. The defense was led by the consistent play of linebacker Brandon Watts and the defensive line of Joron Harrell, Jordan Dube, Eddie Stuart and Frank Lamour. Cameron Godin's play at safety in the closing minutes was key in holding off a late NorRock rally.
The Demons sixth-grade team dropped its opener to the Nashua Elks Crusaders. After watching Derry charge out to a 13-0 lead early in the game, the Crusaders scored 32 unanswered points to knock of the Demons, 32-13.
Nico Buccieri started off the game with big touchdown runs of 28 and 68 yards in the first quarter before missing some crucial minutes later in the game due to injury. After Nashua scored the tying touchdown with only seconds left in the first half, Derry could never get the momentum back on its side.
The Demons middle school squad downed Nashua PAL Force, 33-0.
The Demons got off to a good start early and never looked back. Tyler Gendron opened the scoring for the Demons with a three-yard touchdown run 1:13 into the game.
Power back Mike Curley then found the end zone twice in the first half with six- and seven-yard rushes.
Aidan Sullivan capped off a nice day at quarterback with a 17-yard touchdown toss to tight end Michael Horak in the second half, while Mike Nall capped off the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.
Sullivan also converted on extra point conversion passes to Collin Young and Caleb Godin.
Godin pitched in defensively with a fourth-quarter interception. Greg Lund recorded two sacks for the Demons.
The Demons remain on the road for Week 2 before their home opener on Sunday, Sept. 12, at Don Ball Field and Humphrey Park.
