Thunder "C" Keelhaul Buccaneers

What rain? Albert, Jack, Zach & Tommy having fun

All over the world the rain was pourin' as the GC Thunder Halaby 11's took the soggy field Friday night under the Pool lights against the Inwood Buc-caneers. While the precipitation may have dampened the playing surface it had no effect on the enthusiasm of the players and the crowd. Mother Nature supplied the rain but the Thunder provided the lightning.

After Danny Miller took the opening kickoff to the GC 47, 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 Danny Dolan, Mike Cassano, Zach Stamoulis, Brett Stewart, Brian Irwin, Scott Irwin, Danny Miller, and Jack Reina with Matt Greene at QB, Timmy Halaby bursting for 31 yards and solid runs by Danny Simmons and Jack Connors coming out of the backfield on a drive that was finally stalled by a fumble at the 2 yard line.

The "No Surrender" defense of Albert Soussis, David Gage, Kyle Wein, Brett Stewart, Mike Cassano, Tommy Reina, Danny Miller, Timmy Halaby, Connor Reidel, Danny Dolan, Matt Greene, Kyle Wein, Danny Simmons, Jack Reina, Zach Stamoulis and Richie Mattone picked up the team by completely shutting down Inwood on their first series. Jack Connors drove a scabbard into the heart of the Buccaneers when he not only blocked a punt but recovered it in the end zone for a 7 - 0 Thunder lead with Timmy Halaby taking in the pigskin for the extra point.

Matt Green set for the pick & TD return

Inwood took advantage of one long run late in the first half and eventually scored to close the gap to 7 - 6.

The Thunder was fired up as they kicked off to Inwood to start the second half. Once again the Buccaneers were forced to walk the plank with a three and out series. An excellent punt had GC starting out at their own 10 yard line. After a couple of darts by Danny Simmons got the ball out to the 21 the Thunder struck. Timmy Halaby broke one for 38 yards to the Inwood 41. On the next play, Danny Miller crashed through the line and didn't stop until he pulled into Youngstown 41 yards away to bring the score to 14 - 6.

Danny Miller to "The House"

The relentless "No Surrender" defense in the meantime was determined to fight under a black flag and gave the Buccaneers no quarter. Albert Soussis stuffed one at the line of scrimmage, Danny Dolan penetrated the line again and again, Connor Riedel made a big hit for a loss, the DE twins put their imprint on the game with Danny Miller hitting the passer and Jack Connors picking it off for another turnover, Richie Mattone and Brett Stewart patrolled the airways, David Gage and Kyle Wein jammed the line of scrimmage, Tommy Reina neutralized much larger opponents, Danny Simmons and Timmy Halaby ran all over the field, Mike Cassano dominated the middle, Zach Stamoulis was all over the interior line and, finally, Matt Greene baited the Inwood QB into throwing the ball his way and stepped up for a 28 yard broken field interception for a TD. Final Score THUNDER 20 - Buccaneers 6.

This team has now made the playoffs and expects to face Baldwin for the second time this season. We expect that had work and determination will result in a positive performance. That was then. This is NOW!

Danny Dolan on why boys love football & moms don't

GO THUNDER!