On a crisp, autumn afternoon the Hicksville Crusaders Football Club played their inaugural home opener in front of many loyal fans at the Hicksville Middle School.

First up was the 5/6-year-old team against a tough Bellmore team. Although the Crusaders lost 21-14 on a heartbreaking touchdown with no time left, the team can be proud of itself. Playing well on both sides of the ball were "Flying" Brian Lang, Michael "The Tank" Tancredi (1TD); Patrick "Rocket Man" McCormick (1TD); and Robby "Catch Me If You Can" Culp (QB). There was great blocking from Ryan "The Crusher" Kelly; Joe "King Kong" Kelly; Louis "Spinner" Sposato; and Lucas "The Bruiser" Bookstaver. Also playing feisty on the line were James "Steamroller" Sagos; Matt "Quicksnap" Schumacher; James "Crazy Legs" Culhane; Johnny "Big Man" Morrisey; and Matt "Groovin'" Rubin."

During the halftime festivities, league organizers Kim and Mike Torrellas, presented Rob Walker, assistant parks commissioner for the Town of Oyster Bay, and Barney Dellaquilla, a Hicksville High School football coach, with plaques honoring them for their outstanding efforts in support of the league.

In the senior game, the Hicksville Crusaders 10/11-year-old team lost a tough game 26-18 to Mineola in their home opener. The offense had great blocking from Lou Lercara, Mike Castagna, Mike Digregorio, Steven Romero, John Nictas, Steve Sagos and Rafiq Wallace. Running backs Phil Rinaldi and Mike Torrellas' tough running and blocking helped lead the way for touchdown runs by Nick Ferrara and Frank Mancuso. Quarterback Bobby Morrisey engineered three scoring drives and completed two long passes, one to Torrellas and the other a 50-yard touchdown pass to Mancuso.

The defense was led by Ferrara and Rinaldi and featured great tackling by Castagna, Andrew Calkins, Nick Tuifel, James Dimartino, Ryan Murphy, Tom Gerlomino, Kevin Parker, Max Gonzalez and included Rinaldi stripping the ball away near the end to set up a touchdown. The Crusaders scored on the final play of the game and the team felt like they ran out of time to complete their comeback.

This year's campaign would not have been complete without the efforts of the Hicksville Crusader's Cheerleaders. The cheerleaders worked hard and are an inspiration to all who play in and attend the game of football in Hicksville.

The Hicksville Crusaders 5/6-year-old cheerleaders are:

Kelly Abbriano

Allison Asher

Amanda DiLorenzo

Melanie Exler

Mary Kate McGovern

Brenna Morrisey

Taylor Muller

Ashley Pietrzak

Amanda Seguna

Jessica Wenk

The Hicksville Crusaders 10/11-year-old cheerleaders are:

Katelyn Bonczyk

Christina Calkins

Allie Calvanese

Melissa Culp

Margaret Anne Edelman

Nicole Ferri

Isabelle Karpe

Kristen Lovastik

Mary Kate O'Toole

Taylor Pfeifer

Maria Sagos

Stephanie Seguna

Krista Shannon

Ellie Sommers

Danielle Sposato

Erica Torrellas

Brittany Valenti