Mustangs Earn Second Title in a Row - Third Time in Five Years

The Mineola varsity football team earned the right to compete at Hofstra in the Nassau County playoffs capping off a wild but successful season. The Mustangs finished with a record of 4-4 to finish ahead of 10 other teams in their conference to earn the fourth and final spot in this year's playoffs. Due to their high seed and tough schedule the boys ended up with more power points than four other teams that had more wins than they did. A few of those teams did not play Mineola during the year. The Mustangs also defeated Manhasset who finished in the third spot and lost a heartbreaker 29-27 to Clarke HS on the last play of the game. (Clarke finished in the second position.)

The Mustangs had to prove week in, week out that they could beat any team in the league. All the team's victories came by a touchdown or less and three of their defeats came on a scoring play in the last 15 seconds of the game. After their third loss the team thought the season's title hopes were over. Things looked bleak going into the second half of the season at 1-3. Even with a number of injuries to key players such as All County RB and strong safety Dan Medlock, starting offensive and defensive tackle Andrew Breen and starting linebacker and RB Ivan Anania and starting center Marcin G., the Mustangs prevailed. They won three of their last four games to earn their chance to play at Hofstra.

The playoff game would be a rematch with the 8-0 Roosevelt Rough Riders. The first game was much closer than the final score would show. Mineola took the early lead 14-0. Roosevelt battled back to tie the score at the half 14-14. In the final minute of the third quarter the Mustangs were down 21-14, but had just driven 60 yards and had a first down on Roosevelt's 20-yard line. On the next play, Mineola fumbled and the Rough Riders recovered. They went on to score and dominate the fourth quarter with a final score of 43-14. Although the Mustangs lost, for three quarters they proved that they could play with the eventual #1 seed in the playoffs.

The playoff game also turned out to be a very hard-fought battle. The Mustang defense was up to the task as the Roosevelt offense (averaging almost 40 points a game) was held scoreless for three quarters of the game. On Mineola's first possession they drove down to a first and goal at the Roosevelt 6-yard line. Roosevelt held and Mineola missed on a field goal attempt. On the next possession the Mustangs again had a first and goal at the Roosevelt 8. The Rough Riders again held as the ball was turned over on downs. These two missed scoring opportunities were crucial as the half ended 0-0. The powerful Roosevelt offense had been completely shut down by the tough Mineola defense. The second half started out the same as the first with both defenses holding. On Roosevelt's ensuing punt the ball swirling in a 50 mph gust of wind was unable to be caught and rolled to Mineola's three-yard line. Unable to move the ball out from the shadow of their own end zone the Mustangs attempted a quick kick that was blocked and recovered by Roosevelt at the end zone for a 6-0 lead. Roosevelt then took a 12-0 lead after a second blocked punt was recovered by Roosevelt at the Mineola one-yard line. In the fourth quarter with the wind now in Mineola's favor the Mustangs punted and pinned Roosevelt deep in their own territory. Defensive end Peter Averiamo and linebacker Greg Gabriel then combined to tackle the Roosevelt running back in their end zone causing a fumble that was recovered by outside linebacker Pat Gaffney for a Mineola TD. So with four minutes to go in the game, the Mustangs were still in it only down by six points. Finally after 44 minutes Roosevelt's offense and All County RB broke through for a long TD run that put them ahead 20-6. That's how the score would end, but even though they lost the Mustangs proved that they belonged in the playoffs and were worthy of the title of Big 4 Champion.

Congratulations to all the Mineola varsity football players for all the hard work they put in this season:

Sophomores - Anthony Tretolo and Leo Morales.

Juniors - Joe Ricciardi, Rich Carter, Mike Bencivenga, Pat Gaffney, Nick Laurino, Greg Gabriel, Andrew Jakubek, Andrew Breen, Marci Gajdziszewski, Kevin Franciotti, Dan Vezo, Rob Wong, Julio Gauto.

Seniors - Chris Boeshore, John Ventura, Jerelle Harrison, John Boland, Brian Harris, Jon Zubarriain, Kyle Rosner, Bill Mills, Ivan Anania, Hoil Chung.

Senior Captains - Peter Averaimo, Dan Medlock, Jimmy Holubowich.

Special Congratulations to Honors Winners:

All Conference - Peter Averaimo, Bill Mills and Greg Gabriel.

Academic All Conference - Jim Holubowich.

National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete - Dan Medlock and Jim Holubowich.

All County - Dan Medlock and Jim Holubowich (second time).