As far as the parents of the Salem Titans are concerned, the story of their first and second graders competing in the Northeastern Conference Youth Football League is a bit incredulous.

"Most of the kids started (the season) from scratch; they had never played. These coaches have done a phenomenal job," Maria McAuliffe, mother of tight end Max McAuliffe, said.

She was not necessarily referring to the Titans' undefeated 6-0 record and possible unbeaten showdown next Sunday, Nov. 8, against 6-0 Charlestown at Bertram Field in Salem at 9 a.m. (That is a tentative date; the game was postponed once already, and next Sunday's date still has to be finalized).

For sure, Titans head coach Keith Cannizzaro has advised his players not to think about Charlestown, since the Titans must win at Beverly this Sunday to complete an unbeaten season. Charlestown beat Salem in a preseason jamboree earlier this fall.

"Charlestown crushed us, big. Off that scrimmage, I truly thought it would be a long season," the coach confessed. "I didn't think we'd win any games."

On top of it all, the Titans had gone winless a year ago in their maiden season.

That's one major reason Mrs. McAuliffe and the other parents are so astounded this fall. The Titans have experienced a 360 degree turnaround in one season.

The Titans play at an instructional level for 6- and 7-year-olds. Two coaches are on the field at all times, often making sure the players are in their right positions.

They play two 20-minutes halves of football with running time. There's no blitzing, there are one-point conversions after touchdowns, and all 22 Titans get to play ("my rule," the coach said). Games are on a 100-yard regulation sized field.

Among the Titans' defensive standouts have been ends Bobby Jellison, Elijah Adams and Adam Schaeublin; middle linebacker Cam Cannizzaro, cornerback Dame Garcia and safety Ray Dancy.

Jellison put forth one of the league's best defensive performances with a dozen tackles and two sacks in one game.

Igniting the Titans' offense are quarterback Jack Gilligan and running backs Kevin Tolbert, Kobe Estes and Derek O'Leary. Split end Jamari Myers and offensive lineman Kolby Berube have also been stars.

Other standouts who have contributed to the Titans' success include Tyler Amann, Isaac Avilia, Sean Bell, Israel Brito, Brady Collette, Justin Delacruz, Adam Cutone, Kenneth Girard and Christopher Jackson.

"They've worked their butts off and the coaches have never had so much fun in their lives being a part of this," Cannizzaro said. "Every kid has been a joy."

Salem's perfect journey has included victories over Stoneham (32-6), Lynn (19-6), Chelsea (21-20), Beverly (25-0), Saugus (31-14, in the pouring rain) and Swampscott (19-7).

"I saw the ad in The Salem News (that) the league was looking for coaches. I took the Titans because nobody else wanted the position," said the 34-year-old Cannizzaro, a senior plumbing engineer.

Cannizzaro accepted the challenge — and went full steam ahead. He played hockey at Lynn Tech, not football, so he rolled up his sleeves to learn all he could.

"Videos, football books, online drills ... I studied pretty hard on all the aspects," he said. "I was fortunate to have five assistant coaches who were very good, and not all had football backgrounds. They were in the same boat as me.

Cannizzaro is the defensive coordinator; Mike Myers the offensive coordinator. The other assistants are Steve Berube, Ray Dancy and Joe Estes.

"We've come a long way," Cannizzaro said in the understatement of the youth football season. "I think having six coaches to teach has been a big plus; I know they only had two coaches last year. Teaching is what this level is all about. That and keeping their attention. If you didn't have enough coaches they'd be running all over the place."

MEET THE TITANS

Elijah Adams, DE

Tyler Amann, DL

Isaac Avilia, NT

Sean Bell, C

Kolby Berube, OL

Israel Brito, CB

Brady Collette, DL

Cam Cannizzaro, MLB

Adam Catone, OLB

Raymond Dancy, SS

Justin Delacruz, TE

Kobe Estes, RB, DE

Dame Garcia, CB

Jack Gilligan, QB, SS

Kenneth Girard, OL, DE

Christopher Jackson, OL

Bobby Jellison, SS

Max McAuliffe, OL

Jamari Myers, OLB

Derek O'Leary, RB, TE, MLB

Adam Schaeublin, OL

Devin Tolbert, RB, MLB

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SAFETY FIRST

Is it safe for 6- and 7-year-old first- and second-graders to be playing football — even at the instructional level?

"I had mixed emotions at first, the fear of Max getting hurt," Mrs. Maria McAuliffe of Salem said. She is the mother of second grader Max McAuliffe.

"I'm sure many parents felt the same way. The sport is prone to injuries, but I feel much more comfortable now. You can see the confidence the kids have attained. They start out not knowing how to play, and all of a sudden they're blocking and tackling and going up and down the field.

"That in itself has built up my confidence.

"However, you still worry a bit. It never goes away," she admitted. "It's always in the back of your mind."