BY LOUIS MINUTO Garden City Thunder 11s started their season with a rematch of the Nassau County Championship game from last season when the Massapequa Mustangs came to Stewart Field last Sunday to challenge the undefeated Garden City squad. Our boys were more than ready to defend their home field, by each player performing at their usual outstandingly high level. The Thunder 11s offense dominated the Mustangs from the opening snap, as the potent GC offense proved just too much for the Massapequa defense. The
running of Aidan Considine and Quinn Long flashed both power and finesse when notching yard after yard, both keeping the Mustang Defense on the field, and unable to catch their breathe. Stevie Finnell broke through and ran in a touchdown and an extra point, Jack Archer matched the tally with a brilliant run later in the half. The offensive line of Owen Holtzman, Chip Read, Christopher Fuelling, Kevin Blum, and Cody Wehrum per usual ground out 4 amazing quarters with Justin Koczko, Brady Noll, James Vinciguerra, and Gabriel Psilakis doing their job to keep the Thunder Offense rolling.
Quarterback Matt Kephart brought in a TD of his own, after two successful extra point passes through the air. The Garden City Thunder defense swarmed the Mustang offensive attack as Massapequa went to their established passing game early and often. The defensive lines’ usual suspects Tristan Mullahey, Ryan Krieg, Bryan Freel, Andrew Loughlin, Patrick Sullivan, Matthew Ragusa, and RJ Votruba created all kinds of pressure on the quarterback with an excellent pass rush. While the coverage by Bryan Boccafola, Matt Mehling,Ryan Melendez, and Hayden Minuto made
a pass completion all but impossible for the Mustangs. The Garden City Thunder 11s win the season opener 20-7. Each member of this superb GC team does their job and strives to be excellent. They practice hard all week and the Coaches have them well prepared. The result on the field translated into yet another lopsided win for our boys. This Sunday the Thunder 11s will be away at Allen Park Field against yet another formidable Farmingdale squad, GO THUNDER!
Captains Votruba, Freel, Wehrum & Holtzman
Aidan Considine running through the Massapequa defense
Stevie Finnell breaks free for an opening TD run
Friday, September 23, 2016 The Garden City News
Thunder 11’s shine in season opener, beat Massapequa 20-7
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Four helmets lined up with 9/11 stickers showing “how we never forget”