“Big players make big plays in big games” is a widely spoken mantra among football coaches everywhere.  But when these accounts are also complimented by photojournalism, the result can often transform a routine event into a most telling and memorable moment.

This is the case for Lucas Ardito Barletta of the AIP Fighting Owls who made a catch late in the second quarter of last year’s championship matchup against the Brader Raiders which was captured by photographer Joniel Omaña of Teen Sports and printed on the front page of that magazine the following day.

“It definitely feels great to be publicly recognized”, commented Ardito Barletta during an interview with American Football Films.  “I think there couldn't have been a better moment for that play to happen because at the moment we were losing and not feeling great about ourselves.  That play gave us kind of a spark, and great positioning to score and put ourselves ahead for the first time in the game.

The catch occurred at 4:27 remaining in the second period which advanced the ball deep into Raider territory to about the 10 yard line.  The Owls were behind by two points with the score 8 to 6.  After the catch, Ramon Maduro scored on a short run a few plays later giving the Owls its first lead of the game.  The Fighting Owls went on to win that game 22 to 16 to secure its eleventh straight championship.

See Lucas' Highlight Video:

“This catch will stand out more than most others in my memory, mostly because of the moment in which it happened and because of how big and important winning that game was for us”, said Ardio Barletta.   “Being a part of the Fighting Owls is one of the best things there is, and winning the championship is something you will remember for the rest of your life”.

Just a few days after the championship, seemingly with little or no time to even wash uniforms between seasons, Ardito Barletta and teammate Ramon Maduro were on the field again with the Fighting Owls for the opening ceremony of the 2012 varsity season in which they both participated.

“My goal is always to set a positive example for my teammates”, Ardito Barletta said.  “ To continue to build a new dynasty in the varsity league, and play an important role in leading the team to the championship.”

Ardito Barletta was 15 years old during the 2012 sub-15 Kiwanis Football League (KFL) season in which he averaged 5.9 yards per carry, made 28 tackles, had 4 interceptions, and made 6 kickoff returns for 213 yards for an average of 36 yards per return.  He finished the season with a total of 3 TDs.  He will play his second Varsity season this August.