Nine-Year-Old Mineola Chiefs Win Second Championship

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Nine-Year-Old Mineola Chiefs Win Second Championship

Friday, 07 December 2012 00:00

The 9-year-old Mineola Chiefs football team repeated as the Nassau County Youth Football League Class A champions, beating the Rosedale Jets 6-0 on Nov. 18 in overtime.

After posting a record of 7-0-1, the Chiefs, led by head coach Mike Cavallaro, advanced to the Class A playoffs. They beat the Bellmore Braves 14-0 and advanced to the championship game, against the previously undefeated Jets. Both teams ranked at the top in scoring during the regular season, but this game turned out to be a defensive battle.

Coach Paul Selhorn’s defense held the Jets to minimal yards for the entire game. Led by Tyler Burke, James Kapralos and Joe Iadevaia, the Chiefs were able to hold the Jets high-powered offense in check.

The 9-year-old Mineola Chiefs attained its second consecutive championship. Even when the Jets took the air, the Chiefs had solid coverage by Tommy Sluka and Luke Orbon, who also had a crucial interception. On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs were able to move the ball with positive runs by Caleb Johnson and Patrick Selhorn. However, they were never able to reach the end zone for a score.

Regulation ended in a 0-0 tie, and for the second consecutive year, the Chiefs would have to win the championship in overtime. After winning the coin toss, the Jets received the ball with four chances to score from the Mineola 10-yard line.

As the ball was snapped on third down, Robert Dimilia was able to knock the ball loose for a fumble. Henry Villa recovered the ball, giving the Chiefs four chances to win the championship.

Down to their last chance on fourth down from the one-yard line, Sluka handed the ball to Caleb Johnson, who was able to break through the defensive line for the touchdown and seal the championship.

The players and parents thanked Cavallaro, Selhorn, Dave Burke and Mike Bencivenga for their service.

News

Night On The Town May 22

Saturday, 18 May 2013 00:00

Dinner and dancing benefits Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Night on the Town began about eight years ago, when the Church of St. Aidan in Williston Park was looking to raise money. Mineola resident Harry Zapiti stepped in.

He brought the idea to St. Aidan’s board. All Zapiti wanted was the support.

One ReFill At A Time

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

East Williston resident stumping for greener future

The future is green and Wheatley School student Graham Turk is making it a point to remind you, one less plastic bottle at a time.

Turk’s environment-friendly initiative, the ReFill Project, which started in 2011 at the Wheatley School, seeks to reduce the use of disposable plastic water bottles in schools. Last year, the East Williston resident headed the installation of two water refill stations in the Old Westbury school’s halls.

Sports

MAA Travel Soccer News

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

Travel Soccer Tryout Dates Announced

The Mineola Athletic Association’s soccer program will be holding its annual tryouts for their travel soccer teams in early June. Boys and girls in the U10, U11, and U12 age groups are invited to tryouts on Monday, June 3 and Thursday, June 6.

All interested athletes are encouraged to attend both try-out sessions, which will be held at Wilson Park on Field 3 (behind the pool and at the end of Liberty Avenue). For more information on practice times, age qualification, commitment, etc. please visit the MAA Web site at www.mineolaaa.org

Athlete Of The Week

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

Ashley Stavish, 17

MHS Girls Lacrosse

Ashley Stavish is a member of the Mineola Girl’s Lacrosse team. Ashley has been a four-year member of the varsity team and is a co-captain. In 2012 she was voted by Nassau County Girls Lacrosse Association to be an All Conference player.