Sixty-one (61) Years of Grade School Football

The CFA, formerly The CYO Football League (1946 – 1972), was formed at a meeting held in 1973 at St. Catherine Laboure Parish Social Hall. The following officers were elected: Joe Cribari was elected Commissioner; Dr. Michael Howanitz, Secretary; and John Moretz, Treasurer. The Governing Board members (Charter Members) were comprised of representatives from nine (9) parishes: St. Joseph, Holy Name, Our Lady, Good Shepherd, St. Margaret Mary, St. Catherine Laboure, St. Patrick, St. Theresa and Sacred Heart. This group, formerly the CYO, developed the CFA Constitution and Bylaws. The parish associations were divided into 2 divisions (East Shore Division and West Shore Division).

1973. The CFA’s First Season. St. Catherine Laboure Royal’s Midget team coached by Joe Cribari finished a perfect season with a record of 8-0 and won the East Shore Midget Division. The St. Theresa Saints Midget team, coached by Mike Silvestri ended the season with a 7-1 record won the West Shore Midget Division. The East Shore Division Midget Champs and the West Shore Division Midget Champs met in the CFA’s First "Super Bowl" game (1973). The championship game was played at the New Cumberland Jr. High School Field. St. Catherine Laboure Royals Midgets won by a score of 30-8.

2000. Super Bowl XXVIII was played November 12, 2000 at Memorial Field, Middletown, PA. Good Shepherd Rams won the Peewee Championship Game over the Swatara Eagles in 5 overtime periods. East Shore Royals won the Pony Championship Game over the Dauphin Jaguars. The Holy Name Jets won the Midget Championship Game over the Halifax Bobcats.

2001, is the CFA’s 29^th year. The Juniata Little Indians have joined the CFA Football League for this coming football season. The Super Bowl Championship Games were played Sunday, November 11, 2001 at Memorial Field Middletown. The East Shore Royals Peewee Team won the Peewee Championship by a score of 12 to 7 over the Holy Name Jets Peewee team. In the Pony Championship game, The Swatara Tigers Ponies won over the Halifax Bobcats Ponies by a score of 19 to 0. Swatara has only been in the CFA for three years. In the Midget Championship game the Holy Name Jets Midgets beat the New Cumberland Saints Midgets by a score of 25 to 6. This was the second straight year that Holy Name won the CFA Midget Championship.

2002. The Peewee Championship Game was a thriller. In double overtime, the Swatara Tigers defeated the St. Joseph Chargers 13 to 7. The Pony Championship Game featured the East Shore Royals and the Good Shepherd Rams. Losing 6 to 0 with 4 minutes to play, the East Shore Royals rallied to win the game 14 to 6. The Midget Championship Game featured 2 unbeaten teams, The Holy Name Jets and the Lower Allen Cowboys. Holy Name won 34 to 8. This was Holy Name’s third consecutive Midget Super Bowl Title.

2003. Super Bowl XXXI, Sunday, November 9, 2003. The games were hosted by St. Joseph Chargers and played at Trinity High School Football Field. 10 teams played in the Peewee Exhibition Game. Link Wilson’s Red Team beat John Reiprich’s Blue Team 18 – 0. In the Peewee Championship Game, the St. Joseph Chargers defeated the Holy Name Jets 18 – 6. The Pony Championship game was a thriller with Holy Name Jets edging the Harrisburg Bronco’s 19 – 18. In the Midget Super Bowl Game Holy Name Jets upset the undefeated Halifax Bobcats 14 – 6.

2004. Super Bowl XXXII. In the Peewee Championship Game the St. Joseph Chargers defeated the Lower Allen Cowboys by a score of 19 to 12. In the Pony Championship Game the Swatara Tigers defeated the Lower Allen Cowboys 19 to 0 and in the Midget Championship Game St. Joseph Chargers defeated Good Shepherd Rams 38 to 0 and ended the season undefeated.

2005. This season a new team, the Greenwood Buffaloes joined the CFA. Super Bowl XXXIII, Sunday, November 6, 2005. In the Peewee Championship Game, the Swatara Tigers defeated the Cedar Cliff Cowboys, in the Pony Championship Game, the Harrisburg Broncos beat the Juniata Little Indians and in the Midget Championship Game, the Holy Name Jets defeated the Cedar Cliff Cowboys.

2006. In this years Super Bowl, Holy Name Jets Peewee team defeated the Harrisburg Broncos.  In the Pony game Harrisburg Broncos won over the Northern Polar Bears and in the Midget game, the Holy Name Jets beat the Swatara tigers.  

2007.  Two new Associations (now 18 CFA Associations) will participate in the CFA this year, 2007.  The South Hanover Knights and Cumberland Valley Eagles.  We now have 2 new conferences, the American Conference  and the National Conference. There are 2 divisions in each conference.  There will be 2 Super Bowls (American Conference Super Bowl and National Conference Super Bowl) played this year.  This season will be my 35th year. 

2008.  The tradition continues . . . .

A. Joseph Cribari, CFA Commissioner

Pictured Below is Commissioner Joe Cribari and Assistant Commissioner Jack Mitchell.  35 Years of service to the CFA.