Setting Is James Shuart Stadium at Hofstra
The setting for the 11-year-old Hickville Crusaders on Oct. 15 was at James Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University. Their opponent was the Uniondale Knights, a team that hasn’t lost a game in four-plus years. The weather, however, refused to cooperate as a wind driven rain fell from the opening whistle and continued throughout the entire contest.
All through the first half, Hicksville’s defense did all they could to limit the Uniondale powerhouse offense. Alex Pierce, Julian Franco, Nick Austin, Connor McPartland and Sean Lewis all combined to make it extremely uncomfortable for Uniondale’s runners. As the half wore on, the Knights finally found a way to the end zone making the score 6-0.
The second half opened with Uniondale’s striking for a quick score. Once again, the Crusaders defense denied the Knights the extra point.
Once it was his turn, Crusader Quarterback Peter Capel did all in his power to move his team down the field. Ryan McBride attacked Uniondale’s line. Capel unleashed a number of excellent passes that under normal circumstances might have resulted in scores.
The Crusaders defense continually disrupted Uniondale’s quarterback with a number of blitzes led by Nick Delaney.
If you needed one word to describe the way that the 11-year-old Hicksville Crusaders played in this game, it would be courageous. Time and time again, Uniondale mounted drives that the Crusaders found a way to stop. Even though the outcome of this game was not what the Crusaders would have liked it to be these young warriors left the field with their heads held high – as they should have.The Crusaders offense at work during the game.
