The Maroon boys 9 year old football team opened their season against the Island Trees Cardinals this past Sunday with a 27-6 win. The game got off on a quick note on the first handoff from scrimmage, as QB Cole Dutton and Left Guard Patrick Kavan led running back Andrew DeSantis around end for a quick TD. Andrew DeSantis would finish the game with a career high 3 touchdowns and was certainly the beneficiary of tremendous blocking from Aidan Griffin, Jack Dignam, Mark Michon, Matt Flanagan, Will Honan and Matt DeSimpliciis. The Thunder would go up by a score of 14-0 at halftime on route to winning their opening game.

The offensive output continued with an outstanding run by Matt Granville for the extra point combined with an unbelievable 50 yard dash by Patrick Leggett for Mr. Leggett's first score of the year. Kyle Steinbach punched in the extra point for a solid performance on offense from the boys. Not to be outdone, the thunder defense was up to the task of limiting the Island Trees squad to only a single first down thru three quarters of play. The tremendous play of ends Steinbach and Kavan limited the Cardinals offense to a series of quick punts, and the outside corner play of Peter Cannizzaro and Aidan Griffin was textbook.

Not to be outdone, Matt Granville and Matt DeSimpliciis had solo sacks of the QB and Tommy Siler had a huge solo hit on a blitz that worked to perfection. The entire defensive front played very well and all the hard work of Nick Bambino, John Campo, Calum Gribbin, Joe Perrini and Luke Solferino paid off for a tremendous victory on opening day. The coaches were very proud of the 20 boys that carried the ball in the game, including Steven Santel, Tommy Poole and Joe Ostapow with big carries for first downs!

The boys look forward to their next game against East Rockaway and should know that all the coaches are very proud of their efforts! GO THUNDER MAROON 9's!!!