Sports

Mineola Chiefs Win Back-to-Back Championships

Chiefs batter Baldwin 25-7 to defend title.

The 11-year old Mineola Chiefs football team won their second straight championship this past Sunday at Mitchel Field Athletic Complex in Uniondale, defeating the Baldwin Bombers 25-7.

It was expected to be a tight back and fourth game, but the Chiefs dominated on defense with their 6-2 defensive line, returning the ball to the offense early and often. In the end, the Chiefs once again proved too much for the Bombers to handle.

All year long the defense has been keeping Mineola in games, but Sunday for the second week in a row the Chiefs offense linemen also shined as offensive coordinator coach Bobby Redmond used a majority of his 70 offensive plays in his book, confusing the Bombers defense throughout game.

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The Chiefs offense was led by the explosive runs of hard to catch running back Michael O’Connell (4 TD’s) and the strong, powerful runs of running backs Jalen Rivers, Jack Duff and Lance Costa.

Quarterback Matt Sluka (1 XP) returned to form after a foot injury, controlling the ball against the Bombers behind solid blocking by the offensive line of Michael LaGinestra, Kevin Parente, Patrick McTiernan, Anthony Giunta, Brandon Coward and wide receiver Thomas Albig (1 TD).

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The Chiefs stuffed and dominated the Bombers all day long thanks to defensive linemen Andrew Casoria, Spenser Warantz, Sante Nicolia, Dylan Vincenti, Vincent Pomara, Ryan Calderone, Naz Jackson, Joshua Jacob, Ocian Villa and Damien Patterson who kept the pressure on Baldwin’s offense throughout the game.

Michael O’Connell, Matt Sluka, Jack Duff, Matt Grimm and Thomas Albig led the cornerbacks and safeties making tackles all over the field as linebackers Jalen Rivers and Philip Arnold attacked the ball and finished off the Bombers.

This was the final year for this group of players as they will move on to play middle school football next year.

Scoring is summarized below:

  • Michael O’Connell 52 yard touchdown run (Michael O’Connell pass to Matt Sluka)
  • Michael O’Connell 43 yard touchdown run (kick failed)
  • Michael O’Connell 57 yard touchdown run (kick failed)
  • Michael O’Connell 36 yard touchdown pass to Thomas Albig (run failed)


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