Center Thomas Casciano is ready to snap to John Simmons as the Offensive line is ready: Christian Coppola, Howie Miller, Brendan Schick, Brandon Holloway, Matt Quinn, and Bret Bello. Nothing can be better than being 9 years old and winning your first football game of the season, the first season without coaches on the field and the feeling of responsibility in having to know the plays like little "professionals." Paul Muscarella's Thunder 9 Maroon boys played hard and smart from start to finish, edging out the Baldwin Bombers in an exciting and adrenaline-charged 15-12 victory in their Season Opener Sunday, Sept 9th in Baldwin.

Both teams appeared evenly matched, scoring 2 touchdowns each. GC showed their superiority, however, by scoring the extra point on their 2nd touchdown and making a rare Safety (2 points), whereas Baldwin did not convert for the extra point on either of their touchdowns.

Having won the coin toss, Thunder's surprising first play - a passing play! - let Baldwin know GC would be a tough opponent; QB John Simmons threw to Christian Coppola, who almost had it if not for a timely Baldwin deflection. Great running plays and outstanding blocking followed as Thunder's Offensive team gained yards a few at a time for a series of first downs that resulted in Thunder's first touchdown of the season.

Max Webster, Dan Confort, and Matt Muscarella savor Thunder Maroon's exciting win Flawless blocking by the Of-fensive line: Thomas Cassiano at Center, Brendan Schick and Brandon Holloway at Guard, Howie Miller and Matt Quinn at Tackle, and Bret Bello and Christian Coppola at Tight End.

3-Back Dan Confort plowed through the middle several times for gain, as Max Webster, Brian Haeffner, Andrew Wood, and Scott Kiley all made first downs. QB John Simmons broke a key tackle and ran like the wind for a 30-yard first down, and Confort gained yards on successive runs. With Thunder at Fourth and Goal, the line blocked beautifully as Simmons flew over the pile into the end zone. 6-0 Thunder!

On Defense, great Thunder tackles shut down Baldwin's first drive without a first down. Way to go, "D": Linemen Michael Goulard, Matt Mus-carella, Brian McKenna, Patrick Hosford, Brandon Holloway, Ryan Galioto, Bret Bello, Howie Miller, Dan Confort; Linebackers Stephen Moran, Kyle Thornton, and Max Webster, Cornerbacks Bobby McLoughlin and John Simmons, and Safety Jonston MacIntyre.

The Defensive line sets up: Howie Miller, Brendan Schick, Max Webster, Michael Goulard, Dan Confort. Baldwin compensated on their next drive as back-to-back long runs gave them a touchdown. Score tied 6-6 at the Half.

Thunder came back fighting! Breaking 2 tackles, QB Kyle Thornton had an amazing 70-yard touchdown run, with help from Brian Haeffner who made a huge hit on Baldwin's last defenseman, allowing Kyle to run all-the-way! So exciting! Andrew Wood scored the extra point, and Thunder led 13-6.

Thunder's lead was short-lived, Despite touchdown-saving tackles by Max Webster, Brian Haeffner, and John Sim-mons, Baldwin scored again, but did not make the extra point. 13-12 Thunder.

QB John Simmons breaks this tackle and continues for 30-yard first down. An unfortunate GC fumble and Baldwin recovery at the goal line wound up having a "silver lining" as the Thunder Defense gang-tackled the Baldwin ball-carrier in the end zone for a SAFETY! 15-12 Thunder.

On Baldwin's last possession, with less than 2 minutes left, they threatened with 2 long first downs. The Thunder Defense said, "No Way!" as they made 2 key tackles in a row in Balwin's backfield for successive loss of Baldwin yards! OUTSTANDING DEFENSE!!

The clock ran out as Thunder celebrated their 15-12 victory. Go, Thunder Maroon!

. Several first down on their drives and scored 2 touchdowns. Those boys are Michael Collins, Pat Gerspach, Ryan Giacini, Nick Giannone, Brian Goulard, Bryan and Scott Irwin, Andrew Magdich, Kieran McGoldrick, Liam McGuiness, Danny Simmons, Jack Tigh, and Marty Waters. The Defensive team demonstrated great blocking and tackling, holding back Hicksville's offense, many times with four straight downs. Those boys are: Chris Connolly, Cameron Kern, James Lark, Devon McGuiness, Andrew Moonan, Bret Stewart, Connor Tarich, Kyle Wein.

QB Kyle Thornton takes it all the way for a 70-yard touchdown run, as Michael Goulard and Max Webster aid. Some Highlights: On GC's second offensive drive, quarterback Jack Tigh made a great 40-yard run. Fullback Danny Simmons plowed through for another 7-yard gain, and on the next play Tigh ran the ball for a touchdown.

Later in the first half with GC on their own 25 yard line, Tigh threw a mighty pass to Bryan Irwin, who caught the ball on the 4 yard line for a 1st down - first and goal. The boys were really having fun now, and the volume created by the "fans" (parents and families) was impressive. The set-up was ideal for a GC touchdown, and Michael Collins made a nice run-in, making the score 12-0 GC at the end of the half.

The second half saw running yard-age gained by Pat Gerspach, Brian Goulard, Liam McGuiness, and Michael Collins. With Hicksville on their 25 yard line threatening to score, Connor Tariche sacked the quarterback -- which is SO MUCH fun! Hicksville did score on the next play and made the extra point to make it 12-7, GC.

Brian Haeffner carries for gain; great blocking provided by the line. With 4 minutes to go in the game, Hicksville drove hard, completing a 30-yard run. The Thunder defense held tight, nearly recovering a fumble and then running the Hicksville halfback out of bounds at their 15 yard line for 4th down. Time ran out for Hicksville as the Thunder 9 Grey team went on to victory!