Three other attempts at a reception were scratched. Each time there was a cancellation, it was due to COVID, either with the venues not allowing the event or a massive local outbreak.

“We got to go away for our honeymoon and then coming back, it was just focusing on finishing up the season and we were in a really good spot and just make a hard run at it,” Dell’Isola said. “Just kind of knew that we had the reception coming up later in March and it worked out really well that we were able to tie up the loose ends with the season, go to the state championships and win and get invited to the dance here in California.

“So it kind of worked out where we’re having a really big celebration two years in the making and now getting to come out to California, and hopefully celebrate some more.”

A championship in the team’s first trip to Nationals would be the ultimate topper, considering the title game Monday is the same day as his 36th birthday.

In addition to all of the starts and stops with the wedding and reception, there was also sorrow. Larry Cinque, one of Dell’Isola’s cousins, died after battling COVID for about a month. His death came as Frank and Natalie were on their honeymoon. Cinque, 41, was a groomsman in their wedding.

“We all grew up together,” Dell’Isola said. “There were six grandchildren and I was the second-youngest, he was the second-oldest, but we were all pretty close in age. So we were really more like siblings. I was a groomsman at his wedding many years ago. Words really can't describe how devastating of a loss it was.”

Cinque is never far from Dell’Isola, who carries some of his cousin’s ashes around his neck. What Dell’Isola said he will miss most about Cinque is just being able to hang out, watch football and laugh.

This weekend is a chance to make some memories. Already, the Rebels have had a terrific postseason. In the New York state championships, they beat their rival Long Island Edge, 3-2, in overtime, and then knocked off a Cazanovia Park team that had allowed only five goals in the tournament by a 7-4 count. Cazanovia Park beat the Rebels in the state title game last year.

“A lot of the kids, it was an emotional roller coaster just getting that close last year and coming up short,” Dell’Isola said. “Knowing how that stings and knowing how it feels, they went on a mission to make sure that this year they can not only get back there, but try to be successful this time.

“Give them a lot of credit. We added some pieces to the team this year that made us better and we were able to get over the hump. They worked really hard for it. They banded together and they wanted it and they got it done. So I’m really proud of that.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.