Sunday October 15 2017 01:30 pm
MUSTANG SENIORS 25 Bellmore Braves 12
Overtime: NO
MUSTANG SENIORS Uniform: WHITE & GOLD
Opponent
Bellmore Braves
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Game Location
Newbridge Rd Pk
Newbridge Rd
Bellmore Ny
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Current Period
FINAL
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Weather Conditions
Cloundy & warm
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League game: YES
Counts in standings: YES
Home Game: NO
Mustangs Buck Braves For Third Straight Win
By Bob Tobin
Anthony Conetta cuts his way to the end-zone as the Mustangs roll to 3-1
10-15-17 – The 2-1 Mustang Seniors travelled to Newbridge Road Park to face the Bellmore Braves following a bye week that luckily broke none of the momentum they achieved when beating Hempstead in week 3. And although Bellmore put on their best brave faces, Massapequa had relatively no trouble dictating the terms of the game en-route to their third consecutive victory of the season.
Bellmore received the opening kick and found some success in the air early, but that quickly became a no fly zone as the Mustang defense, led by Tim McGrath, swarmed and gang tackled, forcing the home team to punt from mid-field. The ever dangerous Jared Howes gathered in the punt at the Massapequa 35 and, thanks to some outstanding blocking, found an edge and took the ball 65 yards for the Mustangs first special teams touchdown of the season. In the blink of an eye, the Mustangs led 6-0.
Once again the Massapequa defense overwhelmed Bellmore, but they remained undeterred and attempted a deep pass along the left sidelines. Michael Maron was in step-for-step tight coverage, gained position on the route, and hauled in the throw for his first interception of the season. Thanks again to some great blocking, Maron returned the pick nearly 50 yards to the Bellmore 20 yard line where QB Ryan Heidrich & company began their first offensive series of the afternoon. No (new) bridges over troubled waters here as Kyle Tobin, on the first play from scrimmage, took an inside handoff untouched for 20 yards and the score. Wind was a factor on the PAT (as it would be most of the afternoon) and the score remained close with the Mustangs leading 12-0.
Bellmore’s next possession was more of the same as the Massapequa defense remained in attack mode, this time with Liam DeVos leading the charge. But Bellmore refused to back down and executed a fake punt pass that moved the chains in the waning seconds of the first quarter. Bellmore looked to pass the ball downfield again, but more pressure from DeVos allowed Johnny Yahner and Mike Maron to be in perfect position to break up the attempt. The Braves went to the fake punt well again, but this time the Mustangs were ready, forcing them to turn the ball over on downs thanks to a nice first down saving tackle by Mike D’Alessandro. Having more than earned the right to keep that momentum going, D’Alessandro took the opening handoff of the next series outside for 49 yards and juked his way into the end-zone in what would prove to be the game winning score. Heidrich’s PAT to Tobin gave the Mustangs a commanding 19-0 lead.
Bellmore found some life in their next drive, moving the ball in the air into Massapequa territory. But once again the Mustangs defense rose up, and some hard hitting by Harold Cunningham, Francis Matranga and Anthony Matturro forced Bellmore into a crucial 4th and 14 from the Massapequa 32 yard line. Needing a big play, Bellmore came out throwing but Jared Howes was there once again, adding an interception to his game resume of thrills and chills. But the next offensive series for the Mustangs was an endless array of offensive penalties that ended in a 4th and 45 (you read that right folks) at their own 5 yard line. Johnny Yahner’s punt gave the Massapequa defense a bit of breathing room, but Bellmore had terrific field position at the visitor 24 yard line. Thanks to a TD saving tackle by Mike Valentine, the scored held at 19-0 at the end of the half despite a 4th and goal opportunity for Bellmore that was summarily stuffed by seemingly every Mustang defender on the field.
The Mustangs were clearly in command of this game as the third quarter began, and some power running by Tobin along with a 30 yard burst to the Bellmore 12 yard line by D’Alessandro afforded Massapequa the opportunity to utilize their depth, namely in the form of meteorite Anthony Conetta. Good things seem to happen when Conetta is on the field, and true to form, the wrestling state champion speedster gashed his way in for another Massapequa score.
Down 25-0, Bellmore refused to stay down and returned an impressive kickoff from Matturro nearly 80 yards to squash any shutout dreams Massapequa may have had. But a PAT saving tackle by Cunningham kept the score at a very manageable 25-6 Mustangs lead.
The fourth quarter began with a mix of Yahner and Conetta carrying the load and the clock was now becoming a serious factor for Bellmore. But once again they braved their way back, this time with the Bellmore QB connecting on a beautiful 83 yard pass and score play. But on a day of PAT’s coming at a premium, Bellmore followed the trend and could not convert, keeping the score 25-12 Mustangs.
Looking to run out the clock, the Mustangs controlled the ball with a mix of Conetta and Yahner, who chipped and dipped the Mustangs to the Bellmore 24. Gerry Gebhard carried the ball deeper into Bellmore territory, but a Massapequa fumble on the next play turned the ball over to the Braves, giving them one last breathe. But that gasp was quickly extinguished by D’Alessandro who delivered an absolutely massive hit on the Bellmore runner, fittingly ending their brave comeback once and for all.
This was truly a business as usual team effort in all phases of the game for the Mustangs. From the unsung heroes of the offensive line to the role players, the Seniors’ are beginning to have the look of a team that could and should go deep into the post season. Stay tuned and enjoy the ride everybody!
Final Score
Mustangs – 25
Bellmore - 12
CURRENT RECORD:
3-1
NEXT GAME:
Sunday 10/22 v. Levittown; 1:30 @ John J. Burns*
*time may be subject to change;
** Photos courtesy of Denise Conetta