Thunder free-safety, Mike Mahramas “I am the man, I suffered, I was there”

- Whitman

On the heels of their most lopsided defeat spanning three seasons, a 26-0 drubbing at the hands of the NCYFL 2002-2003 finalist Farmingdale Hawks, the Thunder Maroon 11-year old gridders returned to the wooded confines of Stewart Field desperately seeking their first league victory. The whispering winds of Ivan’s last gasp ushered out the final days of Indian summer, in providing quintessential autumn weather. On this day, the visiting Floral Park Titans were no match for coach Bob Jahelka’s Thunder Boys. On GC’s third play from scrimmage, wingback Charlie Garcia reversed left and behind key blocks by Billy Allen, Jeff Bolte and Scott Eilbeck, sprinted 55-yards to glory. Floral Park responded in mounting an impressive 8-play 60-yard scoring drive to tie the game and set the stage for the pivotal play of the game. The Titans ensuing kick-off, a low line-drive was initially mishandled by upback, Dan McCallan. Displaying great poise, McCallan calmly scooped up the loose ball and to the roar of the crowd, motored 60-yards past an over-pursuing Titan kick-coverage to instantly put GC back on top. Later, Matt “Crazy Legs” Clarkson electrified the Thunder loyalists with a dazzling 50-yard zig-zagging against the grain TD scamper as the Thunder took to intermission with a commanding 20-6 lead.

Steve Jahelka lead blocks for Charlie Garcia Floral Park’s second-half opening kick-off provided more special-teams drama and one of the season’s most memorable plays. The Titans made no attempt to disguise their onsides-kick attempt, in lining 8 players to the left of their kicker. Charlie Garcia cleanly fielded the squib kick on the right side of the field, and behind a crushing blindside pancake block by Brendan Logan, reversed his field and bolted 60-yards up the undermanned left side of the field for Garden City’s second kick-off return touchdown of the game. Unbelievably, the Thunder Boys lead 26-6 despite having run just a mere five offensive plays from scrimmage. Brendan Bishop, Scott McElroy, and P.J. Cline spearheaded a Thunder defense that held the Titans scoreless over the games’ final three-quarters. Late in the game, behind the blocking of Matt Slovensky, Mike Mahrahmas, Brian Fisher, Jonathan Philippou, and Kevin D’Antonio, Garden City marched 65-yards in 10-plays as Kyle Johnson, James Wright, and Joe Barbato alternately moved the chains before fullback Mike Lofrese claimed scoring honors with his one-yard plunge. Austin Kufs’ spinning extra-point conversion run closed out the contest’s scoring in putting the exclamation point on a dominating 33-6 Thunder victory. Next Sunday, 9/26 at 2PM, the stakes will be much higher as the Thunder Boys (2-1) venture to Newbridge Road Park to play the division’s #4 seed, the high-powered Bellmore Braves (1-1). For more details and great game photos, please visit our website at www.GCThunder.com.

QB Kyle Johnson poised in the pocket GO THUNDER!!!!