The Mineola Chiefs 11-year-old Football Team has advanced to the Nassau County Championships for the third year in a row by beating the Syosset Braves 31-13 this past Sunday on the road in the semi-finals game, a Mineola PAL record.
It was expected to be a tight game, but in the end the Chiefs proved too much for the Braves to handle.
All the boys played and participated in the victory. All year long the defense has been keeping the Chiefs in games, but on this day the Chiefs offense also contributed heavilly, led by the speed of running back Michael O’Connell (4 TD’s) and the strong powerful runs of running backs Jalen Rivers (1 TD), Jack Duff, and Lance Costa (1XP).
Quarterback Matt Sluka moved the ball forward against the Braves behind solid sound blocking by the offensive line of Michael LaGinestra, Kevin Parente, Patrick McTiernan, Anthony Giunta and Brandon Coward.
The Chiefs playing in their Championship 6-2 defense stuffed and dominated the Braves all day long.
The defensive line of Spenser Warantz, Sante Nicolia, Dylan Vincenti, Vincent Pomara, Ryan Calderone, Naz Jackson, and Damien Patterson kept the pressure on Syosset’s offense throughout the game. Cornerbacks and safeties were lead by Andrew Casoria (Int), Michael O’Connell (Int), Jack Duff, Matt Grimm and Thomas Albig. Linebackers Jalen Rivers and Philip Arnold attacked the ball and finished off the Braves.
Scoring is summarized below:
- Michael O’Connell 47-yard touchdown Run (Michael O’Connell pass to Lance Costa)
- Michael O’Connell 3- yard touchdown run (kick failed)
- Michael O’Connell 51-yard touchdown Run (kick failed)
- Michael O’Connell 63-yard Interception Return for Touchdown (run failed)
- Jalen Rivers 1-yard touchdown Run (run failed)
