Mineola Chiefs Honor Coach Beckett with Victory

On a cold and cloudy Sunday, the Mineola PAL Chiefs Football program took a time out from a busy schedule to honor the memory of assistant coach Charles Beckett who passed away last year. With a large group of children, players, coaches, parents and guests on hand the Chiefs unveiled a memorial plaque at the clubhouse flagpole monument.

Among the guests were the 40 members of the Chiefs 1994 Nassau County Undefeated 12 Year Old Champions who were coached by Beckett and the 1992 Mineola Chiefs PAL 10 Year Old Football team. Special guests were the Beckett family, Mayor John P. Colbert, Activities Coordinator Angelo Scuccimari and Mineola PAL Athletic Director Tom Flynn and Tony Bencivenga, the head coach of both the 1994 Nassau County champions and this year's 10-year-old team.

A reception for all in attendance followed, after which many of those present made their way to Hampton Stadium where the Chiefs 10-year-olds took on Locust Valley in a game dedicated to Coach Beckett's memory. The game ended Mineola 26 Locust Valley 0.

Behind a strong defensive effort led by Lineman Ricky Cinelli, Andrey Jakubek, Robert Lupfer and Patrick Gaffney held the Locust Valley Gators to only 56 yards total offense. Meanwhile the quarterback trio of Anthony Scarpinato, Johnny Carallo and Mike Bencivenga directed the Chiefs offense to over 300 yards and four big touchdowns. Corey Rollins, John Carallo, Reinshawn Watson and team Captain Mike Harmon scored the Chiefs touchdowns while Cinelli and Scarpinato had the extra points. Other offensive stars included Brandon Rincon, Tom Marino, Fiori Mastroianni and Patrick Gaffney.