Thunder 10's Borges Beat Hempstead To Make Playoffs!!!!

Thunder offense getting ready to fire off the ball.

It was a beautiful but windy day in late October as the Thunder prepared for the last regular season game against the Hempstead Tiger Cubs. The Thunder captains went out and won the coin toss and elected to defer until the start of the 2nd half. The opening kickoff was kicked deep with help from the strong wind giving Hempstead the ball just outside their own 20 yard line. Today was a day where the Thunder defense really came to play, all of our boys knew if we could contain the Hempstead offense we would be in a great position to win the game. Contain them they did, our defense posted the 2nd shut out in the last three games and were led by Luke Armstrong, Matthew Borges, Liam Byrnes, Colin Castro, Brian Colamussi, Timmy Collins, Jack Concannon, Michael Crapotta, Lucas D'Aversa, Brian Goulard, Ryan McCartney, Chris Repetti, Justin Samardich, Patrick Slovensky, Kevin Sprotte, Ben Walsh (2 Fumble recoveries) and Thomas Wright. The Thunder offense settled into the game with a great drive in the second quarter led by great runs by Thomas Wright and Justin Samardich capped off by the touchdown run by Liam Byrnes, our offensive line really took control of the game at this point. Our offensive line was led by Brian Colamussi, Daniel Krumm, Chris Moscatiello, Matt Esposito, Brian Goulard, Jack Tobin, Kevin Sprotte, Michael Crapotta, Quinn McDonagh and Patrick Slovensky. The first half ended with the Thunder leading the game by a score of 7 - 0. We knew we were going to be receiving the ball at the start of the 3rd quarter and our offense would continue to push the Tiger Cubs defense backwards. We opened the offense up a little with the wind at our back but could not complete the big pass play. We really could not get past the strong defense of the Tiger Cubs but we turned the field position around with a big punt by Matt Borges allowing our defense to once again lock down the Tiger Cub offense deep in their own territory. Our defense once again came up with a big 4th down stop giving us the ball back with less then 2 minutes left in the game and allowing our offense to run the remaining time off the clock. Game over, Thunder win 7 - 0 and secure a playoff berth!!! Our boys worked very hard all season for this and they enjoyed the brief but very exciting celebration before shaking hands and congratulating the Tiger Cubs for a hard fought game. We will be playing the Inwood Buccaneers on Sunday November 4, at J Walker Park in Hicksville at 1:30 PM in the NCYFL quarter finals of the playoffs. GO THUNDER!!!!!!!

Matt Borges barely gets of big punt to pin Hempstead deep in their own end of the field. Blocking provided by Quinn McDonagh, Jack Tobin, Brian Goulard, Chris Moscatiello, Liam Byrnes and Tom Wright

Daniel Krumm, Chris Moscatiello, Matt Esposito, Brian Goulard, Kevin Sprotte and Liam Byrnes opening holes for Running backs. Justin Samardich running for a big first down!