Disciplined Devils squeak by New Utrecht

When Flushing started its game Saturday against New Utrecht, it was a shell of its usual self.
Cornerback Talbor Campbell, middle linebacker Nate Elder Salomon, quarterbacks Jordan Beranger and Deon Frazier and integral defensive players Jhaleel Mozie and Dave Brown were all suspended for at least the first quarter of the crucial game.
The six players arrived to practice Friday an hour and 20 minutes late and coach Jim DeSantis put his foot down.
“If I don’t nip that in the bud, then the JV thinks they can do whatever they want and the other guys do, too,” DeSantis said.
The coach said he thought about sitting them all for the entire game, but feared getting pummeled by a New Utrecht team that beat Tottenville last week. Campbell had to sit for the entire game due to previous infractions, Salomon missed a half and the other four were out the entire first quarter.
Despite being undermanned early, Flushing held strong and came away with a 7-6 win at Flushing Memorial Field. The Red Devils (4-1) have gotten off to a tremendous start just one year removed from being a Level 3 team and two years after being a 1.
“One of the things I always say is, the coaches are going to be here hopefully for the next 10, 15 years,” DeSantis said. “I always tell them we’re the program. We’re not going to let the tail wag the dog. What we say goes and that’s the way it’s going to be.”
The coach said his team was emotional after the victory. Not because beating New Utrecht (4-1) was particularly important to the season's success, but it showed resolve consdiering Flushing was able to do it missing six key players at certain junctures.
“The lesson they learned today is big,” DeSantis said.

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