Garden City Thunder White 10's Ring Up Bellmore

Jack Connors to "The House" from 50 yards out

Our local heroes, playing before a large home crowd on a football Sunday afternoon, brought their own Thunder and Lightning to beautiful, sunny Stewart Field.

The pre-game coin toss called by co-captains Ryan Giacini, Kevin Mullin, James Dutton and Danny Miller was won by Bellmore. GC tried an onside kick that was recovered by Bellmore at midfield giving them excellent field position to start the game. It didn't seem to matter much to the "No Surrender" defense of Thomas Reina, Anthony Velez, Liam Fitzgerald, James Dutton, Michael Holland, Brian Hughes, Joey Burdi, Danny Miller, Danny Dolan, Jack Connors, Timmy Halaby, Connor Riedel, Anthony Kritis, Conor Byrnes, Kieran Byrnes and Michael Cassano who stuffed the Braves on the first series with the Thunder Road - Born to Run offense taking over at their own 37. Danny Miller pounded the ball for 10 yards on the first two carries of the game. On the next play Jack Connors blasting off tackle opened up his engines and let 'em roar, tearing down the highway like a big old dinosaur on a 53 yard gallop to the end zone. Timmy Halaby converted the extra point attempt behind a crushing block by Jack Connors who took out three would be tacklers.

You need to be Brave to run against Michael Cassano & Tommy Reina

The offense, led by the devastating blocking of Jack Reina at center, Kieran Byrnes, Zach Stamoulis, Louie Pagonis, Danny Dolan, Ryan Giacini, Brian Tully, Danny Miller, Kevin Mullen, Timmy Halaby and Jack Connors ,was relentless in its pursuit of excellence..

Mike Cassano made the tackle on the ensuing kickoff. On its first play of their second series, the Bellmore ball carrier broke through the line and appeared to be heading for the end zone when Joey Burdi once again made a touchdown saving tackle. After that play it went like this, Conor Byrnes sack for minus 5, Danny Miller sack for minus 10, Anthony Kritis tackle for minus 2. The message had been delivered. "Not here, not today, not in my hometown."

The remainder of the first half saw the defense dominating the Braves with Danny Miller recovering two fumbles to end two Bellmore drives, Timmy Halaby breaking off some nice runs and Kevin Mullen broke through the Bellmore line and was a long gone daddy in the U.S.A. running for a 36 yard touchdown.

Joey Burdi with an outstanding touchdown saving tackle

The second half featured a Timmy Halaby 10 yard TD behind some great downfield blocking led by Jack Reina, another dash to the end zone by Kevin Mullen from 38 yards out, tackles for losses by Conor Byrnes and Danny Dolan, QB pressures by Brian Hughes, nice kickoff returns by both Danny Miller and Zach Stamoulis, hard running by Kieran Byrnes, Zach Stamoulis, Anthony Velez and Anthony Kritis along with most of the players seeing action from the defensive side of the football. Final result: GC 25 - Bellmore 14.

The Thunder White will be meeting the Thunder Maroon next Sunday in what promises to be a great game. Go Thunder!