Wantagh Warriors play like the pros

The Wantagh Warrior Football Club’s Peanut Black team gathered at the high school before heading to MetLife Stadium on Sept. 28.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

Players arrived at the stadium, ready to play on a professional field.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

The Warriors played for eight minutes during halftime of the Jets-Lions game.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

The Warriors played for eight minutes during halftime of the Jets-Lions game.

Andrew Hackmack/Herald

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Wantagh youth football players got to experience a few minutes of fame, when they stepped onto the field at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 28.

During halftime of the Jets game against the Lions, the Wantagh Warrior Football Club’s Peanut Black team got to play for eight minutes against a team from East Islip. The Warriors got three touchdowns; their opponents scored two.

Joe Calise, an assistant coach of the team, has been a season ticket holder for the Jets for several years and said he noticed that youth teams have played during halftime a few times each year. He said he was finally able to track down the right person and make it happen for his boys, who are 7 and 8 years old.

The 17 boys on the team took the field, and it is an opportunity Calise said they will never forget. “It was a great experience,” he said. “Some of the boys said they never wanted the day to end.”

The players traveled to the stadium in their full gear. They spent the first quarter watching the game from under a tent, with food provided by the Jets, then prepared for their appearance. After halftime, they went to their seats. Calise said his players kept their Wantagh jerseys on throughout the day.

He added that the day was a good bonding experience for the team, and should build a level of camaraderie that will help the Warriors as they move into the second half of their season.

“It was just a very positive experience,” he said. “We really thank the Jets for it.”