Led by Connor McPartland's 62-yard touchdown run, the 9-year-old Hicksville Crusaders cemented their spot in the playoffs last Sunday in a 19-0 rout over the Long Beach Bulldogs. The offense, anchored by Quarterback Peter Capel and assisted by Connor Dalton, Alex Pierce, Taylor Collins, Tom Fleming and Sam Lipien kept the Bulldog defense continually off balance.

In the second quarter, with the Crusaders on a roll, Capel went to the air and completed a 16-yard pass to Julian Franco for Hicksville's second touchdown of the game. Stephen Ketelsen converted the extra point. Before the end of the half, Capel teamed up with Ketelsen and basically buried the Bulldogs. The fleet footed running back took the ball 57 yards for the score.

The second half of the game was when the Crusaders rookies were able to distinguish themselves. Justin Valluzzi, Brandon Schneider, Joe Sarni, Ricky Faria, Michael Abramo, Mark Andreacchi and James Zobian all helped to keep Long Beach off the scoreboard.

As the game began to wind down, Ketelsen put the icing on the win with a brilliant interception of a Bulldog pass that most certainly would have resulted in a Long Beach touchdown had it been completed.

This game proved that this team has no superstars but rather a group of well-coached, hardworking warriors who week after week have strived for perfection.

The Crusaders will take on the Farmingdale Hawks in the first playoff game, which is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 9 at Hicksville's own John Walker Field.