Thunder…… SET!! One point separated the Thunder Maroon 8s from a miraculous last-minute tie against the Farmingdale Dalers. When after scoring a late touchdown to come within one point of the Dalers, the QB sneak for the extra point was stopped just short of the goal line. Coach Blair will be sure to practice the goal line offense this week in practice.

On a Sunday that was more like Lambeau in November than Long Island in September, ball control and defense was at a premium. With few exceptions, the Thunder defenders gave little ground to the Dalers.

Touchdown! Anthony Preziosi. The highlight of the game was a Sports Center Top Ten interception by Drew “Mad Dog” Magdich. “Mad Dog’s” pick set up the late score, but unfortunately it was too little too late.

The offense got off to a fast start: Anthony “Sweetness” Preziosi opening the scoring with a sweep right that went all the way to the house. Key blocking from the offensive line of Jack “Youngblood” Aneser, Peter “The Rock” Luglio, Ryan “The Intimidator” Guarino and Marty “Let’s get Muddy” Waters helped open the holes against the Farmingdale defense.

It should be noted that Brian “Big County” Goulard and his Dad, Assistant Coach Patrick “Pangea” Goulard made the drive in from Montauk the morning of the game. Now that’s called dedication to Thunder football.

L-R: Teammates Marty Waters, Kevin Mullin, Andrew Magdich, and JP Moran. The Thunder backfield of Mike “Steam Train” Keating, Richie “Nails” Mattone, Ryan “Big Game” Blair and Joe “Bang Bang” Burdi played tough against the Dalers.

Hard hits and tackles were made by Anthony “Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick” Kritis, Kyle “Seek and Destroy" Harder, Anthony “The Stinga” Zinga, Matt “Fearless” Greene, Desmond “O what a hit” O’Malley and Kevin “Crusher” Mullin.

Liam McGuiness has a hawk in his sights. Liam “Monster” McGuiness had his usual 14 tackles and that type of play was contagious, as JP “The Hammer” Moran, Christ “Bonecrusher” Connolly, Jack “No Pain” Kennelly, Daniel “The Truth” Romero, and Alex “Flash” Umland all swarmed to the Daler ball carriers throughout the game.

As the final whistle blew and Coach Blair walked off the field one point short, he chose not to dwell on the loss. He encouraged the team to keep their heads high and learn from this tough, if not bitter, defeat.

“Gentlemen,” he said, “one can’t make it to the mountain top before starting in the valley.”

Michael Keating #71 and Team Thunder During Pre-Game Warm Up. Words of wisdom.

Go Thunder!

“The Thunderettes”…… Let’s go Thunder. Coach Blair, Goulard, and Guarino giving last minute instructions to the defense. Richie Mattone and Marty Waters leading the offense off the field. Matt Greene #51 Moving in for the tackle. Team Thunder getting a well deserved break.