Kevin Mullin runs to daylight with help from his friends The Thunder White 10's met the team Vinny Testaverde made famous on Monday Night Football a couple of seasons ago - the Franklin Square Warriors. Playing on a beautiful football Sunday at Warren King Field before the biggest crowd of the season, the Thunder came out determined in their quest to reach the playoffs.

The pre-game coin toss was called by co-captains Anthony Velez (our fallen leader), Joey Burdi, Mike Cassano, Anthony Kritis and Connor Riedel and won by the Thunder. Liam Fitzgerald got the game off to a flying start with a return of the kickoff to the 46 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, however, the Thunder turned the ball over to the Warriors.

The Warriors came out with an aerial attack that was soon deflated by the swarming "No Surrender" defense allowing the "Thunder Road - Born to Run" offense to take the ball over at their own 16 yard line. Danny Miller and Jack Connors began the artillery barrage behind the blocking of Jack Reina, Zach Stamoulis, Louie Pagonis, Mike Cassano, Danny Dolan, the "Bruise Brothers" Kieran and Conor Byrnes, Ryan Giacini and Brian Tully and quickly moved the ball downfield to the Franklin Square side of the fifty. After the thunder came the lightning with Kevin Mullen and Timmy Halaby providing strikes of 34 yards and 13 yards on back to back plays. Timmy Halaby then took the ball in from the 1 on a QB keeper to open up the scoring.

Danny Miller outruns everyone for the TD The remainder of the first half saw more of the same offensive firepower with a 52 yard TD by Kevin Mullen called back on a yellow flag away from the play. The defense continued to do its job by completely shutting down the Warrior offense. Joey Burdi once again made the highlight reel with another sparkling interception. The half ended with GC up by a score of 7 - 0.

Franklin Square came out to start the second half as though they had Vinny T. at quarterback and quickly moved the ball downfield to score. The crucial extra point was thwarted by Joey Burdi who refused to allow the Warrior ball carrier across the border.

Zach Stamoulis took the ensuing kickoff back to midfield to give the Thunder excellent field position. GC managed only four yards on their first two plays from scrimmage. The Warrior fans were whooping it up in the stands with the expectation that momentum had swung in their direction when Danny Miller broke off tackle, raced outside and turned it upfield for a 46 yard TD to take the life out of Franklin Square and electrify the Thunder. Timmy Halaby converted the extra point to give GC some breathing room at 14 - 6.

Louie Pagonis & Michael Cassano lead the Thunder wedge In the meantime, the "No Surrender" defense came alive with some great team play and outstanding individual plays. James Dutton stepped up with tackles for losses on consecutive plays, Liam Fitzgerald chased down the Warrior QB for a loss, Michael Holland consistently plugged the middle gaps forcing the ball carriers into jungleland, Mike Cassano created constant chaos at the line, Conor Byrnes dominated bigger players and made several tackles for losses, Jack Connors and Danny Miller manned the ramparts at the defensive end positions and compressed the action inside, Anthony Kritis came up to stop all plays at the line of scrimmage, Danny Dolan called the defensive signals and blitzes and nailed anyone who dared to approach the line, the corps of Kieran Byrnes, Connor Riedel and Tommy Reina were not only called upon to stop all runners but also dropped into pass coverage, Timmy Halaby flew to the ball all over the field, Brian Hughes at linebacker, defensive end and safety made plays no matter what position he was in, and Joey Burdi never allowed a ball carrier past him or a pass completed in his neighborhood.

Nice game - next stop - Playoffs! Timmy Halaby scored the hat trick when he shaked and baked for a 35 yard TD and took the ball in again this time from 6 yards out to make the final tally Thunder White 26 - Franklin Square Warriors 6.

Thunder White's season continues into the playoffs where they will meet the first place Farmingdale 10's. In spite of the loss of Anthony Velez to a fractured wrist, Thunder White go into this game with heads up and expectations high. No retreat, no surrender. Go Thunder!

A fired-up Thunder squad take the field