The Mark Twain quote, “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog” definitely embodies the Bethpage Peanut Blue Football team. This group never quits, even in the face of an opponent with superior size, speed, strength, and skill. Despite another tough loss, this time to Brentwood, Bethpage’s smallest Eagles gave an effort that would certainly have made both Eagles past and present very proud.
Peanut Blue won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball first. Though they were giving up height, size, and speed to Brentwood, the offensive line, comprised of Jack Lapertosa, William Lynn, Anthony Helfrich, Cameron Graziano, and AJ Perazzo scrapped valiantly with their massive counterparts. The Bethpage backfield, anchored by QB Ryan Tesler, running backs Anthony Guarasci, and Nick Morolla fought tooth and nail for yardage on every play, only to turn the ball over on downs.
Brentwood took possession, and used their size and speed to their advantage. Michael Gaudio, Michael Lacerenza, Matt Cusicanqui, and Tommy Lagan contained the Brentwood offense on their first two plays, forcing Brentwood back to the middle, where linebacker Max Dominick threw himself into the fray, dragging the opposing ball carriers to the ground. A broken tackle on fourth down proved too much for the Bethpage defense to overcome, and Brentwood scored on a lightning strike.
Though they were ready for battle, and refused to back down, the first half was not kind to the little Eagles. Brentwood continued to stifle the Bethpage offense, and their offense struck for two more touchdowns, closing out the half with a long run for a score.
At halftime, the coaching staff gathered the boys on the bench. Coach Mike Tesler channeled his inner Howie Vogts, delivering a speech that fired up the boys, the crowd in the stands, the parents working at the snack bar, the regulars at the deli, and just about everyone in Bethpage on Sunday.
Peanut Blue returned the field, determined to break through on Brentwood. Defensive coaches Tony Dominick, Bill Guarasci, and Tom Lagan made key halftime adjustments, and the Eagles stormed the Brentwood backfield, forcing a turnover on downs.
Just as the defense adjusted, coach John Lapertosa tinkered with the offense. Shifting Anthony Guarasci to quarterback, the Eagles went with their “Diesel” backfield. Jack Lapertosa dragged a swarm of Brentwood defenders with him for a nice gain. Coach John pulled out the “Lombardi Sweep” from the Green Bay Packers heyday, and Ryan Tesler ran the ball 59 yards to the Brentwood 1. Nick Morolla hit pay dirt two plays later, and the Eagles were on the board.
Although Brentwood answered with a score of their own on the next play, Bethpage refused to back down. Setting up his teammate with a score on the previous drive, Ryan Tesler, with a wall of blocks built by Lynn, Lapertosa, Helfrich, Graziano, and Gaudio ripped off a 60 yard run for another Eagles TD, diving over a defender to get in the end zone.
Though Bethpage continued to strike back, unfortunately, Brentwood continued as well. Lagan, Dominick, Perazzo , Cusicanqui and their mates stuffed the Brentwood ground attack, forcing them to take to the air. A desperation heave on their fourth down resulted in another touchdown.
Undaunted, and with time running out, Bethpage returned to the field, determined to close out the game in strong fashion. William Lynn, Tommy Lagan and Cameron Graziano hit the Brentwood defense with a few jabs, setting up the final play of the game. Coach John Lapertosa dialed up the sweep one more time. Taking the handoff from Tesler, Anthony Guarasci refused to be tackled. With a run that left most of the Brentwood defenders grabbing for air, he darted, cut, and weaved 60 yards to the end zone, giving the Bethpage faithful another reason to cheer.
Although their record fell to 0-3, Peanut Blue fought as hard as any Bethpage team that’s ever played on Howie Vogts Field. The coaches are extremely proud of their efforts, and are confident that their hard work will eventually pay off very soon.
