The J. Taylor Finley Middle School seventh grade football team came within one victory of notching an undefeated season. The Falcons finished with a 5-1 mark and a set of memories that will last a lifetime for players and coaches.
Thomas Girimonti, Daniel McNulty, Roberto Rodriquez and Christian St. John served as the team captains. Kevin Thorbourne and Julian Watts coached Finley-7.
The Falcons won their first five games, toppling West Hollow-7 twice, 26-0 and 26-6 and turning back Dawnwood-7 (26-0), Candlewood-7 (26-6) and Selden-7 (33-6). A 32-6 loss to Commack-7 was the only blemish this fall.
Finley-7 football head coach Kevin Thorbourne.
“We had a lot of injuries and as each person went down, one of their teammates stepped ito a new position and made it work,” Thorbourne said.
The team’s standouts included Girimonti, who was Finley-7’s quarterback. Za’Khie Ramos shined at running back and wide receiver. Kei shan Miller St. John’s were exceptional in the offensive backfield.
“It’s too early to predict, but Thomas Girimonti is definitely going to be a good quarterback in our system,” Thorbourne said.
Ramos excelled at several positions. “He could have played with the eighth graders,” Thorbourne said. “He’s an excellent athlete.”
Miller also sparkled. “He has very advanced athletic skills,” Thorbourne said.
The roster also included Gabriel Abreu, Francisco Alfaro-Ramirez, Fredy Alvarez-Lawrence, Carmine Carusone, Max Casiano, Jayson Colato, Jerimiah Curtis, Theodore Dannhauser, Jayden Davis, Jasper Elgart, Patrick Knieriem, Ramon Lyons, Anthony Molina-Gomez, Nicholas Morris, Navado Petro-Young, Jaxhiel Rodriquez, Alexis Rodriquez, Damien Santos, Jahmien Sexton, Antonio Turcio-Enamorado, Jose Villatoro and Joseph Zink.
Finley-7’s entire 28 man roster is expected to advance and play next fall for the Finley-8 football team