Lions Top Stallions in Inaugural Charity Game

It was a fight to the end on the playing field, but the inaugural Toys for Tots Turkey Bowl between Gloucester Township's two youth football programs was, as the game's name suggests, about more than which team came away with the "W."

Both teams were winners.

The unlimited-weight division Gloucester Township Lions and Gloucester Township Stallions played Friday night, but it was what the teams did before the game that really mattered. The teams' players and coaches each contributed a toy for the annual Toys for Tots drive for disadvantaged children.

After falling behind early by a score of 12-0, the Lions rallied for 27 unanswered points en route to a 27-12 win.

The Stallions team, which competes in the South Jersey Elite Invitational Youth Football League's junior-high division, took the early lead on a touchdown run by Tyler Romano and a scoring pass from Brandon Paradise to Tyree Ceasar.

The Lions team, which competes in the Tri-County Midget Football League's senior division, got back in the game on two touchdown runs from Orlando Council and put the game away on touchdown passes from quarterback Jake Kolbe to Blaine Shade and Domenic Augello.

Augello also had two interceptions in the game, helping to halt what could've been a late Stallions rally.

The game was played at Paul VI High School, in Haddon Township.

The Lions were coached by Larry Reese Jr. The Stallions were coached by Tom Smith Jr.