Raiders lose in playoffs, but team still winners

The 10-year olds’ team of the East Rockaway Raiders upset the top seed in the B division and went on to play in the NCYFL 10B championship last Sunday morning at Mitchel Field in Uniondale. Ultimately, they lost to Garden City in a tight 6-0 finish.

  They day started with a send-off rally at the Pathmark parking lot on Atlantic Avenue prior to departure for the game.

  “The community and these kids have been through a lot,” said Craig Hickam, director of the East Rockaway Raiders youth football program, before the game. “In my eyes they have already won regardless of the outcome …”

Afterward, Hickam said he is “extremely proud” of the kids who prepared under difficult conditions and still gave it everything they had. “We want to thank the entire East Rockaway Raider family, who came out in full force to support our team. The crowd was electric and it was nice to see familiar faces from the other teams supporting the program. 

“We definitely want to thank the coaches as well: head coach Brian Rogers and assistants Bill Hyland, Pete Sinram, Chris Lazzazaro, and Pat O’Connor. “We would like to thank the village of Lynbrook and Greis Park for stepping up and providing a place for us to practice for the past two weeks due to the loss of Bay Park.”

  For updates on 2013 registration and the 2012 awards banquet, visit www.eastrockawayraiders.org.