On Sunday, Sept. 13, Pee Wee Gray played its home opener against Copiague Silver. After coasting to a 39-7 win over Syosset a week ago, Gray was ready to go to battle against an always tough Copiague team. Gray started the game on offense with a starting offensive line of George Athan, Mike Rakatzis, Chris Nickel, Nicky Bristoll, Bryant (Who Let The Dogs Out) Peterson, Zack Trimboli and Center Dakota Bransfield. Damian Calderon, Davey Grecsek and Mike James were substituted in and out of the game on the offensive and defensive lines and were integral parts of the winning combination. The starting backfield consisted of quarterback Bryan Verbitsky, and running backs Anthony Ciaramitaro, Joey Leonard and Timmy Michels. Daniel Barlett who missed Gray's first game (against his will, due to prior family obligations), was used as a multi-purpose player on offense. At times he played quarterback and at times he played running back.

On Gray's first possession of the game they used a combination of outstanding blocking by all members of the sometimes forgotten offensive line, and key runs by Joey Leonard (31 yards rushing for the game) who broke off a nifty 20-yard run, Anthony Ciaramitaro (95 yards rushing for the game) with a 38-yard run and Bryan Verbitsky (100-yards rushing for the game) who broke a 21-yard run to march down to Copiague's 9-yard line. Gray, facing a second down and goal from the 9-yard line ran a quarterback keep with Verbitsky, who broke around end for a 9-yard touchdown run and a 6-0 lead that Gray never surrendered.

On Gray's second possession of the game they used a ball control offense with runs by Ciaramitaro, Leonard and Verbitsky to drive down to Copiague's 6-yard line. At this point, they again gave the ball back to Verbitsky, who broke off a 6-yard touchdown run giving Gray a 12-0 lead at halftime (Gray also had one touchdown called back in the first half on a very questionable penalty call).

As the second half opened, Gray started on defense. The starting line consisted of Right End Ciaramitaro, left end Verbitsky and a constant rotation of Nickel, Rakitzis, Grecsek, Bristoll, Peterson, Calderon, Trimboli, James and Bransfield at the guard and tackle positions. The linebackers were George Athan, (who also played an awesome game at offensive end against one of Copiague's most aggressive players), Joey Leonard (who caused havoc up the middle) and Mike Rakitzis (who in his first year in the Pee Wee division has gotten two straight starts at the all important linebacker spot). The safeties were Daniel Bartlett, who made a spectacular solo tackle in the first half to save a touchdown and Timmy Michels (who has been a fixture at the safety position for two years for Gray). As they had done in the first half, Gray's defense started the second half with an absolutely stellar performance. The defense again shut down Copiague on their first possession of the second half. Gray then went back to work offensively using more key runs by Ciaramitaro, Leonard and Verbitsky to get back to Copiague's 11-yard line. Once again Gray gave the ball to the sure handed and fleet footed Verbitsky (who had three touchdown runs and did some of his best Curtis Martin-like running impersonations) who broke an 11-yard run for Grays third touchdown of the game giving them an 18-0 lead.

At this point you would think Gray was going to coast to its second victory of the season. But a very determined Copiague team was certainly not going down without a fight. Copiague, battled back scoring on its next two possessions to make it an 18-13 nailbiter.

With four minutes left in the game Copiague had driven to Gray's 45-yard line. With their backs against the wall Gray decided they were't going to lose this one in their house, especially in front of the hometown fans. Led by its starting defensive line of Chris Nickel, Zack Trimboli (a first year player, who has become a starter on both the offensive and defensive lines) Bryan Peterson, (who led the defensive line charge with two tackles and two assist tackles), and Nicky Bristoll they refused to give into the continuing efforts of Copiague to blast the middle of the line. The continued pursuit of defensive ends Verbitsky and Ciaramitaro, (who both were workhorses on offense and defense) linebackers Athan, (who is a fixture at left side linebacker because of his steady aggressive play), Leonard (who continually frustrated Copiague by his aggressive play over the middle) and Rakitzis along with safeties Michels and Bartlet were enough to give Copiague fits on runs to the outside all game and especially on this last drive. Copiague facing a fourth and a long 8 yards to go with two minutes remaining had to choose its poison for their final play of the game. If they go up the middle they would face a smash mouth defensive line. If they go outside they have the relentless pursuit of the defensive ends, linebackers and safeties.

With the clock running Copiague decided on a reverse to the right side. Momentarily it appeared that they would get outside for a game breaking touchdown. But playing like the warrior we all know he is Ciaramitaro was able to catch up with Copiague's runner for a 2-yard gain and end Copiague's final scoring threat.

Although Gray has gotten outstanding play from our experienced players special mentions must be given to the outstanding play of its first year players, Zack Trimboli (defensive line), Dakota Bransfield (center), and Davey Grecsek. Although you could highlight the rushing efforts of Verbitsky, Leonard and Ciaramitaro in this game, the blocking of the offensive line should not be forgotten. Usually in every game you can look to maybe one or two players who actually led the defense. The defensive effort had no clear cut leader. It was an entire team effort as almost every player either made tackles or assist tackles to lead the way.

Once again the parents, fans and the team's sponsor Ultimate Gym of Hicksville want to congratulate the team, Levittown Pee Wee Gray, on its second victory of the season in a very hard fought physical game. The next game is an away game at Plainedge, at 2 p.m. Wear plenty of gray to show your support. And to all the players, let's remember "who let the dogs out." (We know who.) In closing, like always, let's go Gray!

As team representatives Frank Nuzzi, Bobby Forgione, Anthony Hyde and Rob Vitale watched the Devils win the toss, the West Babylon Cowboys prepared their defensive attack. After last week's Opening Day crushing, 28-0 victory over the West Babylon Eagles, the Cowboys came to play.

Coming up against a ready defense, the Devil's offense, including Joe Ciaravino, Mark Sniffen, Vinny Panarelli, Frank Draghi and James Pagliocca and led by quarterback Scott Collier were unable to capitalize of spite of great blocking by Brian Meredith, Brian Gilmartin, Alex Torrelias, Alex Zic, Rob Vitale, Tyler Lauer, Chris Rogienski, Chris Callahan, Joe Martino, Steven Diaz, Scott Neal, Don-Mario St. Paul and Gabe Macias.

The Devils were not easily discouraged. The second quarter and jeers from the opposing fans as defensive linemen Moran, Ciaravino, Meredith, and topped with a crippling sack by Collier, kept the Cowboys from causing further damage. The half ended as Callahan stopped the pass with a hard hitting tackle, topped off with a fourth down sack by Ciaravino, holding the Cowboys to one touchdown at the end of the half.

As the Devils opened the second half on defense, Moran and Ciaravino held the Cowboys for no gain on the kick return. Unable to penetrate through the middle, the Cowboys took the ball to the outside, only to be stopped by Forgione, setting up a fumble recovered by Moran.

In the fourth quarter, the offensive line prepared to attack, A quick hand-off by Collier to Ciaravino for a 20-yard run put the Devils on the board with a 6-6 tie.

Effective defense by Panarelli, Hyde, Forgione, Collier, Moran, Rogienski, and Torrellas, stopped the Cowboys on their last run, making the final score of this nailbiter 6-6.

After a tough 18-6 loss to a well-schooled North Babylon team Midget Red came back with a vengeance to defeat its next opponent. Syosset was no match for the boys in red.

Midget Red got the ball first and proceeded to drive the ball right down the field. With excellent blocking Dominique Alexander, Anthony Wrightington, Nick Ferrara, and Brian Herold were able to run the ball easily, picking up 1st down after 1st down. Red quarterback Frankie Baglivo punched the ball in for the touchdown on a beautiful end run. Red was penalized for holding on the extra point but it didn't matter. Baglivo followed with 25 yard pass to Thomas Whitfield for the 2 point conversion.

Reds defense was tenacious not allowing a single first down all game and repeatedly gave the ball back to its offense. The defense is lead by Nick Pedersen, T. Brian Gill, Frank De'Lia, Don Polite, Andrew McKiel, Kevin McKenna, Mike Cook, Dominique Alexander, Nick Ferrara, Kyle Perkins, David Williams, Anthony Wrightington, Ben Hoose and Thomas Whitfield. The defense kept driving Syosset back giving its offense excellent field position.

On Reds second possession they again drove the ball down the field. After several 1st downs Baglivo did it again. Scoring his second touchdown of the game again on an end run. Eluding several tacklers and following his blockers Baglivo made the score 13-0. Reds decided to kick for the extra point and Ferrara put the ball right between the uprights to make the score 15-0.

Reds final tally of the game came in the 2nd quarter when Herold took a handoff from Baglivo on a reverse and ran it from the 20 yard line. The extra point was missed but Reds now led the game by a score of 21-0.

Reds offense was led by Thomas Taggart, Frank Cutrone, Justin Burger, Frank Baglivo, Anthony Wrightington, David Williams, Nick Thomas, Kyle Perkins, Joe Licitra, Brian Herold, Nick Ferrara, and Dominique Alexander.

Ahead now 21-0 Red was now forced to remove four of its key players from the game. The results were the same. With several players now subbing, Reds defense stayed in control and Syosset's offense was powerless. Reds offense was now playing without its key players but their replacements repeatedly moved the ball down the field but were unable to put the ball in the endzone. Final score Levittown Red 21 - Syosset 0.

A special recognition should be made to Anthony Wrightington and Nick Pedersen for filling in on positions they didn't practice and doing beautifully.

Keep it going Red - next stop Lindenhurst!

In their first home game of the season, Midget Gray defeated North Babylon 12-0.

North Babylon won the coin toss to start on offense. Gray's defense, led by Chris Brumber, Michael Cheshire, Craig Staub, Chris Celentani, Ronnie Cardno, Joe Labruyere, Brett Tom, Joe Fiore, Joe Cuccaro, and Nick Barber showed that they were a force to be reckoned with, when four plays later they gained possession of the ball.

At the end of the first quarter, with Gray's offense including Paul Altaro, Dennis Lawrence, Danny Dowd, Michael Drossos, Kyle Kriner, Brendan Lorenson, C.J. Reilly and Matthew Burmeister totally dominating the line of scrimmage. Gray drove the ball down the field.

On the first play of the second quarter Jack Lang was able to run the ball in for a touchdown, making the score 6-0. With only minutes remaining in the second quarter, quarterback Tom Celentani threw a beautiful pass to Ronnie Modik, who ran 41 yards to score Gray's second touchdown, bringing the score to 12-0 at the half.

The second half was a defensive battle, with neither team able to score. The final score was Midget Gray 12, North Babylon 0.

Special mention goes to Brett Tom and Chris Brumber for outstanding tackling, to Tom Celentani for two strips, and to Craig Staub and Ronnie Modik for fumble recoveries.

Missing from Sunday's game were Michael Inglese and Chris Bauer.

Next week Gray will travel to Copiague for what promises to be an exciting game. GO GRAY!