W. Glenn J. Tobin and M. Esposito blocking on the line This past Sunday GCAA Thunder Eight Old football team faced a tough competitor from Farmingdale. Some would say that the team's performance resembled a glass that was half empty on Sunday, but I would argue the point that the Thunder Margarita glass was half filled. This is a team that never quits. After being down 14-0 just before the first half was to come to an end they woke up out of their slumber and scored with a minute to go before the half came to a close. Thomas Wright ran a QB sweep left that went 60 yards for the score. The play's success was due the outstanding blocking on the left side of the line, which was led by Patrick Slovensky, Jack Brennan, Jack Tobin, and Will Glenn. It should also be noted that the beginning of each and every play starts with the exchange between the center and QB. This year Alex Ferzola has done an exceptional job at getting the ball into his QB's hands. Without Alex's perfect execution of the snap 99.9% of the time this season the offense would go no where! Going into the half Thunder was down by a score of 14-6. The glass was half filled and the team was determined to fill up to the top in the second half.

Chris Repetti just misses intercepting the ball The second half of the game was frustrating at times for Thunder. Ryan Eschman ran a 47 counter with a guard pull that went for a 50 yard TD score that was called back due to of an inadvertent whistle by the referee. Sorry folks no instant replay at this level of play. Having the TD called back was like the feeling you get when you loose your favorite shaker of salt. Still the team did not quit and the defense dug in and stopped the strong Farmingdale offense a couple of big defensive series. Chris Repetti had another big game for Thunder playing the cornerback position. Chris made some great open field tackles and came very close to intercepting a pass. Matthew Borges punished Farmingdale with his tenacious play at LB. Ben Walsh stopped the running attack up the middle. Collin Castro, who plays the other cornerback position, had a big game making numerous open field tackles. Luke Armstrong and The Mighty Quinn McDonagh also contributed their fare share of tough defensive play by creating problems for the Farmingdale offense.

Mathew Borges with a HUGE Tackle We did have a breakdown on tackling and Farmingdale was able to score on a long run, which put them up by a score of 20-12. Still the Thunder team would not quit! At one point Ryan McCartney was asked to rip off the cast on his arm and suit up to play. The team could have used his contributions to help ignite a badly needed scoring drive. Our team doctor would not approve this action - so Ryan had to remain on the sidelines and root for his team. His play this year has been missed by the team! Thunder did score again on QB sweep that went 50 yards for a late game score. The game ended with the score at 20-12.

Jack Concannon with block that knocks defenders down The team came up a little short, but they never QUIT! Next week we play the rough and tough Warriors down in Franklin Square. Thunder is looking to turn things around next week - so come on out and root for your favorite bunch of eight year old football players!

FINS UP!