5- and 6-year-old Generals
The 5- and 6-year-olds traveled to Uniondale where Coach Rodney played high school football 20 years ago, and suffered a tough loss. Once again the little Generals had a slow first half start, giving up three TDs. As has been the norm this season, they came out hard in the second half and gave up one score. Good plays on offense were made by Nicholas Spampinato, and Nicholas (Cole) Meyer played hard on the defensive line, so the linebackers could make tackles.
7- and 8-year-old Generals
In what was a very exciting and well played game turned in by the 7- and 8-year-old Generals, the boys improved their record to 2-5 by beating the East Rockaway Raiders 13-12 at East Rockaway’s home field. The Generals’ win included a stopped extra point with no time left, which would have tied the game for the Raiders.
The Generals’ defense was stout and left the Raiders offense baffled for most of the game. On the last play of the game the Raiders scored a touchdown to cut the General leads to one. On the ensuing PAT (point after touchdown), The
General defensive line penetrated, causing the Raider running back to bounce to the outside where Nicholas Capozzi made a solo tackle short of the goal line securing the Generals’ win. The General defense was led by Jaden Marshall (two tackles three assists), Collin O’Toole (two tackles, one caused fumble), Francis Olivieri (two tackles, one assist, one caused fumble) and PJ Verdi with five tackles and two fumble recoveries.
The General offense was highlighted by its scintillating 15 yard pass play on third down and goal that went for a touchdown. The connection was Bryce Kipnes to PJ Verdi which put the Generals ahead to stay.
9-year-old-Generals
The Generals lost to a tough Massapequa Mustang team 25-12 on Sunday. With the NCYFL Playoff seedings at stake, Massapequa needed a solid win against the Generals. They came out with a simple “Ground and Pound” strategy to keep a potent Generals offense off the field. The Mustangs first drive of the game used more than half of the first quarter game clock. It was critical time management with the wind blowing strong at TR Park. When the Generals finally got the ball, Kyle Marshall continued his torrid rushing and receiving attack. Unfortunately, several bad shotgun snaps kept the Generals in check, forcing them to punt. The Mustangs then continued to take huge chunks of time off the clock keeping with their simple between the tackle offense. When the Mustangs did go to the air, Christian DeBellis and Andrew Watts were solid in coverage forcing the Mustangs to stay on the ground and keeping the game at 18-0 at halftime.
In the second half with the Generals getting the ball first with the wind, Tighe Mullarkey and Kyle Marshall went to work. Mullarkey made a beautiful pass and Marshall made an even more spectacular catch and run for a 65 yard completion for a touchdown to make the score 18-6. The Mustangs answered in spite of a strong defensive efforts by Mikey Palagonia, James Ryan, Mitch Harmantas and Roman Ragusa. Kyle Marshall was all over the field making tackles to keep the Generals in the game.
Going into the wind in the fourth quarter, the Generals used their own “Ground and Pound” strategy with Marshall running a jet-sweep behind a blocking wide-out tackle, Tommy Beggs, to make the score 25-12. Beggs then recovered a fumble on the ensuing Mustang series to give the Generals a breath of life in the game. However, with the Mustangs teeing off on the Generals passing formations, the Generals saw limited success and ran out of time for a comeback.
10-year-old Generals
The Generals won 12 – 6 vs. Floral Park Titans. Highlights included:
Jake Van Velsor: 10 carries for 81 yards, 1 TD; Luke Paniagua: eight carries for 42 yards; Jack Croke: six carries for 22 yards,James Hosey: 3 carries for 19 yards; Michael Gangi: three for 14 yards; Matt Pisciotta: two for five yards and one TD; David Hill: three carries for three yards.
Defensively, Luke Paniagua and David Hill led the way with seven tackles each, Liam Doran and Jake Van Velsor had five tackles each, Jack Croke, Michael Gangi, James Hosey, Brett Kinta, Sal Mangano, Nathan Kearney and Matt Pisciotta with two each.
11-year-old Generals
The 11s were on the road in East Rockaway and showed the Raiders how to play some football. With a score of 27-13 the offense drove like an Abrams Tank through the Raiders defense. Touchdowns by Aidan Danenza (two), Carlo Paz (one) and Rocco Barbero (one). The offensive line continues to blow open holes against their opponents. Strong blocking by LG John Tini, LT Danny Riso and TEs Michael Franco and Nick Caccamo.
On the defensive side of the ball the Generals remain dominant. Leading in tackles were Sean O’Toole, Matthew Jones, Christopher Fusco, Eddie Clark (fumble recovery) and Rocco Barbero (two fumble recoveries).
The Generals continue to work as a team. As the post season approaches the11s look forward to more victories.
Cheerleading
A beautiful day and a combined cheer squad of pee wees and midget girls cheered on the 9-year-old team in Oyster Bay. The Massapequa Mustang cheerleaders could not compete with these girls. It was a tough game for the 9-year-old boys but the General girls did their best to keep the crowd’s spirits high.
