The Garden City Thunder 10 year-old "Maroon" squad traveled to Massapequa Saturday night for a showdown with the 4 - 0 Mustangs. Despite a gutty performance and a raucous visiting crowd, the Mustangs prevailed in a 14-7 defensive battle.

The Mustangs scored on their first possession, after Garden City turned the ball over on downs, to take an 8-0 lead. From then on, the game became a battle of field position and defensive stands.

In the middle of the second quarter, the Thunder had the ball deep in their own territory. On 2nd and 6, Scott D'Antonio took an inside hand-off and, following some fine blocking, finally got free down the right sideline for a 60-yard touchdown run.

Late in the first half, with the Thunder still trailing 8-7, the Mustangs began a drive that would bring them to the Garden City 20 yard-line. With little time left on the clock, the Mustangs lined up for one last play before half-time. Coach Bolte called for time-out after seeing how the Mustangs came up to the line of scrimmage and reset his defense. Whatever he called worked. The Mustang quarterback dropped back to pass looking to hit a receiver on a post pattern. But safety Michael Paxton, playing a deep centerfield, was waiting. He timed his jump just right and made a fine interception to finish the first half.

The momentum created by the interception carried over to the second half. Although the Thunder was pinned deep at their own 25-yard line, a Mustang face-mask penalty quickly gave the Thunder good field position. The Thunder then took 9:00 minutes off the clock as they drove to the Mustang 16-yard line. But on 4th and 5, the Mustangs put nine men in the box and blitzed everyone, stuffing the Thunder drive.

The Mustangs would score one more time, but miss the extra point, giving the Thunder an opportunity.

Following an impressive defensive stand, the Thunder had one more chance. Two plays to the left and a nifty halfback option from Danks to Bais put the Thunder at the Mustang 15 yard-line. But time would run out on this comeback.