The Chiefs showed no mercy at Massapequa’s homecoming game against the Valley Stream Central Eagles on Saturday, September 20.  Not once did the Eagles ever make it near the red zone during their offensive drives.

The Chiefs started off strong, with their first play of the game being a touchdown pass from senior Joe Butterworth to senior Paul Dilena. That would set the stage for the rest of the game to come.

The Eagles’ sloppy offensive drives made it easy for the defense to force multiple punts and stop the Eagles within four downs. The Eagles had many errors, including hikes over the quarterback’s head, missed screen passes, and blown coverage at the line leading to many sacks. The Chiefs scored nearly half of their points in the first quarter with a score of 27 – 0.

The second quarter was no different than the first quarter. The Eagles’ defense could not handle the offensive pressure of the Chiefs. Seniors Steve Koester and Nick Yevoli dragged the defense with them as they marched up the field with ease. While the Chiefs only scored one touchdown, the Eagles were unable to advance up the field yet again.
By the fourth quarter, the game got so far out of hand that the time of the game was taken off the scoreboard and running time was kept on the field. The Chiefs would win this one 61-0.

Team captain senior Dominic Sofia noted how a game like this helps the team improve their overall performance.

“The first thing we are going to do is watch the tape and pick up on or mistakes, fix them, then try to see what we excelled at and build on it,” Sofia said. “We also got some valuable experience for our younger players that could help us later on in the season.”

However, not many fans of Chief Nation, the high school students who attend the game and cheer on their fellow classmates, stayed to witness the entire game.  There were a few spirited chants in the first quarter, but this fervor died down as it was made clear that the Chiefs would dominate the game.  By the end of the first quarter, nearly a third of the fans left, disinterested in the lack of competitiveness as the blowout unfolded before them. By the middle of the second quarter, the fans (at least those who were left) sat down.

After the halftime entertainment, featuring the Marching Chiefs, Chiefettes, and cheerleaders, more than half of the remaining Massapequa fans left their seats. One whole side of the bleachers was completely empty, as fans chose to leave rather than show their support during the blowout of a game.

“I left halfway through the game because Massapequa was winning by a lot and I felt it was unnecessary to stay,” senior Frank Slator said.

Many students voiced their complaints about the lack of passion at Massapequa’s homecoming game, especially seniors, being that it would the last homecoming game they might possibly ever see.

“This is the weakest crowd I’ve ever seen for homecoming,” senior Justin Frascati said.  “The team showed up. Apparently Chief Nation did not.”

“As much as we love Chief Nation and need their support, with or without them, the train has to keep rolling,” Sofia said. “It did and we got the win.”

The Chiefs look to take this offensive momentum on the road against Freeport next Saturday at 2:00pm.