In their 2008 season opener, the Mineola PAL Chief's 7-year-old team played at home and beat the Bellmore Braves 12-6 in front of a crowd of over 100 screaming fans from both sides.

The Chiefs' offense, along with quarterback Michael O'Connell, were able to move the ball as a result of great blocking by the offensive line centered by Joe Martello and anchored by Kevin Parente, Patrick McTiernan, Matthew O'Connell, Anthony Giunta and Spenser Warantz. Key runs by running backs Lance Costa, Matthew Sluka, Thomas Albig, Jason Eccher and Philip Arnold helped the offense control the ball throughout the game.

The defense was intense making gang tackles all over the field. The defensive line of Dylan Vincenti, Michael LaGinestra, Steven Mushorn, Jack Nichols, Nicholas Vitanza, Jack Duff and Aidan Hornberger kept the pressure on Bellmore's offense. Linebackers O'Connell and Sluka attacked the ball and finished the job. Cornerbacks and Safeties were fearless; they were lead by Andrew Casoria, Matthew Grimm, Kieran Hendry, Sean Hembach and Joseph Judge.

The entire Mineola 7-year-old team and coaching staff showed outstanding character and sportsmanship. All the boys played and participated in the victory, which was the first football game of their careers. Scoring is summarized as follows:

O'Connell 57 yard Touchdown Run (xpoint failed)

O'Connell 45 yard Touchdown Run (xpoint failed)

The Mineola Chiefs 11-year-old White Team opened the season on the road and beat the Uniondale Knights 38-32. The offense was able to move the ball and protect quarterback Thomas O'Connell throughout the game due to great blocking by the offensive line of Gavin Dowd, Michael Delio, Andrew Hastings, Lucas Golon, Philip Ciuffo and Michael Husch. Runningbacks Ryan Eccher pounded the ball and Thomas Davis was electric, making moves all over the field and keeping Uniondale's Defense honest. This opened up the passing game for O'Connell to complete four touchdown passes to Teddy Capsis and Brian Smith.

Unfortunately this wasn't a day to write about the Chiefs defense. In the fourth quarter, key tackles by Davis, O'Connell, John Clancy, Peter McCormack, Justin Johnson and an interception by O'Connell, stopped Uniondale three times and saved the game as the Chiefs escaped with the win.

Every member of the 11-year-old team played and participated in the victory, including Luis Costa, Steven Gessner, Blake Hargrove, Matthew Lafaye and an injured Michael Patalano who took a knee on the last play of the game. Scoring is summarized as follows:

Davis: 35-yard touchdown run (Johnson xpoint Run)

O'Connell: 10-yard touchdown pass to Capsis (xpoint failed)

O'Connell: 7-yard touchdown pass to Capsis (xpoint failed)

Davis: 23-yard touchdown run (O'Connell xpoint Pass to Capsis)

O'Connell: 8-yard touchdown pass to Capsis (xpoint failed)

O'Connell: 20-yard touchdown pass to Smith (xpoint failed)