"Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings." The season's seesawing fortunes continue for the 11-year-old Thunder Maroon gridders. In the aftermath of a disappointing 18-6 road loss two weeks ago at the hands of the NCYFL 2003 semi-finalist Bellmore Braves, head coach Bob Jahelka's Thunder Boys traveled to the Hicksville Middle School and pasted a 30-0 thumping on the host Hicksville Comets.

Steadily directing the double-wing offense to perfection with his running and passing, Quarterback Steve Jahelka led Garden City (3-2) in capitalizing on two of Hicksville's four turnovers to stake a commanding 24-0 halftime lead.

Backfield mates Charlie Garcia, Kyle Johnson and James Wright finished off scoring drives of 5, 1, and 5 plays, respectively, the last drive highlighted by a 30-yard catch-and-run by rookie wingback Joe Barbato. Hard-hitting Austin Kufs, Brendan Bishop, Mike Mahramas, Jonathan Philippou, Mike Lofrese, Kevin D'Antonio and Matt Slovensky led a hungry and swarming Thunder defense that collectively kept the Comet attack at bay.

Three weeks earlier in a 33-6 route of Floral Park, Garden City charted its first-ever special-teams touchdowns with two kickoff return scores. In facing Hicksville, several other scoring firsts were realized.

Long snapper Jeff Bolte, holder Johnson and place-kickers Brian Fisher and Jahelka combined to split the uprights in scoring three successive two-point conversions, the team's first-ever kicking PAT conversions. On Hicksville's opening drive of the second-half, Thunder sophomore CB Matt Clarkson provided the highlight of the game.

Defending a fourth-and-10 from midfield, Clarkson opportunistically stepped in front of the intended Comet receiver, intercepted the pass and raced upfield in veering toward the Thunder bench. Appearing to be headed out-of-bounds, Clarkson eluded several Hicksville tacklers along the sideline and in the words of ESPN's Chris Berman "he could...go...all...the...way"...63-yards, in notching the Thunder Boys first-ever defensive touchdown!

Late in the fourth-quarter, Dan McCallan's hustling touchdown-saving tackle helped preserve Garden City's first shut-out of the season. Offensively, for the remainder of the game, Garden City sportsmanly employed its series of Jumbo-Backfields, providing many Thunder linemen a rare and first opportunity to carry the ball as Jeff Bolte, Scott McElroy, Griffin Eilbeck, Nick Fiorvanti, P.J. Cline, Brendan Logan, Billy Allen and Brendan McGovern each made their Thunder ball-carrying debuts, the latter a nifty 15-yard burst around right-end that unfortunately resulted in a broken arm.

The entire Thunder Family wishes Brendan a most speedy recovery. Following their Columbus Day weekend bye, the Thunder Boys set sight on their season's most pivotal and defining contest, in hosting the Hempstead Cubs Sunday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. at Stewart Field. For great action photos, visit GCThunder.com.