On Saturday, Nov. 11, Pee Wee Gray played their final regular season game before they head into the playoffs. With first place and home field advantage throughout the playoffs on the line, Gray came to this game very pumped up. As Gray lined up for the first offensive possession of the game, it was evident that size wise and physically Brentwood was the much larger team. The first half was basically played in the middle of the field with neither team able to get much offense going. Gray's offense consisted of linemen George Athan, Chris Nickel, Mike Rakitzis, Nicky Bristol, Bryan Peterson, Zack Trimboli and center Dakota Bransfield. The backfield consisted of quarterback Daniel Bartlett and running backs Bryan Verbitsky, Anthony Ciaramitaro and Joey Leonard. Even facing this size disadvantage, Gray was very stunned that they were unable to get their usually high powered scoring machine into gear. As the first half drew to a close, you could certainly say that it was an evenly matched game as the 0-0 score indicated.

As the second half opened, Grays defense consisted of left end George Athan, right end Daniel Bartlett, linemen Chris Nickel, Mike Rakitzis, Zack Trimboli, Bryan Petersen and constantly rotated into the line were Damien Calderon, Nicky Bristoll and Mike James. Linebackers were Bryan Verbitsky, Joey Leonard and Anthony Ciaramitaro. The safeties were Davey Grecsek and Timmy Michels. Gray's defense once again held Brentwood from scoring on their first possession of the second half. Gray was also stopped on its first offensive possession of the second half and the game seemed to be a mirror image of the first half.

Late in the third quarter, tell tale signs of the physical overmatch Gray was up against started to appear. You could see the boys were starting to wear down. As Gray's roster only consists of 15 players they do not get much time for rest. Brentwood took advantage of this opportunity and drove down the field for a 6-0 lead as the third quarter ended. Again throughout the fourth quarter Gray held tough refusing to let this game get away from them. Still unable to get the offense moving Gray surrendered the ball late in the fourth quarter. Again Brentwood took advantage of Gray's weariness and drove in for one final score and a 14-0 lead as the fourth quarter ended.

Anyone watching this game has got to be proud of how our boys played. They never gave up, never quit and always believed they were going to pull it out. Gray's stellar defense was led by Anthony Ciaramitaro with 8 tackles, Bryan Peterson with 5 tackles, Bryan Verbitsky with 4 tackles, Joey Leonard with 4 tackles, Chris Nickel with 4 tackles and George Athan with 3 tackles, Daniel Bartlett with 3 tackles and Timmy Michels with 3 tackles.

As things have shaped up with this division, believe it or not, Gray finished with an 8-2 record could not even get them first place. Heading into this final weekend Gray was tied with North Babylon for first place. Gray even had the tiebreaker advantage, having beaten North Babylon 20-8 in the fifth game of the season. On Sunday, Nov. 12, North Babylon squared up against Wantagh Black. Gray needed Wantagh Black to knock off North Babylon. This would have locked up first place and home field advantage throughout the playoffs for Gray. As luck would have it, the matchup ended in a 12-12 tie. Thus giving the top spot to North Babylon with an 8-1-1 record. Gray's final two opponents were very tough games as both Levittown Gold and Brentwood Gold finished with 9-1 records.

As Gray heads into the playoffs, they can only hold their heads up high and be proud of what they have accomplished. They held first place from the first game of the season until the final day.

All standings and scheduling information can be checked at the Nassau-Suffolk Football League web site at www.nsfl.com.

Gray's first playoff game is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19 at home against division opponent Copiague. Time to be announced. So wear lots of gray, bring lots of relatives, friends, neighbors and anyone willing to cheer us on at the game. Cheer louder than the visiting team this time. Cheering in the proper context does help fire up your team. So let's hear it this weekend.

Like always - let's go Gray.

It was football weather last Sunday afternoon, with overcast skies and a little bit of wind. Midget White came prepared to go to war. The teams fought toe to toe until Wantagh scored at the end of the first quarter. An interception by William Cote stopped the extra point. It seemed that this week White would not be denied their opportunity to put points on the board. After another Wantagh score, the offense led by quarterback Robby Morrisey drove the length of the field and running back Dylan Saccone punched it in from the one-yard line. The scoring went back and forth. On the next drive White marched down the field and the drive ended with running back Mike Torrellas taking it into the end zone on a 15 yard end around. Running back Rich Vitale ran in the extra point. The crowd was going wild and the White offense was clicking on all cylinders. Outstanding offensive line play was a key to our success. Those lineman and ends are: Kyle Lutz, Dylan Saccone, Brandon Mulholland, Monica Morace, Kurt Lazzara, Nick Murray and Heath Feldman. Our next drive was hard fought and exciting, ending with runningback Mike McIlwarth shaking and baking his way into the end zone from 8 yards out. The extra point was taken in by quarterback Bobby Morrisey. Hard hitting defensive play had the crowd clapping and cheering. Those defensive players were Tom Dargenio, Bobby Barsch, Derek Meinzinger, Peter Molino, Monica Morace, Nick Murphy, Nick Murray and Kyle Lutz. This defensive unit has really come together. After making some huge runs on our last drive, running back Rich Vitale would not be denied. Carrying defenders on his back, he smashed it in for a 3 yard touchdown. The extra point was made when left end Heath Feldman made a diving catch in the end zone. This week there was a different feeling at the game. It did not feel as if they lost, but only that the clock ran out.

The team hopes to see Corey Rugen, Justin Habermiel and Bobby Withmarsh next week at the Turkey Bowl. They are missed.

After suffering its second loss 13-0 to Copiague last week Midget Red knew its last game would be very important. A loss would drop them into third place and they would lose home field advantage for the first game of the playoffs. They would be starting the playoffs on a losing streak with their confidence in question. This was a must game for Red.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon with a slight chill in the air but Midget Red was hot as a pistol. Right from the start you could see Red came to play. Red got the ball first and proceeded to drive the ball straight down the field for a touchdown. The extra point was missed but Red jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead. Red's offensive line was in total control of their opponent's line. The line is made up of Thomas Taggert, Kyle Perkins, Nicholas Thomas, Justin Burger, T. Brian Gill, Frank Cutrone, Johnathan Baez, David Williams, Andrew McKiel and Thomas Whitfield.

The defense now took over and made short work of Brentwoods' offense. Whatever Brendwood tried, Reds defense was up for the task. The defense consists of Frankie Baglivo, Don Polite, Nick Ferrara, Anthony Wrightington, Brian Herold, Kevin McKenna, Frank De'Lie, Dominique Alexander, Mike Cook, Williams, Perkins, Gill McKiel, Whitfield and Cutrone. Time after time Red's defense would stop Brentwood in their tracks and give the ball back to its offense.

Red would score two more times in the first half. One on a beautiful 45 yard off tackle run by Anthony Wrightinton and the other a 60 yard off tackle gallop by Dominique Alexander.

The second half was a game of catch us if you can. With four of Red's key players out, Brentwood would finally score only to have Red come right back and score again. Brendwood would score two more times with Red again answering back. It was as if Red could score at will. Time would finally run out on Brentwood and the final score was Levittown 30 - Brentwood 18.

Congratulations to Frankie Baglivo on his first starting role on defense and coming up with his first interception, to Dominique Alexander for his four touchdown runs in the game, and to several players on the team who were asked to play new positions while some of their teammates were unable to attend the game.

This team is made up of mostly 9 year olds with several key 10 year olds to lead them on. What they have accomplished so far this year has been simply amazing to watch. After the playoffs when the 10 year olds move up they will be truly missed. So getting to the playoffs, winning it all, will give this group of young men something they can look back on. Look out Plainedge you're in the way. Midget Red wants it all. Go Red, it's been a great ride let's not let it end.

Pee Wee Red played home this past weekend, hosted by their rivals Pee Wee White. Both teams were hungry for a win.

Pee Wee White went on top 6-0 on a long sweeping run. Pee Wee Red did not allow them to score their extra point. After this touchdown Pee Wee Red went to work. The line of Red was awesome. Blocking by Tom Kowalski (#78), Colin Cassidy (#72), Pattrick Higgins (#74), Michael Valencia (#73), and Matt Hickey (#65) was exceptional, driving play after play. First downs by Joe Connors (#14) set up the big play, a perfect pass by Sal Sanquini (#15) to running back Brandon Gamblin (#23). Gamblin caught the ball in stride and was off to the races, 50 yards in all. The extra point was scored by Matt Hegal (#89) on a quick pass. The first half ended 7-6 in favor of Pee Wee Red.

The second half started out with Pee Wee Red driving the ball. Great centering by Pete Tucci (#50) kept these drives going. Dillon Cardno (#35) and Kyle Higgin (#36) alternated drives. Without the blocking from the wings, none of this would have worked. Pee Wee Red ended the third quarter just short of a first down on their own 7 yard line.

Now Pee Wee Red's defense had to hold. Defensive linemen Sean Abbate (#60), Corey Gamblin (#30), Randy Vasquez (#10), Linebackers and Safeties Cyle Delardi (#7), Peter Mack (#5), Patrick Higgins (#74), and Ken Guzman (#80) shut down White's attack.

Fourth quarter started and Pee Wee Red made a drive that was remarkable. Play after play, first down after first down, no mistakes eating up the clock, with minutes left on the clock Red scored but the touchdown was called back. Now instead of first and goal on the five it was first and goal on the 15. Red calmly ran two timer for three and four yard gains and in the third down Sanquini swept right following his blocking for a touchdown. Pee Wee Red completed its scoring with a pass from Sanquini to Frank Dichara (#32). Pee Wee Red now was winning 14-6. Pee Wee White ran two plays to end the game, 14-6, Red on top.

The Pee Wee Red coaches wish to thank the kids and their parents for a wonderful season.

Midget Gray extended their winning to 10-0 on Sunday, completing a perfect season. Gray finished the season with a decisive 24-6 win over Seaford.

Gray's scoring began early, with two touchdowns in the first quarter by Chris Brumber and Tom Celentani. Early in the second quarter Ronnie Modik intercepted the ball and ran it in for Gray's third touchdown, making the score 18-0. At this time Chris Brumber, Tom Celentani, Jack Lang, and Ronnie Modik were pulled from the game. Seaford was able to break through Gray's defense and score late in the second quarter, making the score 18-6 at the half. Gray scored once more in the fourth quarter when Lang intercepted a pass and ran for a touchdown. The final score was Gray 24, Seaford 6.

Special mention goes to the entire team for outstanding offensive and defensive play throughout the season. Gray's offense has scored an amazing 212 points, while the defense has given up only 44 points all season.

Midget Gray's stars include Paul Altaro, Nick Barber, Chris Bauer, Chris Brumber, Matthew Burmeister, Ronnie Cardno, Chris Celentani, Tommy Celentani, Michael Cheshire, Joey Cuccaro, Danny Dowd, Michael Drossos, Joe Fiore, Kyle Kriner, Joe Labruyere, Jack Lang, Dennis Lawrence, Ronnie Modik, C.J. Reilly, Craig Staub, and Brett Tom. Every player on the team should be very proud of their accomplishments.

The parents would like to thank Coaches Scott Brumber, Ralph Celentani, Ernie Burmeister, Ronnie Modik, Jules Inglese, and Joe Labruyere for teaching the boys the game of football. More importantly the parents want to thank them for teaching the boys what it means to be part of a team. They appreciate the hard work and dedication.

Gray's playoff game will be next Sunday against Copaigue, at Loring Road. Come out and see what promises to be a great game. Go Gray!