Since the beginning of the football season, 20 warriors have courageously battled under pressure and against all odds, only to end up on the short end of the stick. Those 20 warriors are the Mineola Mustangs varsity football team. Outweighed and overpowered, these guys have shed blood, sweat and tears, digging deep inside themselves to match strength with opponents twice their size. Some tough breaks and mistakes due to inexperience led to back to back shutouts at home for the boys in red, white and black. These selfless men have walked off the field physically and emotionally drained, leaving every ounce of effort and energy on the field. On top of all of this, these figurative kamikazes have had to deal with the feeling of disappointing their peers and community as a whole.

As one of the team's captains, I would like to say one thing. In a season full of lowered expectations, disloyalty from fans and every game being a harder fight than the last, I have found something special. I have become part of a brotherhood. The other 19 guys who step out onto the field with me are 19 of the toughest, bravest and hardworking guys I've ever had the pleasure of being around. In a school where it is already hard enough to field a lacrosse team due to the lack of work ethic, I was unsure my senior season would even take place. But it has thanks to these guys whom I respect above all others. Although we have not won yet, I could not ask for more out of each and every one of them. In losses of 18 and 24 point differentials, it is very easy to just quit, but that has not happened. If you do not agree with me, take a look at our bruised and battered bodies and see if you feel the same. We have played with the world's last pure performance enhancing drug - heart.

All I am really trying to say is that it is very easy to be an outsider and criticize the team for the outcomes of the first two games, but realize one thing: those guys you watch on the field every Saturday are playing for you, trying to win every game so that you, their friends and their teachers, will be proud of them. So to all those guys who go into battle with me as my brothers every Saturday, I am proud of you. You are the bravest, noblest group I've ever known. And to all those critics whom I despise, I hope one day you can be as proud of something as I am of my brothers - the 2000 Mineola Mustang football team.

(Steve Bruno is one of the captains of the Mineola Mustang football team. The following article was originally printed in the Mineola High School student newspaper.)