On Nov. 21, before an overflow crowd at the Mitchell Field Athletic Complex, the 10-year-old Hicksville Crusaders met the Farmingdale Hawks in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout.
The Hawks struck first early in the first quarter. Not to be out done, running back Stephen Ketelsen galloped 80 yards, tying the score. Hicksville got the extra point giving them a 7-6 lead. Farmingdale was able to regain the lead with an 11-play drive.
For the remainder of the half, both teams fought each other tooth and nail. Defensively, Ryan McBride, Alex Parciak, Joe Sarni, Tom Fleming and Nick Austin made their presence felt. Stephen Ketelsen took away, with a huge interception, what would have been another Hawk score. Although Farmingdale’s offense continually put pressure on Hicksville defense, the Crusaders bent but they never broke throughout the rest of the half.
The second half opened with a tough 13-play drive that resulted in another Farmingdale tally. Once again, Hicksville fought back behind great offensive line block. Ryan McBride broke free and took the ball 46 yards to the Hawks’ 19. After Connor McPartland took the ball to the eight, McBride powered it over. McPartland’s extra point made the score 18-14 in Farmingdale’s favor.
The rest of the game was a defensive battle for both teams. Vincent Barretta, Peter Capel, Sam Lipien, Steve Austin, Tay-Veon Johnson and George Krauch all had a hand in halting Farmingdale’s offense.
As the players left the field, you couldn’t help but to notice the exhaustion etched on their faces. A break here or there and the outcome might have been different. The 10-year-old Crusaders left nothing out on the field. Watching this team all year proves that this team plays with “one heart.”
