Ready for action The Garden City 8 year old Thunder White went on the road to Hempstead last Sunday to face yet another tough opponent. The Thunder White played like the weather - brisk, clean and crisp.

Hempstead won the opening coin toss and elected to start the game on offense. The Thunder White “No Surrender” defense set the tone of the game from the opening snap when they stopped Hempstead with a 3 and out series highlighted by Kieran Byrnes’ knock down of a pass on third down. The Defensive Line of Conor Byrnes, Adam Hartog, Joey Creighton, Connor Riedell, James Lark, Kyle Wein, Keiran McGoldrick and Cameron Kern, backed up by Linebackers Kieran Byrnes, Danny Dolan and Timmy Halaby and the Corners and Safeties Joey Trapasso, Nick Giannone, Luke Zeccola, Brian Tully and Robert Gavigan shut down Hempstead for the entire game.

Halfback slips through the Hempstead line Carney Mahon made yet another touchdown saving tackle to bring down a Hempstead ball carrier who was heading for the end zone. Danny Dolan made a huge tackle for a loss with Timmy Halaby recovering a fumble. On another Hempstead drive in the first half Luke Zeccola knocked down a pass followed by Kieran Byrnes defending a pass which was followed by Timmy Halaby knocking down a pass.

Hempstead looks for an opening around right end The “Thunder Road - Born to Run” Offense set their own tone on their very first play with Jack Connors bulling the ball up the middle. The Offensive Line led by Patrick Gerspach at center, Danny Dolan, Liam Byrnes, Kieran McGoldrick, Michael Collins and Robert Wotczak with Danny Miller and Carney Mahon doing double duty on the line and in the backfield was dominating the line of scrimmage. Jack Connors, Carney Mahon, Will Harrington and Timmy Halaby shared the bulk of the ball carring duties with the drive culminating in a touchdown with Timmy Halaby running a bootleg left into the end zone. The first half ended with the score Thunder 6 - Hempstead 0.

Waiting to return to the action The boys and coaching staff came out in the second half knowing that they had to continue with their disciplined, hard nosed play to preserve the lead. The Hempstead offense continued to be frustrated with the “No Surrender” defense swarming to the ball and some great individual tackles by Kieran Byrnes, Nick Giannone, Timmy Halaby with a couple of tackles for his losses, Timmy Halaby with a strip and Carney Mahon on the fumble recovery, Brian Tully with a head on touchdown saving tackle and Danny Dolan penetrating from his linebacker position for big tackles.

The Wall of White Jack Connors had a huge 41 yard run up the middle. On fourth and two the coaching staff made a gutsy call and went for it. The decision paid off when Carney Mahon ran off tackle and broke free for a 45 yard touchdown run. Timmy Halaby converted the PAT for a 13-0 lead.

After shutting down the Hempstead offense on their last drive, the game ended fittingly the way it started - with Jack Connors bulldozing up the middle shaking off Hempstead defenders.

Once again, the entire coaching staff is to be congratulated for having the boys so well prepared for a hard fought game. All the boys came ready to play and continue to impress their family and friends.

Some post game refreshments

Will Harrington finds some daylight Carney Mahon tries to break a tackle Coach Dolan gives some game time advice Timmy Halaby trying to turn the corner Coach Connors gives pre game pointers Thunder White “8’s”line up to play Hempstead Gang White Around the end and on his way Jack Connors and Michael Collins get pointers from Coach Dolan and Coach Byrnes on the three point stance