GC Thunder-White 7s 2004 Team. (Top row starting from the left: Coaches, Rich Smith, Rich Sullivan, Cliff Thomas, Bill Goepfert, Vin Muldoon; Second row: #45 Ryan Smith, #34 Matt Thomas, #25 Jack Tobin, #68 Colin DeAngelo; Third row: #48 Luke Armstrong, #58 James Sullivan, #11 Kevin Johnson, #77 Brian Goepfert, #21 Chris Larkin, #72 Mike Crapotta, #70 Thomas Tubridy; Fourth Row: #41 Quinn McDonagh, #12 Jimmy Cerise, #74 Chris Moscatiello, #32 Nick Bonelli, #28 Evan Nagel, #54 Alex Wood, #80 Connor Muldoon - missing is Coach Ray Larkin). On a picture perfect Sunday afternoon the GC Thunder-White 7 year old team played their last game of the season against the Baldwin Bombers. The smell of autumn was in the air, bright blue sky, foliage in peak color, a perfect day for football at Stewart School field. The Thunder just finished their final week of practice with every team member giving a 110% effort in preparing for this highly anticipated game against a talented and respected Bomber team.

The game day captains, Luke Armstrong, Mike “The Fridge” Crapotta and Jack Tobin led the team in their pre game warms ups, and then onto the center of the field for the coin toss. The Bombers called heads, and it landed tails with the Thunder electing to receive the football. The Thunder offense ran out on to the field led by Luke Armstrong at center. The Thunder offensive line, Chris Larkin, Chris Moscatiello, Brian Goepfert, Matt Thomas, Alex Wood and Connor Muldoon made some huge holes for the Thunder running backs. Nick Bonelli ran a right power play for an 8 yard gain, followed by Evan Nagel up the middle for 5 yards and a Thunder first down. The Thunder’s quarterback James Sullivan followed with a QB sweep right for a 7 yard gain, then with a QB sneak up the middle behind Luke Armstrong for a 10 yard gain moving the sticks for another Thunder first down. The crowd was roaring as the Thunder setup a left sweep to Colin DeAngelo behind the Thunder blocks of Chris Moscatiello and critical block by tight end, Chris Larkin that enabled him to turn the corner and put it in the end zone! The Thunder’s extra point failed, but they were able to strike first, GC=6 Baldwin=0.

Out came the tough Thunder defense, Jimmy “JC” Cerise, Jack Tobin, Quinn McDonagh, and Mike “The Fridge” Crapotta led the linemen determined to hold the explosive Bomber offense. Alex Wood set the tone with an All Star effort penetrating into the Bomber backfield tackling their running back for a 5 yard loss. Then the Bombers started to get into a grove moving the ball down the field. The Thunder defense would not be deterred; Mike “The Fridge” Crapotta playing tackle was preventing any inside movement with some big hits. The Bombers then were attempting sweeps against Connor Muldoon and Brian Goepfert who were playing defensive ends, they contained every time. Linebackers James Sullivan and Matt Thomas continued to pound away at the Bombers backs, but they kept coming and were able to put it in the end zone and convert on the extra point. GC=6 Baldwin=7.

The Thunder offense headed back on the field focused on regaining the lead. The Thunder offensive line continued to make key blocks, Nick Bonelli running behind Alex Wood, Evan Nagel and Connor Muldoon for an impressive 15 yard gain. Then James Sullivan ran a QB bootleg to the left behind an incredible block by Chris Larkin for a 20 yard run and another Thunder first down. The Thunder then ran an off tackle play to the left and the Bombers collapsed the hole so Colin DeAngelo put it into over drive and sped around the end to break one, two and three tackles to put the Thunder back on top, GC=12 Bombers=7.

The Thunder defense continued to make big plays, Quinn McDonagh blew by his defender to make a solo tackle, then Jack Tobin stepped up crashing down on the end to prevent a Bomber sweep play. Brian Goepfert and Alex Wood both were in the backfield chasing the Bomber running back for 15 yard loss and they were forced to punt. With 4 minutes left in the half the Thunder mounted another drive but ran out of time.

During the half time break Thomas Tubridy, #70 who was sidelined with Mononucleosis half way through the season came out to cheer his teammates on, the Thunder were determined to win this one for Thomas and his dedication to the team, the Thunder began to chant Thomas, Thomas….Thomas.

The Bombers started the second half testing the Thunder’s defensive. Evan Nagel and Nick Bonelli playing corner back had double responsibilities today with Ryan Smith and Kevin Johnson out of the game on the injured reserve list. The Thunder secondary did not allow any large Bomber gains and contained their sweeps with some amazing hitting. Colin DeAngelo had a touchdown saving tackle, while Matt Thomas and James Sullivan were teaming up to make the Bomber’s earn every yard. Jimmy “JC” Cerise made it into the backfield to flush the QB out of the pocket, with Chris Moscatiello making the hit putting the Bombers into a fourth down situation. The Bombers went for it on fourth and two and converted the first down, and then six plays later put it in the end zone but did not convert the extra point. GC=12 Baldwin=13

The Thunder put another impressive drive together again with Evan Nagel up the middle, then Connor Muldoon ran off tackle behind Brian Goepfert and Chris Moscatiello for the Thunder’s third touchdown breaking two tacklers. Connor then ran the same play to convert the extra point giving the lead back to the Thunder. GC=19 Baldwin=13, the Thunder were back on top.

The Bomber’s were as determined as the Thunder and mounted an impressive drive for a 1 yard touchdown run, then converting on the extra point to gain the lead again, GC=19 Baldwin-20. There was 5 minutes left in the game and the Thunder were not giving up, mounting another remarkable drive, the Thunder picked apart the Bomber defense with superb blocking. The Thunder really came together as a team at this critical juncture in the game. James Sullivan ran another bootleg for a Thunder first down and Connor Muldoon followed with a 20-yard run to put the Thunder on the 12 yard line with 51 seconds in the game. A time out was called as the coaches huddled up with the team. Nick Bonelli asked for the ball, he was committed to putting it in the end zone. The Thunder front line were ready to make their blocks to ensure a victory. The team executed the play flawlessly, Nick ran behind Matt Thomas and Alex Wood with running backs Evan Nagel and Colin DeAngelo leading the way. Touchdown! The crowd was roaring, traffic stopped on Stewart Avenue horns were blowing, the Thunder had regained the lead with 30 seconds left in the game! The Thunder then converted the extra point, GC=26 Baldwin=20, this game was an emotional roller coaster with seven lead changes.

Alex Wood, Chris Larkin, Jimmy “JC” Cerise, Quinn McDonagh, and Luke Armstrong came up with a team tackle in the backfield to end game and the Thunder’s successful season. The Thunder’s final record was (4-3-1). These are a very special group of young men who made significant sacrifices since August 1st four days a week to play the game of football, true champions that exemplified sportsmanship and teamwork throughout the season. Way to go Thunder, great season, we are proud of you! See you next year.