Thunder Team White The GCAA Thunder Team White 8 year olds completed a hugely successful season in front of another sell out crowd. The Thunder were playing the undefeated Massapequa Mustangs on another beautiful Indian summer day. The Thunder just completed a great week of practice and were fired up to lay it all out on the line for 60 minutes to play some great football.

After the National Anthem, Matt Thomas, Thomas Tubridy and Alex Wood, game day captains, met the Mustang captains at mid field. Matt Thomas called tails for the toss and won it for the Thunder and elected to receive the ball.

The Thunder offense sprinted out onto the field with the sound of "Sugar Shack" blaring in the background. Lucas Hildreth, Chris Larkin, James Sullivan, James O'Sullivan, Brian "Moose" Colamussi and Alex Wood made up the tough offensive line, with Evan Nagel at Center. Thomas Tubridy got the nod and was running the offense. Brian Goepfert ran up the middle for a 2 yard gain, then Nick Bonelli off tackle for another 3 yards, then Colin DeAngelo the other direction cut back for a 9 yard gain and Thunder first down! The crowd was roaring, as the chains were reset. The Thunder then ran a sweep for another 5 yard gain, which setup a tight end reverse to Brian "Moose" Colamussi for another 5 yards and a Thunder first down. The Thunder were marching down the field playing some great smash mouth football. James Sullivan then switched with Thomas Tubridy at QB and ran a QB sweep for a 13 yard gain, followed by a series of short yardage plays which setup a second down with the Thunder on the 5 yard line, they were knocking on the door. Colin DeAngelo ran behind some great blocking to put it in the end zone for the Thunder! The Thunder striked first, and followed by converting the extra point putting the Thunder ahead 7-0. The crowd was roaring on the Thunder sideline, and "Sugar Shack" music stopped, the Mustangs were in for a game.

Thunder at the Homecoming Parade The Thunder defense then rumbled out onto the field, led by the tough defensive line Timmy Butler, Brendan Digan, George Petropoulos, Mike "The Fridge" Crapotta, Andrew Mohacsi, Joey Matina and Joseph Morreale. Jay McNamara, Nick Bonelli and Evan Nagel were sharing responsibilities at corner back determined to stop the Mustang explosive offense. The linebackers James Sullivan and Brian Goepfert would not allow anything up the middle. The Mustangs were pounding up the middle but Brendan Digan and Andrew Mohacsi were playing some great team tackling today and would only allow short yardage gains. The Mustangs then ran off tackle into Tim Butler who had an outstanding game putting the Mustangs into a 4th and short situation. But the Mustang line dug in and pounded up the middle for the extra yard keeping their drive alive. Eventually the Mustangs put the ball into the end zone but not without a tough battle by the Thunder defense. The Mustang's extra point was stopped by a sea of Thunder White Jerseys, text book gang tackling and the Thunder were still ahead (GC=7 Mustangs=6).

Amazing Thunder Blocking Sets Up 1st TD Mike "The Fridge" Crapotta at center and Nick Donner at tackle led the second offensive series. The Thunder truly were missing their key blocker, Nick Gray, who was on the injured reserve list, he suited up for the game but the team doctor felt it was best to rest up for next season. The Mustangs were playing some tough defense and forced the Thunder to punt. During the Thunder's third offensive series the Thunder's secret weapon Stephen D'Antonio was told to warm up his arm to run the half back pass, Stephen has been 3 for 4 this season and the offense needed a spark. The play was run, the pass thrown but just beyond the reach of the Moose, three more inches and he had it. Then the half time whistle blew.

QB Sneak for a First Down In the second half the Thunder mounted an impressive 18 play drive with Thomas Ilardi at center and George Petropoulos, Chris Larkin, James O'Sullivan and Joseph Morreale clearing the way. The Thunder scored on a QB sweep with the crowd roaring with 13 minutes remaining in the game it was (GC=13 Mustangs=19).

The Mustangs then mounted another impressive offensive drive of their own putting it in the end zone with 3 minutes left in the game leaving the Thunder little time to make up a two touchdown lead and time expired on what was a great game by both teams. (GC=13 Mustangs=25).

The Thunder Team White have posted some impressive statistics this season finishing with a 5-3 overall record, 1,607 total yards of offense, 132 total points while only allowing 51 points. But the most impressive statistic was the width of the smiles at the end of every game and the season. These young men have learned the lesson of hard work and sacrifice to achieve something special as a team, while building some great friendships that we hope will last a long time. Outstanding job Thunder, the coaching staff, parents, family and friends are extremely proud of you! Go Thunder!