Chiefs win homecoming game, QB injured
The Massapequa Chiefs varsity football team has a history of performing very well on
homecoming, as they have won the homecoming game each of the last 4 years— and this year was no different.
Coming off a 61-0 homecoming win against Valley Stream last year, the Chiefs came in on Saturday with their heads held high for this year’s match-up against Uniondale. Both teams seemed strong, with Uniondale recently victorious against Port Washington 41-8, while Massapequa defeated Baldwin 27-8 the previous week.
Both teams played well in the first half, but the game was dominated by defense up until that point, as both teams reached each other’s red zones numerous times. Massapequa senior quarterback Brad Baldinger was injured on a tackle in the second quarter and was taken off the field in an ambulance. Later the word spread that he had seriously injured his arm. Though his condition and status were serious, his injury paved the way for junior backup quarterback Anthony Buckshaw to shine.
“My first thought was that I hoped Brad was okay… and that it was my time to step in and lead the team to a win,” Buckshaw said.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brad and his family,” Mr. Ken Wing said, a math teacher and dean at Ames. Last season, Baldinger suffered an injury last year that ruptured his spleen and kept him out the rest of the season. Massapequa’s Defense held steady and didn’t appear shaken up by Baldinger’s injury as the score going into halftime remained 0-0.
In the second half of the game, the Chiefs made this year’s homecoming unforgettable. Thanks to numerous turnovers by Uniondale, the Chiefs spread the game wide open as they scored 28 points in the 3rd quarter alone. Senior Sal Americo opened the scoring with a touchdown run and completed his day with 127 rushing yards.
“Our success starts with the offensive line and a good work week of practice with everyone doing their assignment on the field. That’s what makes us great and the team that we are,” Americo said, who currently leads the team with 396 rushing yards.
Junior Anthony Buckshaw, who came in the game as quarterback to relieve Baldinger, added a 5 yard and and 10 yard run to make it 21-0. Senior linebacker Frank Callan added a pick 6 to make it 28-0. Massapequa’s stellar defense also provided interceptions by junior Chris Wasson and seniors Tommy Macri, Mikey Comis, and Matt Caminiti. Sal Americo added another touchdown in the fourth quarter to complete Massapequa’s route of Uniondale with a final score of 35-0.
“I think the defense played amazing throughout the whole game and although the offense had a slow start they picked it up in the second half and responded well to the adversity of Brad going down,” Chris Bacotti said, a senior at MHS and one of the team’s four captains.
“It was very impressive that there were so many interceptions in such a short period of time. Their ability to manufacture turnovers is very impressive,” senior and Class of 2016 publicity coordinator Mark Fedoronko said. “These next two weeks will definitely be a test for what is to come in the playoffs.”
Unlike last year, when the stands were practically empty during Massapequa’s 61-0 homecoming onslaught of Valley Stream, this year the stands were filled to their capacity with members of Chief Nation from all grades.
“I think we really brought it today as there was a lot of noise… it’s only going to get better the next two weeks against Farmingdale and Oceanside,” senior Frank Rizzo said.
Class of 2016 Homecoming King and Senior Linebacker Christian Buonamassa was impressed by the fan turnout. “I definitely think they add some flare to the atmosphere and are positive support for us while we’re out there, they’re a unique crowd because they’re dedicated and we really appreciate that,” Buonamassa said.
Many alumni were also in attendance as they ranged from former members of the Marching Band to former members of the football team, and Assemblyman Joseph Saladino even made an appearance at the game.
Fans also got to enjoy this year’s halftime entertainment which featured the Massapequa Marching Chiefs with their field show called “Disney’s Magical Adventures,” a medley of Disney music including “Trashin’ the Camp” from Tarzan and “Fantasmic” from the Disney Nighttime Show in Orlando, Florida. Also performing were the Chiefettes and the Varsity Cheerleaders accompanied by the JV team. The Cheerleaders, who won a national championship in 2014, continue to amaze the crowd with a physically demanding routine.
The Chiefs have a tough schedule the rest of the way as they will play undefeated Farmingdale on October 24 and undefeated Oceanside the week after, both games on the opposing team’s turf. Though both of these games are away, it is expected that Chief Nation will maintain the strong showing that they presented this week.
“The defense has to keep playing like they have the past two weeks and the offense needs to put up points early and often. The team overall just has to play to what we are capable of,” Bacotti said of the team’s strategy for the forthcoming games. The Chiefs’ potential first playoff game will be on November 7 at the higher seeded school’s field.
