FALLSBURG – After running through the guantlet of the Hudson Valley Youth Football Association, the Comets Youth Football program completed an undefeated regular season.

In the championship, a rematch against Onteora led the victorious Comets to perfect championship run.

The Comets finished 8-0 overall, 7-0 in the regular season and then the championship game. 

The Comets defeated a myriad of opponents this season, including Red Hook, Saugerties, Rondout Valley, Hyde Park, Onteora, Ellenville and Liberty. 

The team was comprised of kids aged 7-12, but it was mostly the core of 9-12 year olds, with the younger kids getting playing time when it was safe. There are some kids that have been involved in the program since they were younger than six years old, starting with the flag football program.

Previously, the team was a Pop Warner youth football team, but joined the Hudson Valley Youth Football Association in 2017. 

While the team was based out of Fallsburg, and played their home games at Morningside Park, the team included players from around Sullivan County as well, including Livingston Manor, Tri-Valley and a few players from Liberty that were with the Comets before Liberty joined the league.

The team was coached by Scott Whitehead and Comets Youth Football President Lynn Leibowitz-Whitehead.

“There is a lot of dedication involved as it’s a completely volunteer-run program,” Leibowitz-Whitehead said.

This young group will eventually move on to the modified and then varsity levels in a few years and are sure to bolster some already solid football programs.