On Sept. 20, Hicksville’s offensive line controlled the game as the 8-year-old Crusaders defeated the Baldwin Bombers at Coes Neck Park by a score of 19-0.
The 8-year-olds – led by center Christopher Lopus with guards Anthony Squillacioti and Nicholas Hagstram, tackles CJ Adam and Anthony Cerrato and ends Kyle Deakin and Jalen Rivers – made it possible for the Crusader running backs to rush for more than 100 yards on the day.
The scoring was initiated by Jalen Rivers on a sweep to the left for 20 yards but the extra point wasn’t good. Brendan Pursoo scored on a tough 6-yard run up the middle and the extra point was good when quarterback Shane McBride rolled right and found Jalen Rivers in the back of the end zone for a pass. Shane McBride would score the third touchdown on a sweep to the left for 25 yards while James Morissey ran the extra point in but a holding call brought the play back and the second attempt failed.
Hicksville’s defense, led by Christopher Lopus, Brandon Lang and Anthony Cerrato, held Baldwin scoreless.
This team is starting to pull together and learning the thrill of gang tackling. Anthony Squillacioti and CJ Adam each came up with a fumble recovery and were supported by the rest of the defense, including Vincent Leonardi, Tyler Poelker, Matthew Henderson, Nick Scarpa, Alen Stupar, Jon Scully, Cesar Adames, Amad Taitt, Logan Kilmetis, Tyler Brohan, Parker Chang, Jake Deakin, Liam Lipien and James Russo.
