This past Saturday the Glen Cove Pee Wee Cardinals White team started the season on the right foot by beating the West Babylon Cowboys by the score of 18-14. The Cardinals' offense started clicking in the first quarter led by the offensive line. Opening holes for the running backs were Drew Swenson, Jimmy Johansen, Nick Manzione, Gavin Lyon, Justin Esquilin, Michael Toldo and Matthew Borer. Behind this line Brent Harrison, Franklin Mickins, Jason Esquilin and Chris Thedorou kept pushing the ball down field. Jason Esquilin scored the Cardinals' first touchdown of the season from eight yards out making the score 6-0 at halftime. Defensively, the Cardinals were outstanding with special efforts given by Brian Dillon, Toldo, Johansen, Harrison and Borer.

As the second half started the Cowboys came with guns blazing scoring midway through the quarter to make the score 7-6. But the Cardinals came right back as Thedorou went around right end from 60 yards out to put the Cardinals ahead 12-7. The Cowboys would not quit, as they came back once again in the fourth quarter with just under four minutes left to score and make the score 14-12. The Cardinals started at their own 40-yard line and quarterback Nick McAdams, playing on a sore knee, led the team on their final drive of the day. Jason Esquilin ran the ball up the middle bring the ball to the Cowboys' 40-yard line. On the next play McAdams dropped back and passed the ball to Harrison down to the Cowboys' 25-yard line. With five seconds remaining, McAdams ran around the left side following his blockers crossing the goal line with no time remaining and giving his Cardinal teammates an 18-14 win.

The Sunday the Cardinals have their home opener against Levittown at 11 a.m.

The Glen Cove Pony Red team (ages 11-12) defeated a very tough Wantagh Black team by the score of 18-12. Glen Cove's offense began their first scoring drive of the year when quarterback Ariel Bresky hit tight end Omar Morales with a nice 10-yard pass. Quarterback Bresky then completed a 14-yard pass to tight end Eric Caruso. Halfback Eric Tripp then executed the halfback option pass to perfection, hitting tight end Morales with a 15-yard gain to the Wantagh four-yard line. Fullback Michael Catapano then rumbled up the middle for a touchdown. The extra point try failed, making it 6-0. On Wantagh's next possession, Glen Cove's defense shut them down forcing a punt deep in their territory. Defensive end Jimmy Leahy tackled the Wantagh punter for a big loss. Halfback Randell Lyons then ran it in from 10 yards out. The touchdown however, was called back due to a penalty and Wantagh's defense stopped Glen Cove on the 4th down. Wantagh was forced to punt again and this time they got the punt off but safety Omar Morales returned it 20 yards to the Wantagh 15-yard line. From there QB Ariel Bresky passed to halfback Evan Simmons making it 12-0. During the start of the third quarter a very strange play took place benefiting Wantagh. Wantagh was on a drive into Glen Cove territory when on fourth down Ariel Bresky from his linebacker position intercepted a Wantagh pass, but on the interception return he was tackled fumbling the ball to Wantagh giving them a fresh set of downs. Wantagh later scored on a fourth down pass play making it 12-6. In the fourth quarter the Wantagh defense stopped Glen Cove and forced them to punt. On another fourth down play Wantagh broke a long screen pass for a score making it 12-12. On the following kickoff Randell Lyons fielded the kick and took it back 60 yards for a Glen Cove touchdown winning the game 18-12 in dramatic fashion. On defense Randell Lyons led the team in tackles from his linebacker position. Defensive linemen Kevin Maccarone and Michael Catapano added a QB sack each. The entire offensive line including Anthony Capobianco, Andrew Brown, William Lyon, Kevin Maccarone, Brian Merrick, Jonathan Ruiz, James Theodorou, Jimmy Leahy, Joe Durso, Mike Granados, and Erik Swenson had great games at their respective positions. The line gave QB Bresky time to make some big passing plays for Glen Cove. Glen Cove's next game is 3 p.m. at home (stadium upper field) against a strong Brentwood Green team

On Sunday, Sept. 8, the Glen Cove Cardinals Midget White played host to Copiague Silver. Glen Cove received the opening kick-off and started on its own 45-yard line. Glen Cove marched down the field using runs by Kyree Washington and Ryan Hopke, and a Chris Borer to Owen Valance 15-yard pass completion. A fumble at the Copiague 15-yard line stopped the drive.

Copiague took over and generated three first downs before the Glen Cove defense stiffened and held them on downs. On a third and one at the Copiague 30-yard line, Ryan Hopke burst through a hole on the left side of the line and raced in for a touchdown. The point after was no good and Glen Cove led 6-0.

Copiague answered with a seven-play scoring drive with the touchdown coming on a 15 yard run off-tackle on which the Copiague back ran through and over half the defense. The point after was no good and the half ended in a 6-6 tie.

In the second half, three fumbles by Glen Cove put pressure on the defense to keep Copiague out of the end zone. Though tired and hot, the defense responded by not allowing Copiague in the end zone. The strong defensive effort was led by linemen Gardner Fitzgerald, Billy Johansen, Matthew Stachell, Zach Boyajian, Walter Hauenstein, Chris Melillo, Kevin Victoria, Alex Dakas and Andrew Ayo. Linebackers Stefan Schwartz, Owen Valance, Kyree Washington and Chris Borer teamed up with defensive backs Ryan Hopke, Michael Iannetta, Anthony Leake and Charlie Miller to shut down the Copiague offense.

Next week the Midget White travel to Levittown to play Levittown Grey at 2 p.m.

The Peanut Cardinals opened the season away against Broad Channel. Mike Flocari did an exceptional job as quarterback running the offensive line of Jessie Ayers, Stephen Johansen, Mike Manzione, Christian Sodomo, Sean Donovan, and Chris Palmieri.

Opening large gaps allowed great touchdown runs by Josh Schwartz, Joey Kiaer and Max McCrindle.

The defensive line of Danny Morra, Brian Lostrillo, Anthony Castro and Sean Peet kept the Broad Channel runners from getting many yards rushing.

The defensive backfield of Glenn Lostrillo, Jahral O'Neill, Peter Lizza, Ryan Farhmano and Antonio Prundante were in on many great tackles and defensive stops to hold broad channel to one lonely touchdown. It was a great coached and played first game.

Next game is home on Sept. 15 at 9 a.m.

The Glen Cove Pee Wee Red Cardinals opened the season on the road in Amityville and left with a 6-0 victory. It was a good win in a tough, hard-fought battle, but the boys were ready for the challenge.

The game went back and forth in the first half, and the score remained 0-0. The Cardinals started with the ball in the second half and mounted a game-winning drive. It started with a couple of nice runs by Tiquan Garner, a sweep by James Catancano who took the ball inches from the end zone and Ryan Perkins took the handoff up the middle for the score.

Great blocking on the drive by Carlos Gonzales, Joe Anile, Billy Flahive, Gregory Bonanza, Christian Klimaszewski and Jordan Alexander. The defense held Amityville in check most of the game with great runs by Zehan Joshi, Kristopher Moran, Tony Palmieri, Tyrone Davis, J.J. Agnello, Anthony Nesbitt and Derek Shearer. Ryan Perkins also had two key fumble recoveries, and the best thing of all, only one penalty all game. Congratulations!

See you next week at home at 1 p.m. vs. Levittown.