Big plays have been the key to Mineola's 9-year-old Police Athletic League football team's season by making or breaking each game.

On Sunday, big plays broke the game open as West Hempstead (4-2) defeated Mineola (2-4) 39-13.

Mineola moved the ball well on their first possession, converting three first downs before Kevin Wilkins capped off the drive with a 26-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter, giving the Chiefs an early 6-0 lead.

The Generals were then stopped on their first possession by a stingy Mineola defense, but quickly got the ball back after the Chiefs were unable to gain a first down.

West Hempstead took over Mineola's 44-yard line and the big plays began.

On their first play from scrimmage the Generals scored, and the extra point gave them a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter.

Mineola was unable to gain anything offensively, as West Hempstead scored three more touchdowns within a three minute span before halftime on two long runs and a long fumble recovery for a touchdown.

The Generals scored three more touchdowns after halftime to completely blow the game open.

Chiefs quarterback Trever Landry scored the only other touchdown for Mineola on a one-yard sneak as time expired.