Garden City Thunder "C" Outbrave Braves

JCon's block springs Matt Greene for the TD

The GC Thunder Halaby 11's toughed it out against the Bellmore Braves A squad this past Sunday at Newbridge Field. The game was a real donnybrook from start to finish and would not be settled until late in the second half.

The "Thunder Road - Born to Run" offense started the game, as it always does, by once again dominating the first series with a sustained drive behind the blocking of Zach Stamoulis, Brett Stewart, Brian Irwin, Scott Irwin, Jack Reina, Danny Miller, Danny Dolan and Mike Cassano and runs by Matt Greene at QB, Danny Simmons, Timmy Halaby and Jack Connors coming out of the backfield that was finally stalled by a fumble at the 25 yard line.

Bellmore got off to a quick jump start when they surprised the "No Surrender" defense of David Gage, Kyle Wein, Brett Stewart, Mike Cassano, Tommy Reina, Danny Miller, Timmy Halaby, Connor Reidel, Danny Dolan, Anthony Kritis, Matt Greene, Kyle Wein, Albert Soussis, Brett Stewart, Danny Simmons, Jack Reina and Richie Mattone with a quick hit through the line that would have gone all the way but for the speed of Timmy Halaby who caught the ball carrier at the two yard line. Even the boys of "No Surrender" could not stymie a first and goal from the two and the Braves eventually punched the pigskin in to take an early 7 - 0 lead.

Danny Miller (& friends) stopped Bellmore all day

After the teams traded field position, Jack Connors forced a fumble late in the second quarter and GC took over at their own 28 yard line. The "Thun-der Road - Born to Run" offense stormed back with an impressive variety of ground assault and aerial attack. Brett Stewart not only had two long pass receptions from Matt Greene in the drive but also completed a pass of his own to Timmy Halaby for a nice gain. With Jack Connors bludgeoning up the middle, the Thunder drove to the Bellmore 4 yard line. Matt Greene sealed the deal with a QB sweep for the score to cut the margin to Bellmore 7 - Thunder 6 just before the end of the first half.

The boys of Thunder came out in the second half determined to prove they were tougher than the rest. Bellmore's offense was reintroduced to the "No Surrender" defense and learned the hard way how and why this team earned that nickname. Richie Mattone came up hard from the safety position to take out a Bellmore running back just as he was turning the corner and heading upfield. David Gage and Timmy Halaby combined for a sack. Timmy Barbaro, Albert Soussis and Kyle Wein were standing up their opponents. Jack Connors, Tommy Reina, Mike Cassano, Danny Dolan, Danny Miller and Anthony Kritis were relentless in pressuring the quarterback, Matt Greene, Connor Reidel and Timmy Halaby covered sideline to sideline and Danny Simmons, Brett Stewart, and Richie Mattone took care of the airways.

Tommy Reina & Michael Cassano controlling the line of scrimmage

The offense, in the meantime, saw two drives end on fumbles. The Bellmore team and crowd was growing increasingly excited and vocal as they held on to their slim lead while the clock was ticking down as Garden City took over on their own 20. Timmy Halaby soon put an arrow into the heart of the Braves when he broke to the outside and wove his way through a gauntlet of would be tacklers not stopping until he reached paydirt 80 yards away to put the Thunder up 12 - 7.

Brett Stewart with another big gain

GC successfully pulled off an onside kick on the ensuring kickoff recovering the football at the Bellmore 47. Timmy Halaby dashed any hope Bellmore may have had for a comeback when he again broke loose, this time from 41 yards out, for another GC touchdown to make the final score Thunder 18 - Bellmore Braves 7.

This team continues to prove its mettle as they look forward to yet another tough opponent when they meet Inwood this Friday night under the lights. These kids are a special group determined to make the playoffs.

GO THUNDER!