"Winds whisper of high hope. Victory is in the sky. A season awaits with glory in her eyes. One joins with many on summer's green field. Time to strive, to dare, for all not to yield."

The Garden City Thunder 10-year-old football team opened their 2003 campaign Sunday morning, Sept. 21, in traveling to Inwood Park to engage in a 100-yard war with the Inwood Buccaneers. Thunder head coach Bob Jahelka, first year offensive coordinator John Garcia and veteran line coach Bill Bolte were all most eager to test their newly installed Double-Wing offense, an attack predicated on tight linemen splits, pulling guards, misdirection and deception.

Double Wing dividends were immediate as Garden City scored on its first possession. Four-year veteran quarterback Kyle Johnson rolled right and connected on a 35-yard scoring pass to Peter Stoll. Johnson's perfect spiral hit Stoll in stride and the rookie tight end broke free of an ankle tackle and lumbered to paydirt.

Johnson's well-executed quarterback draw provided the extra point. Later in the first quarter, the Thunder offense highlighted one of its best -disguised and executed plays of the game. Following several sweeps to the wide side of the field, Coach Garcia surprised the entire Buccaneer defense with a fake sweep and counter trap. Scatback Charlie Garcia patiently followed offensive guard Jeff Boltes' pulling trap block and sprinted off-tackle untouched for a 55-yard touchdown. Steve Jahelka's 35-yard tackle-breaking touchdown jaunt around right end provided Garden City with a commanding 19-0 halftime lead.

Thunder linemen Bolte, Billy Allen, Brendan Logan, Scott "Big Mac" McElroy, Matt Slovensky, Matt Calamussi and Tommy Martis, along with the tight end platoon of Dan Strief and Griffin McQuilling were challenged to "put the nail in the coffin" for the Thunder's opening drive of the second half. Following Danny McCallan's heart inspiring kick-off return to midfield, the Garden City line sprung Garcia for another touchdown on a well-conceived reverse that took the final wind out of the Buccaneers' sails. Johnson later added to the teams 300+ total yards from scrimmage by capping a long drive in scoring on a five-yard sweep. The Thunder boys then sportsmanly eased up on the throttle in coasting to an impressive 32-0 opening day victory.

The Garden City defense, lead by coaches Ron LoFrese and John Kufs, was equally dominant. Four-year veteran inside linebacker Austin Kufs delivered several bone crunching hits in spearheading a Thunder defense that held Inwood to only two first downs and no penetration within Garden City's 40-yard line. Veteran containment specialists Jack Spencer and John Karikas were stellar in preventing the Bucs from running outside, while Ryan Buser, Michael LoFrese, Mike Mahrahmas and Brendan Bishop executed flawlessly in carrying out the Thunder team-defense concepts.

The stakes will be much higher in the Thunder's home opener on Sunday, Oct. 5 as they host the formidable Elmont Cardinals, the league's second highest ranked team.