Keith Danks looks on as Scott D'Antonio takes it across the goal line The Garden City Thunder 10-year old maroon squad was off to a great start by securing convincing wins over both Long Beach and Hempstead. It was particularly gratifying that the very Hempstead squad that dominated our boys just one year ago fell victim to the Thunder with an electrifying and convincing 18-6 victory for GC.

In Week Three, the Thunder was on the road to face Uniondale. Once again, the boys were ready for battle. They welcomed back teammates Tyler Biscone, Nick Diglio and Matt Haeffner who were on the disabled list the prior week against Hempstead. The trio looked no worse for the wear as they gave 110% effort. Scott "the Scoring Machine" D'Antonio was on fire again with tremendous open-field running as he put the Thunder on the scoreboard time and time again.

Justin Guterding throws deep The offensive line put on a display of big blocking to keep the Machine on his roll. Once again, the defense was a gang-tackling wrecking crew that pounded any unfortunate Uniondale ball carrier into the turf.

Pat Keogh had some fine kickoffs that hurt the Uniondale offense's field position. Danny Jones, Keith Danks and Justin Guterding also had the moves to gain significant yardage along with D'Antonio. Jack O'Brien, Christian Capozzi, Nick Croce, Keith Danks, Eric Prevete and Chris Thomas also had some key blocks.

Brendan Fitzsimons approves of another Thunder victory! The defense was unrelenting as they swarmed the talented and powerful Uniondale running backs and continually frustrated their drives. Key tackles were made by collaborative efforts from Kyle Skramko, Nick Diglio, Tyler Biscone, Evan Mitchell, Greg Bolte, John Walczyk , Jack O'Brien, Brendan Fitzsimmons Michael Paxton and Harrison Will.

Spencer Bais continued to fill his role as a team leader by showing the opposition that toughness is a state of mind. Bais, like Justin Guterding, simply does not know the meaning of the words slow or stop. His intensity is an inspiration to his teammates and a real crowd pleaser, unless you were on the Uniondale side of the crowd!

Evan Mitchell & Kyle Scramko look to make the tackle in the backfield It appeared that week four was going to be another notch in what was shaping up to be a potential undefeated season for the Thunder last Friday night under the lights at the GC Community Park where the boys faced the visiting Franklin Square Warriors. Both teams appeared well prepared for the game but it was Scotty D that put the Thunder on the board once again. Things were looking bleak for the Warriors when the Thunder had secured a solid 18-6 lead. The Thunder recovered the ball after a Franklin Square fumble on the one yard line, but the pass was inexplicably ruled incomplete. Franklin Square scored another touchdown but was denied the extra point by the Thunder special teams defense.

The Thunder starters began to show signs of fatigue with limited substitutions as an apparently underutilized bench watched to witness the seemingly secure lead diminish. After a myriad of questionable officiating calls and ball placements, the Warriors went on to tie the Thunder at 18 all. This time, the Franklin Square offense was able to penetrate the end zone on the extra point and the game ended with a heartbreaking and frustrating 19-18 Thunder loss thus breaking their Fall 2005 unbeaten streak. It is said that you learn nothing by winning, but by losing. This Thunder Squad and their superior and dedicated coaching staff are sure to take the unfortunate loss to task and fuel the fire to succeed in their upcoming games. They played hard. They played well.

As the old adage goes, you "Can't win 'em all."

Go Thunder!!!!!!!!!