Rochester Youth Football and Legacy Cheer (RYFLC) hosted its first homecoming weekend this past weekend, with all three levels of the program competing on home turf in front of a packed and enthusiastic crowd.

Friday: Community Spaghetti Dinner Team parents organized a spaghetti dinner Friday night for players and their families. Food was generously donated by Evviva Trattoria of Rochester, NH and Lou’s Pastry, with tables and chairs provided by Any Eventz. The event drew over 300 community members and raised nearly $1,000 in support of the program.

Saturday: Junior Varsity and Varsity Action Saturday’s games opened with Spaulding High School’s Gigi Farrell performing the National Anthem.

The Junior Varsity team opened the weekend against Portland, falling 6–16. The game featured a late fourth-quarter touchdown from #12 Raymond Cassell and a fumble recovery by #38 Eli Bornstein. Coach Griff reflected: “Great kids, all the heart in the world — just gotta fix a few things, and that ball’s rolling next week.”

Varsity closed out the night with a commanding 38–14 win, highlighted by:

  • Touchdown, #22 Kash Buckovitch, with extra point run in by #23 Camden Plante
  • 50-yard touchdown run by #13 Rogan Couture, extra point run in by #22 Kash Buckovitch
  • Second-quarter interception by #2 Jason Mourikas, returned for a touchdown by #22 Kash Buckovitch, pushing the score to 24–6
  • Touchdown by #10 Dante Hildreth
  • Additional touchdown from Rogan Couture, with Higgins at quarterback

Coach Griff: “What a way to execute at all three levels of the game. Execution and fundamentals make this game the way it is. What a great day to be a Little Red Raider!”

Sunday: 3/4 and 5/6 Teams Battle League-Leading Saco Sunday’s matchups pitted Rochester’s 3/4 and 5/6 teams against Saco, the league’s top team. While the day brought losses for both squads, standout individual efforts shone through.

The Mighty Raiders saw tackling from Ellis Howard, Porter Camire, and Mikey Ouellette. Colton Shipman delivered a key stop to prevent a Saco score and turn the ball back over to Rochester. Austin Cassell Jr. and Lucas Hutchison sealed the defensive edges, forcing plays back to the middle of the field.

Coach Hutchison: “The boys gave it their all. They adapted to keep fighting and stop the score from rising. I’m proud of everything they did today. We know where we need to focus next week, and we’ll see it on the field next Sunday.”

The Junior Raiders saw Chance McFadden haul in an interception for a first down, and Brady Demers scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. In the JV game, Zayne Walka recorded two big backfield stops, TJ Lovasco notched a pass breakup, and LJ Gauthier broke off the team’s longest run of the day.

Coach Peverada: “I’m proud of the boys’ sportsmanship. They help the other team up, win or lose, with pride — and I’m proud of that.”

League President Statement

Matt Hatch, League President, offered the following reflection on the weekend:

“What a homecoming weekend for Rochester Youth Football and Legacy Cheer — the kind that reminds you exactly why this community is so special. From the first whistle to the final cheer, every athlete across every program played with heart, grit, and pride. The fields were packed with energy, families showed up loud, and our cheerleaders brought that signature Legacy spark that lifts every sideline and every moment. This weekend wasn’t just about football or cheer — it was about program strength, community support, and kids giving everything they’ve got. A heartfelt thank-you to all our athletes, families, and supporters. And an extra-special shoutout to the volunteers and coaches who make days like this possible. Your time, passion, and dedication are the backbone of RYFLC, and we’re grateful for every single one of you. Homecoming 2026 felt like Rochester — united, proud, and unstoppable.”