High School Schedules Released- Catch GIE Alums in the Area

Most young men that have experience playing football look back at their high school football career as their glory days.  Representing not only their team but the colors of their school and community as well.  There are many Gridiron Elite members that make an impact at local high schools whether it be former youth players who now star on the team, to adult players whom give their time and efforts in coaching the leaders of tommorrow. 

We first would like to applaud the efforts of those that allow the young men in the area to live out their dreams by teaching them the craft.  The fall is loaded with great action on the scholastic scene.  Former New York Bandit and Spartan player Harry Irizarry is on the Dewitt Clinton Coaching Staff and will be entering his 4th year with the program in a coaching capacity. 

The Schedule for Clinton for 2010

9/11/2010 12:00 PM Boys and Girls High

9/19/2010 12:00 PM Port Richmond

 9/25/2010 12:00 PM Brooklyn Technical

10/2/2010 12:00 PM Fort Hamilton

10/10/2010 11:00 AM Flushing

10/16/2010 12:00 PM Abraham Lincoln High School

10/23/2010 12:00 PM John F. Kennedy

10/30/2010 12:00 PM Midwood

11/7/2010 12:00 PM Herbert H. Lehman

Full PSAL Schedules can be found on www.psal.org

New York Bandit Defensive back Steph Martin also has ties to the community in high school level coaching.  Martin is a coach at Mount Vernon High School in Westchester County.  Here is their 2010 schedule.

 http://www.highschoolsports.net/defaultcal.cfm?ct=m&schoolid=NY105522444&spt=4 

Good luck to alll the teams that are chasing championship dreams in 2010.

On The Schedule This Week

Youth Games
Bronx Rebels mini game Sunday @ FSFL Kickoff Classic
No other games schduled

High School
No games scheduled

Adult
Saturday
EMPIRE STATE DEMON KNIGHTS vs Long Island Hurricanes
11 Am @ Gridiron Elite Stadium

NEW YORK BANDITS vs New York City Falcons
1PM @ Gridiron Elite Stadium

NASSAU PUNISHERS vs Long Island Lions
5 PM @ Gridiron Elite Stadium

BROOKLYN BLUE DEVILS vs New Jersey Buccaneers
tba

Sunday
NEW YORK SPARTANS vs BROOKLYN BULLDAWGS
10 AM @ Gridiron Elite Stadium

LONG ISLAND PANTHERS vs Long Island Tribe
1PM @ Gridiron Elite Stadium

FAIRFIELD COUNTY RAVENS vs cdfl
6 PM @ Torne Valley Recreation Center

Clarkshots Football Game Photos

A word from local game photographer Clarkshots with info on how to purchase photos of game action:
Good Afternoon football community.

Before I begin I apologize to some of you who’s email has been caught in my spam. I upgraded my protection and many of you haven’t recieved responses on a timely basis so accept my apology as I’ll return them promptly.

1) I thank many of you for informing me about the upcoming season and I’m aware of the opening kickoffs of the FSFL and BNEFF. I’ll be going to multi-league games every weekend from the start to the finish. I already have a schedule in place (it’s not in stone) but it gives me a chance to bring you guys good representation between all the leagues. I’ll try to have all games posted by the following Wednesday but bare with me because I’m shooting Sat & Sun games throughout the season and I have non photography job M-F.

2) I’ll blast most of my information via forums and facebook (like now for example) so if you like you can become a fan ( like) of clarkshots.com on facebook and get updates or check here to see when photos have been posted. If you or team have facebook page I’ll become a fan (like) and post on it’s wall.

3) Like any law of averages some teams I don’t get a chance to see – for example there were teams I didn’t see during GridIron Elite Tourney- Not that I don’t want to see you it happens because of scheduling or unforseen circumstance and of course the other side is it seems I see a team or teams more than most. Go figure?

4) Photos are for YOU take advantage as per many of YOUR request I put an electronic download for websites, facebook, cell phones etc. These are for You search www.clarkshots.com and find your team and year and take ownership. The service is here!

Finally Good Luck to YOU – see you in the championship game-
Peace
-clarkshots-

Heat Advisory For All Players, Coaches and Fans

Players Coaches and Fans alike please be advised of the following. With the extreme heat in the New York area please take proper precautions before playing or attending a game.
The following is a list of precautions people can take to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Drink plenty of fluids but avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or large amounts of sugar.

Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day; then gradually build up tolerance for warmer conditions.

Stay indoors in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible

If air conditioning is not available, open windows on opposite sides of rooms for cross ventilation, and use fans to cool rooms. If temperature and humidity are extremely high, point fans out windows.

Take frequent breaks when working outdoors.

Eat more frequently but make sure meals are well balanced and light.

At first signs of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps), move to a cooler location, rest for a few minutes and slowly drink a cool liquid. Seek medical attention immediately if conditions do not improve.

Ask a physician or pharmacist about the effects of sun and heat exposure if taking prescription medications such as diuretics, antihistamines or mood-altering or antispasmodic drugs.

Check frequently on ill or elderly friends, relatives and neighbors who may need help.

Avoid bundling babies in heavy blankets or dressing them in heavy clothing.

Admission / Ticket Information For Spring Classic

The Spring Classic is a very successful revenue generating event for various non-profit organizations.  Tickets for the games are $7.00 as a one time entry fee for the day for adults while children 13 and under are free of charge.  The fees collected at the sites are donated to the following organizations.

Kings Bay Brooklyn – 2370 Coyle Street Brooklyn – Kings Bay Youth Football

Directions – Take the Van Wyck to the Belt Parkway – Belt Parkway to exit 9 (Knapp Street) Make right on Coyle.  Field is 3 Blocks up on the right.

Bronx - Gridiron Elite Stadium @Evander Campus - 800 East Gun Hill Road Bronx NY-

 Bronx Rebels Youth Football

Directions – Bronx River Parkway to Gun Hill Road Exit.  (From Southbound make left , Northbound make right) on Gun Hill Road.  Continue past the train underpass, field is 3 blocks past on the right hand side.

Brooklyn – Tilden HIgh School – 5800 Tilden Ave Brooklyn NY – Tilden HS football

Directions -  Jackie Robinson Pkwy – left on Pennsylvania Ave make a right on Linden continue for a mile and a half and make left on Church.  Continue and make right on Ralph.  Then make 2nd right on Tilden

All Star Game Photos By Frank Bettis

Frank Bettis is the official photographer of Gridiron Elite Football. His photos are available for purchase at games.  Frank will be covering the Gridiron Elite Spring Classic at all sites during the tournament with albums from previous games on hand.

Gridiron Spring Classic Accepting Applications

The time is now to join the movement, the Spring Classic is accepting applications for the 3rd year of the tournament.  We are ooking for quality oranizations that are well organized and progressive in their operations.  If interested fill out the following application and one of our staff members will get in touch with you as soon as possible.  Meeting dates and times will be available shortly.

Gridiron Elite Board Appoints Leadership For Spartans

 

 

One of the goals of the Gridiron Elite was to give young men access to resources to become successful.  The New York Spartans were established as a program that could avoid common mistakes of young teams in the hopes that it would be as successful in the long run as their Gridiron Elite brothers.  Since the establishment of the program, the Spartans have been owned and operated by the Gridiron Elite board of directors.  The wealth of knowledge which included decades of eperience in Minor League Football allowed the Spartans to achieve such early success.  Today, the Gridiron Elite announced that they have promoted Head Coach David Patterson to the Executive Head of Operations.  Patterson was introduced to the Minor League Football community five years ago as a defensive assistant for the New York Bandits. 

 

When the Gridiron Elite concept was developed along with the Spartans, Patterson was named head coach for the inaugural 2008 campaign.  Since then he has worked closely with the Gridiron Elite board in running the Spartan program.       The front office of the Spartans will be filled out before the start of the Gridiron Elite Classic, with several people being interviewed to assume the role of General Manager. In every matter from this point forward David Patterson has complete control of the team and as owner of the New York Spartans. Ray Baxter will assume the temporary role of General Manager until a new person is named.  Gridiron Elite board director William Badson said “Dave has been working hard to get the Spartan program in a position to do a lot of good for the players and community.  Congratulations to hm as it is a well deserved appointment and I am sure he will continue to direct the Spartans in the right direction.”   

 With his hands full wth 2010 coming around the corner Patterson was able to spend a brief moment to speak with the Gridiron Elite staff.  “With the short time that I have been involved on this level I have seen many teams come and go.  For the young and especially the start up teams, I appreciate the guidance and resources that the Gridiron Elite provides that ensured that the Spartans would be successful.  We will continue to wave the banner of the elite.  Bill Badson has been and continues to be a great mentor and great friend of mine who really makes this game fun to be associated with.  Tito Perez who has taught me about the craft of coaching, and how the attention to detail seperates the coaching as a hobby from a profession.”   Although the Spartans will no longer be operated by the Gridiron Elite, they will continue in their partnership as an associate and charter member of the Gridiron Elite.  Their role will be similar to other Gridiron Elite teams like the New York Bandits, Empire State Demon Knights, Long Island Panthers and Nassau Punishers.

DEMON KNIGHTS Crowned Kings of Winter Classic!!!

The Gridiron Elite have now held three championship games for tournaments and each of them have been great games to see.  Each of them were covered by the Gridiron Elite staff, bringing pictures and video (coming soon) to the fans of semi-pro football.  And each of them have had the Empire State Demon Knights playing for the trophy.  The third time was indeed the charm as the Demon Knights defeated the Long Island Panthers in a true winter classic, 20-14 in triple overtime today at Granny Road field in Suffolk County.

It was a seesaw game that turned back and forth like the snowflakes in the stiff wind of old man winter.  The Demon Knights broke out the gates ith the 14 points which came by a solid performance by their quarterback #3.  Hitting multiple recievers in the first half including two touchdown passes, it looked like this game may be a run away.  The Demon Knights took advantage of poor punting and the inability of the Panther offense to score before the half to take the commanding lead.  Then the snow fell along with the lead as the Demon Knights were on the Panther 1 yard line in what was going to be the knockout blow.  But they went to a wildcat offense and the replacement quarterback #2 fumbled and just like that the Panthers were given life.  The Panthers marched down the field with a tough running attack that chewed up yards, and when #33 ran in  touchdown from 10 yards out the score was now 14-6.  On the ensuing kickoff the kicker squibbed the ball to the front line of the Demon Knights, #2 picked up the ball and headed for a clearing but was stripped and fumbled the ball back to the Panthers.  Again the Panthers drove deep into Demon Knight territory but could not punch in a score.  But after exchanging turnovers late in the quarter the Demon Knights found themselves on their own goalline facing forth down.  The Demon Knight kicker was able to get the punt away but the Panthers were set up inside the 30 yard line.  The Panthers then reestablished  their running game and drove into the Demon Knight red zone.  They converted a pass from #16 to #1 and that set the score at 14-12.  After a Demon Knight timeout, regulation came down to the two point conversion.  A masterfully executed misdirection to Panther player of the game #47 tied the game at 14.  Panther player #47 was all over the field on defense and really stepped up his game on this day. 

Overtime started with an inch and half of snow firmly planted on the field.  The Gridiron Elite tournaments, which use college style overtime (shootout format) set up the wild finish as the mercury dipped below freezing.  The Panthers intercepted the Demon Knights first play in ot, and the favored was returned which took us into a second overtime.  The Panthers held the Demon Knights in the first possession of the second overtime and then drove the ball to the 1 yard line.  On second, third and fourth down, with the game in their hands and just inches away from a championship, the Demon Knight defense held and denied the Panthers the victory.  The third overtime began and the Panthers were unable to score and turned the ball over to the Demon Knights.  Then, after a few run plays that produced little yardage,  on third down Burney (quarterback #3 from the Knights) connected on a pass over the middle to #2 who made a fantastic catch at the 2 yard line fumbled the ball into the air, and in what must have seemed like a lifetime, #24 from the Demon Knights jumped into the air and came down with the ball and as he crossed the goalline the Demon Knights had won the inaugural Gridiron Elite Winter Classic.  Congrats to Shawn and the rest of the Demon Knights on their victory, and a job well done to the Long Island Panthers who battled to the end.  A great game to end the 2009 season in memorabe fashion.  Stay tuned for complete video coverage of the game including highlights and interviews.  Highlights From Winter Classic

DO OR DIE SATURDAY SEMIS

On a Saturday ”knight” in Brooklyn the Gridiron Elite Classic kicked off its playoffs in impressive style with two games that were packed with action.  The first round of playoffs mirrored the excitement of the regular season as the final four featured multiple leagues and areas being represented.  First up was the Connectcut Ravens and Empire State Demon Knights.  The Demon Knights came in as the favorite to make a return trip to the Championship. 

The evening started off with the Knights jumping out to an early lead.  The Long Islanders put up 19 points with their high powered and balanced offense and the visiting Ravens found themselves on the ropes.  If you think that action ended here it was actually only the beginning.  The Raven struck back as qurterback #10 went to the air and fired a bomb to bring the Ravens within 2 scores.  Then trading 60 yard passes the Demon Knights and Ravens both put up points with the vertical passing game.  The Ravens appeared to be climbing back into the game when #21 defensive back intercepted a Raven illadvised pass and raced down the home sideline to paydirect sealing the fate off coming up hort of the big game for the crew from the Constitution State, and setting up a date for redemption for the Demon Knights.  

Demon Knights 33 – Ravens 26 

Underdogs by everyones account, but champions by pedigree.  The Spartans did tonight what they have been doing in their very short history, winning when it matters.  The newest chapter in Spartan lore took place in Brooklyn against the 5-0 Bay Knights.  A team that not only had not seen defeat, but hadn’t even been challenged and an overwhelming favorite to take the Championship of the Gridiron Elite Classic.

The first half was very different from the first time that these two teams met.  After Bay Knight quarterback #4 scrambled around across the field he heaved a prayer up that was caught for a score.  Bay Knights 7 Spartans 0.  This is where the game could have gotten away from the Crimson.  “We caught a bad break on the jump ball and with the holding going on up front there wan’t much we could do.  We just sucked it up and worked to get it back.” said Coach Patterson after the game.  Indeed the partans would again work their way back from a deficit when Dave Hom connected with Rashid Darrisaw on a 65 yard touchdown pass, The conversion was stopped and the score remained 7-6. 

As the teams battled back and forth for field position through the fourth quarter, the defense locked the potent Bay Knight spread attack down, not surrendering a second half point for the second time against the Bay Knights and for the fourth time in the last five games.  Solid performances were put in by the front four, with Stefon Luckey back from injury, Skyler Hayes, Ed Mantell and Louis Sabeuteur providing pressure that the Bay Knights had not dealt with this spring.  Pete Morerva sacked MVP candidate Gerald Wilson 3 times, and cornerback Cody Green came up with a interception that set up the thrilling final drive.  Dave Hom found Elliot Swint for a huge first down deep in enemy territory.  Then Hom found Sheldon Davis over the middle to paydirt and all of a sudden the boys from Brooklyn found themselves trailin for the first time in the Classic.  A last gasp drive resulted in Rashid Darrisaw intercepting a pass to clinch the win and a spot in the Championship game.  A third place finish last year, 2nd in the BNEFF last fall,  ?  Whats next for season 3?  Coach Patterson on the win, “The guys came ready to play, they knew that nobody thought they could win, but hey your never an underdog if you knew you could win from the beginning”.  The Championship is a rematch between the Spartans and the Empire State Demon Knights.  Last week the Spartans came back in thriling fashion after being down 14-0 to upend the Knights 22-14.

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