In what may be considered their most impressive win of this season, the 11-year-old Hicksville Crusaders overpowered the Mineola Chiefs by the score of 20-12.
Throughout the entire first half, Mineola found it difficult to make any headway, whether it be on the ground or in the air. On the other hand, Crusader quarterback Peter Capel used his running backs time and time again to pound the Mineola defense in order to wear them down. Early in the second quarter, Capel teamed up with Julian Franco on a 29-yard pass play, which resulted in their first score of the game. On the ensuing Chiefs possession, safety Ryan McBride, came up with the first of his two interceptions. During the balance of the second quarter Connor McPartland, Julian Franco and Stephen Ketelsen continued to befuddle Mineola’s defense, gaining huge chunks of yardage. The blocking of Tom Fleming, T.J. Delfino, Taylor Collins, Nick Savva and Alex Pierce punished Mineola’s lineman. Ketelsen accounted for the Crusaders second score with a textbook end-around. After a disputed extra point the score was 14-0 in Hicksville’s favor.
The second half of the game began with Mineola striking for two quick scores giving Hicksville fans a bit of trepidation. Showing a great deal of poise and fearlessness, the orange and black offense quickly responded. One of the keys to this game came late in the third quarter with the Crusaders facing a fourth and 10, Capel hit Ketelsen with an outlet pass giving them a first down, thereby keeping the drive alive. Julian Franco, padded the Crusader’s score with a spectacular 37-yard touchdown run.
Hicksville defense also has to be acknowledged for its solid performance. Ketelsen and Franco, as well as Nick Austin, Sean Lewis, Nick Delaney and Vincent Barretta all had exceptional games.
The fact that this was the Homecoming game for the 11-year-old Hicksville Crusaders gave this group all the more reason for them to savor this victory!
