Every once in a while, two football teams will meet that are extremely well matched.
This was the case last Saturday night in Bellmore when the Braves hosted the 10-year-old Hicksville Crusaders. From the beginning of the game, it was obvious that this was to be a titanic defensive struggle of epic proportions.
Throughout the first half, the Crusaders defense led by Nicholas Delaney, Tay-Veon Johnson, Connor McPartland as well as Julian Franco and Ryan McBride never allowed Bellmore’s offense to get comfortable. Extraordinary performances by T.J. Delfino and Nick Austin continually clogged Bellmore’s running lanes. At the same time the Crusaders offense could never get untracked.
Both defenses stood tall in the second half allowing only minimal gains. When the Braves attempted to go outside, Vincent Baretta was there to stop them. If they came inside, Thomas Fleming and Steven Austin closed them down. With only a minute and 29 seconds remaining in the game, Bellmore’s offense finally broke through and scored, defeating Hicksville 7-0.
Although it was a tough game to lose, the Crusaders can take solace in the fact that once again, they fought to the very end.
Whether they are home or away, rain or shine, win or lose, their fan base is continuously growing. The parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors who come out to support the Crusaders, wherever they are playing, have shown tremendous vocal support.
