Garden City Thunder Halaby 11's Shut Off Uniondale Knights

David Gage with a tackle in the backfield

The boys of Indian Summer traveled this past Sunday to take on a tough Uniondale Knight squad who were still stewing over last year's Thunder victory.

The "No Surrender" defense started the game by once again dominating the first series and holding Uniondale to negative yardage with a big hit by Danny Dolan. The "Born to Run - Thunder Road" offense quickly took to racing in the streets with Timmy Halaby bursting for a 17 yard TD and Matt Greene converting the EP for an early Thunder 7 - 0 lead.

The next Knight offensive serics was another four and out with Zach Stamoulis penetrating into the backfield for a loss to end the threat. The Thunder Road offense took over with Brian Irwin, Scott Irwin, Zach Stamoulis, Mike Cassano, Jack Reina, Danny Dolan, Danny Miller and Brett Stewart blocking for Jack Connors, Timmy Halaby, Danny Simmons and Matt Greene and sustaining a drive that ate most of the clock but ended at the Uniondale 18.

Uniondale once again could not move the ball against the No Surrender D. Anthony Kritis with a tackle in the backfield, Danny Miller with a sack of the QB and Timmy Halaby knocking down a pass led the charge on this series. Once again, the infantry in the trenches, Jack Connors, David Gage, Kyle Wein, Mike Cassano, Albert Soussis, Tommy Reina, Zach Stamoulis and Danny Miller, backed up by the calvary, Matt Greene, Danny Dolan, Danny Simmons, Brett Stewart, Timmy Halaby, Connor Riedel, Anthony Kritis and Richie Mattone shut down anyone who dared enter into the badlands of Thunder territory.

Anthony Kritis's touchdown saving tackle

The half ended with a Matt Greene to Brett Stewart pass and run that went for 20 yards.

The second half again featured the Thunder Road offense eating up most of the clock with long runs by Simmons, Connors, Halaby and Greene. One drive ended with Matt Greene breaking out of a pile of tacklers and not stopping until he got to Darlington County 37 yards away.

The second half also provided defensive plays worthy of the highlight reel: Danny Dolan with a sack from the inside linebacker position, Anthony Kritis coming all the way across the field to catch a Knight from behind and save a TD and Richie Mattone intercepting a pass late in the game to seal the deal. Final Score: GC Thunder 13 - Knights 0.

Connor Riedell leads the Thunder Wedge

The team continues to improve and play hard. The only drawback to the game (if any) was that the offense controlled the ball for so much of the clock that the defense was off the field. Catch the fever. GO THUNDER!

Richie Mattone with another textbook tackle