The Oak Neck Athletic Council's football team (ages 9-10) met the undefeated North Babylon Bulldogs in an exhilarating engagement for the Nassau Suffolk Midget Football League Superbowl at Phelps Lane in North Babylon on Sunday, Dec. 2.

North Babylon teams were represented in all six divisions of the NSFL Superbowl Championships. Skeptics declared that the undefeated Bulldogs, outnumbering the Falcons, and at a size and weight advantage, would mean an almost certain victory for North Babylon. But the Falcon's talent, excellent coaching and an intense desire to return home victorious proved them wrong.

Throughout the game both teams were able to penetrate deep into their opponents' territory only to be thwarted by exceptional defensive stands. With six minutes left in the game, the strong and unrelenting running of Anthony Brunetti of Bayville paid off. He scored from the 20 yard line on a spinning, pounding run shedding several would-be tacklers. The score was now 6-0 in favor of the Falcons.

The pursuing crucial extra point play would prove decisive. Head Coach Rick Alfano met with quarterback Billy Clark of East Norwich to discuss this pivotal play. Billy Clark took the snap and sprinted out to the right eluding one tackler and launched a pass connecting with the outstretched hands of running back Willie Fuller of Locust Valley. The extra point was good and the Falcons were now leading 7-0.

The Bulldogs now had the ball on their 40-yard line with only minutes left. They proceeded to slowly work their way down the field eating away precious time on the clock and they finally scored. The score now 7-6, but the Falcons were determined not to let them score the extra point to tie the game. The Bulldogs quarterback took the snap, handed off to their star running back and met a wall of Falcons on the one-yard line. The Falcons were victorious.

Coaches Rick Alfano, Pat Guerriero, Bill Fuller, Tom Watson and ONAC President Pat Natale were extremely proud of their team who have worked diligently toward this victory since August and tried to remain focused through such a tragic time in our nation's history.

Upon returning to Bayville, the team was treated to a fire truck ride through town with sirens wailing and residents cheering as they held high their beautiful trophy. Saturday, a wonderful dinner was held for the champions at the Italian American Club in Oyster Bay.

The champions are: Robert Alfano, Christopher Brienza, Anthony Brunetti, Billy Clark, Chad Cloninger, Ben Curley, Jack and James DiTuro, Joseph Florio, Willie Fuller, John Guerriero, Michael Martucci, Marc Mauro, Zachary Ney, Scott Patterson, Donald Valsecchi and Matthew Ventrella.