The Mineola High School varsity football team's hopes of making the playoffs moved forward when the Mustangs won their homecoming game 13-7 over East Rockaway. Mineola got on the board in the first half on a 35-yard TD pass from Richie Carter to Tom Owens. Julio Gauto added the extra point.

The Rocks came back and tied the game just before halftime. It wasn't until Derek Weber scooted 30 yards off tackle with 9:53 left in the game that the Mustangs went ahead to stay.

The Mineola defense, led by Derek Weber, Pat Gaffney, Greg Gabriel and Anthony Tretolo shut down East Rockaway in the second half, making it difficult for the Rocks to even get to midfield.

The Mustangs held the visitors to just 38 yards rushing and 50 yards passing for the game. Weber had a huge homecoming game. He carried 13 times for 70 yards and a touchdown while pacing the defense with 15 tackles, one assist and three quarterback sacks.

Carter connected on five of 10 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown while running four times for 23 yards. Carter also had a big fourth quarter interception to help secure the win. Gabriel had five tackles and an assist while Gaffney made six solo tackles and assisted on three others while notching a quarterback sack. Tretolo had two sacks, including one on fourth down to stop the final East Rockaway drive. Julio Gauto also had an interception. On offense, in addition to his touchdown catch, Owens caught three balls for 53 yards. The win improved the Mustangs' record to 2-1, heading to Clarke for the Rams' homecoming.

A hard fought contest on Oct. 9 ended in a disappointing 13-12 defeat. Mineola took the lead 6-0 when Derek Weber scored on a four yard run in the second quarter. He scored on an option play that coach Dan Guido said, "Rich Carter ran with precision." The extra point attempt failed.

Clarke tied the score when Mike Grimes scored on a one-yard run. The Rams converted on their extra point.

The missed extra point by the Mustangs, their first of the season, proved to loom later in the game.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Mustangs went back in front with 4:30 left on a two-yard run from fullback Greg Gabriel. "The key play was a tremendous 24-yard catch by Tom Owens off a pass from Rich Carter."

The Mustangs tried a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful.

Later, though, it looked like Mineola had made the stop it had to make in the fourth quarter. As Clarke sat 4th down and 13 at its own 37-yard line, quarterback Steve Steward lofted a Hail Mary pass deep into Mustang territory. The receiver made a tremendous catch allowing Stewart to score from the one-yard line to put the Rams up to stay. Clarke's two point conversion failed.

Mineola had one last chance. The Mustangs got the ball to the Clarke 40-yard line, but lost the ball and any chance to rally on a fumble.

"The team played a great game. Clarke is a much bigger and very physical team. They began the season as the second seeded team in Conference IV after losing the championship game last season to Roosevelt," said coach Guido.

The Mustangs had a record of 2-2 heading into an Oct. 16 key matchup against Carle Place.