The 9-year-old Mineola Chiefs won the Nassau County ‘A’ NCYFL Championship at the Mitchel Field Athletic Complex beating the perennial powerhouse Massapequa Mustangs, 26-13.
The Chiefs 8-2 record and season was highlighted by an award-winning, dominant 6-2 defense and by great defensive coordination. But after a very long season, on this day the Chiefs’ offense finally came alive and took over the game with precision.
“We have been relying on our strong defensive play all season, and that it was finally satisfying being able to get the offense going and take some pressure off our defensive unit,” said Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Bobby Redmond.
The Chiefs’ offense was clicking on all cylinders and moved the ball up and down the field at will against the Mustangs, led by the power and speed of running backs Nick Rios, who had two touchdown, and James Rosellon, who added another.
Rios and Rosellon ran behind the great blocking of center James Muessig and the rest of the offensive line of Luke Santaniello, Dean Aquilina, Liam Jenal, Frankie Leckler and tight ends Joe Chimenti and Brian McCleery.
Quarterback Peter Sluka, who scored two extra points on the ground, controlled the offense throughout the game.
The Chiefs’ 6-2 defense was stifling and intense all season long and was no different in the championship tilt, making gang tackles all over the field.
The defensive line of Ely Hahami, Charlie Villa, Luigi Kaloudis, Michael Nygaard, Luke Ruiz, John Jochym, Zachary Bohringer, Johnny Kessler, Zakria Zulfiqar and Jack McCormack kept the pressure on Massapequa’s offense the whole day.
Cornerbacks Lucas Goring and Nolan Langner, who had one interception, were fearless in tracking down the Mustangs while Linebackers John Viggiani and Nick Rios attacked the ball and finished off their opponents.
An injured Emmett O’Brien was on the sidelines rooting his team onto victory.
The 2014 edition of 9-year old Chiefs was coached by Tim O’Connell, Bobby Redmond, Tony Bencivenga, Charlie Santaniello and Sotiri Goring.
All the boys played and showed great sportsmanship.
