Thunder Team White 8s Sunday, October 23, 2005 - The GC Thunder Team White 8 year olds faced the Long Beach Bull Dogs at home this past Sunday under an autumn sky with the smell football in the air. Game day captains James O'Sullivan, George Petropoulos, and James Sullivan had a look of determine and intensity in their eyes as they met the Long Beach captains at mid-field for the coin toss. The Bull Dogs won the toss and elected to go on offense, so out came the Thunder defense. Brendan Digan, Joey Matina, Andrew Mohacsi, Joseph Morreale, Stephen D'Antonio and Nicholas Donner made up the tough defensive line. The Thunder defense has been impressive this season posting its fourth game this season where they did not allow a touch down. Jay McNamara playing corner back was amazing all game making some critical tackles and containing the speedy Long Beach running backs.

Stephen D'Antonio Launches a 20 yard pass. The Thunder offensive led by Thomas Tubridy at quarterback and Mike "The Fridge" Crapotta at center mounted an impressive drive with Alex Wood pounding away up the middle for a 36 yard gain behind the strong blocking of Nicholas Gray and Tim Butler, the Thunder took the ball right down the middle of the field followed by a Matt Thomas six yard power run behind a Chris Larkin block, then a Nick Bonelli eight yard run set up the first touch down of the day by Alex Wood, who ran up the middle again. The conversion failed, but the Thunder were ahead early (GC=6, LB=0). The Thunder defense continued to swarm the Long Beach running backs, Lucas Hildreth kept making some key penetration to put the Bull Dogs in a fourth and long forcing them to punt.

Andrew Mohasci sacking the QB James Sullivan at quarterback and Evan Nagel at center led the next offensive series beginning with a short gain by Colin DeAngelo. James Sullivan then ran a 24 yard bootleg behind James O'Sullivan for the second score of the day. The Thunder converted the extra point giving the Thunder a 13 point lead. (GC=13, LB=0).

James Sullivan is just too fast The Thunder defense came roaring out onto the field again to protect the lead. They did more than that, they caused two fumbles with some fierce hitting by Andrew Mohacsi who sacked the Long Beach QB for an eight yard loss then Nicholas Gray made huge play shooting the "A gap" to stop the full back for a two yard loss and forced the Bull Dogs to punt again giving the offense some great field position.

The offense was looking to put additional points on the board prior to the half and mounted an impressive drive with Tommy Ilardi sharing center responsibilities. Matt Thomas got the call for a six yard run on first down, followed by Nick Bonelli for another six yard gain with Brian Goepfert at full back with a critical lead block. The secret weapon got the nod and Stephen D'Antonio came running out on the field to run the half back pass, he threw a perfect pass but a great play was made by the Bull Dog cornerback to deny the Thunder of their third touchdown. Then Brian Goepfert ran a reverse for 14 yard gain to the six yard line, the play was made possible by a Chris Larkin and George Petropoulos team block. Thomas Tubridy then ran a QB sneak behind Thomas Ilardi to the six inch line which setup a Nick Bonelli power run right behind Nicholas Donner who cleared the way into the end zone. The extra point was converted giving the Thunder a 20 point lead at half time.

The second half began with the Thunder back on offense. Lucas Hildreth got the call for a six yard gain up the middle, followed by a Nick Donner four yard sweep, Evan Nagel then added another five yards for another Thunder first down. Mike "The Fridge" Crapotta looked more like Larry Czonka pounding up the middle behind Tim Butler and Joseph Morreale for a four yard gain. The Thunder were chewing up the clock with some great blocking. Chris Larkin then scampered for an eight yard gain which setup and first down run by Jay McNamara, pounding through defenders. Joey Matina then ran a sweep behind a big block by Brendan Digan that put the Thunder in a first down situation. James Sullivan then ran a QB sweep giving the Thunder their final score. Colin DeAngelo ran like a lightening bolt for the extra point to put the Thunder ahead for good 27-0.

The Thunder are now 5-2 and meet the undefeated Massapequa Mustangs on Sunday, October 30th 11am at Massapequa for their final game. The Thunder look forward to having Brian "Moose" Colamussi off the injured reserve list and rejoining the team. Come out and cheer the Thunder on, go Thunder!