WEEK 1 PANTHERS – DEMON KNIGHTS

2009 GRIDIRON SPRING CLASSIC

Week 1
LI PANTHERS -VS- DEMON KNIGHTS
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INTERVIEW- COACH TONY SPINA

The Bay Knights were started in 1982 by Jim Binckes, the reason that even as today the Bay Knights were the JB on the chest. The Bay Knights were founded as a way to raise funds for the Kings Bay Youth Football League. Every season the Bay Knights play a host of games versus legendary teams like NYPD, FDNY and this year the Bay Knights joined the Gridiron Elite a spring tourney featuring 7 other semi-pro teams from the area. Melisa Patterson from the Gridiron Elite was able to chat with the programs director Coach Tony Spina for a few seconds.

PUNISHERS & LIONS GOING IN

The Gridiron Elite Spring Classic not only promotes good football but what would the Spring be about with some good old fashion trash talk. Take a look as the Elite was able to catch up with the Nassau Punishers and the LI Lions.

RAIN DOESN’T STOP THE ELITE

The first week of the 2009 Gridiron Elite Spring Classic can only be labeled a huge success as not only were all of the footballs games well played but were attended by each teams die hard fans. This years Elite format is great Saturday night football at Kings Bay and Sunday morning football at Evander Childs HS. The only possible monkey wrench this week would have been the rain but the fans of our tournament teams came out in force to see Sundays first game featuring the NY Venom versus the Hudson Valley Cowboys and the second game featuring the NY Spartans versus the CT. Ravens.

NY VENOM -vs- HUDSON VALLEY COWBOYS

The first game watched the NY Venom square off with the Hudson Valley Cowboys. The game was hard hitting and exciting as both teams traded punches as they knocked the rust off there games during the 1st half of play. “Offense comes second in football, you can always coach playing to the football on Defense and bot teams were getting it done”, says Coach David Reid from the New York Spartans. The two teams played most of the game right in the middle of the field as the weather was a factor keeping the ball heavy and limiting a passing game. The 1st quarter passed and the score was still 0-0; the 2nd quarter, third and fourth also passed with the score still 0-0.

In Gridiron fashion regulation football isn’t enough of a value so lets line the two teams up for some overtime football. The Cowboys won the overtime toss and elected to put there Offense on the field first. The decision was unorthodox but when you factor in that neither team scored during regulation the call was bold. The Cowboys seemed at home during the overtime scoring quickly on a FB run with #37 right up the middle of the Venom defense. The Cowboys lined up and just like that they lead 8-0. The Venom coached by semi-pro great Coach George Davis were not intimated by the score and responded almost as quickly off the right side with a quick score of there own making the score 8-6 Hudson Valley but a smash mouth play right up the middle of the defense made the score 8-8 after the first overtime.

The defenses for both teams showed up during the second OT period as each defense forced turnovers and held each other out of the endzone. “The atmosphere was electric, both teams spent all types of energy getting to the OT and to find the strength to force turnovers in OT were amazed”, said a faithful fan. So lets line back up and after a second coin toss the stage was sent the NY Venom took the football and as they drove toward the goal line the Hudson Valley Cowboys intercepted the Venom pass and stuffed there chances to score during the 3rd OT. All the Cowboys needed to do now was score and score they did on another FB belly play to #37 off the left side for the game winning score. Hudson Valley 14-8 over the NY Venom.

CT RAVENS -vs- NEW YORK SPARTANS

The second game began with a few Spring Classic similarities, last year the Spartans and what was then the CT. Bearcats played 2 times during the 2008 Spring Classic and both games were hard hitting battles. So with the CT. Ravens being the 09 product of Todd Kennedy this years match up was going to be a great. The Ravens and Spartans game out the gate feeling each other out but good defense forced a early CT Ravens punt pinning the Spartans against there own goal line. On a 2nd down play the Spartans looked like they had some trouble getting the play in and with the clock running pitched the ball to the RB for a loss in the endzone securing a fairly quick lead for the Ravens 2-0. That bit of momentum seemed to power the Ravens as they quickly ran off 24 unanswered points on there way to a huge victory over the NY Spartans.

The Ravens scored several times behind the great feet of there QB #15 running the zone option with a great deal of pride and success. The Spartans were full of big plays but stumbled when they reached the redzone. “They played with great passion but couldn’t seem to make that 1 play that would help them get over the top”, said Coach Joey Pagan of the Middlesex Vikings. Turnovers didn’t help the Spartans either setting up a few easy looks for the CT. Ravens. The Spartans scored late off the right side on an outside run by #34 LA Augstin. The Ravens won these one big by a final score of 29 to 6. Stay tuned for additional coverage on this game.

Photo courtesy of the New York Spartans

*Please note the the staff of the Gridiron Elite would like to send our best wishes to Dwight Wilson a DB for the New York Spartans who was injured in a car accident in route to the game. Dwight is banged up and as we wait for additional information we will keep him in our prays. Dwight is recovering and we wish him a speedy recovery.*

GREAT FIRST NIGHT FOR THE ELITE

How does the semipro football world know when Spring has officially arrived, simple the whistles begin to blow at Kings Bay Field. This year the Gridiron Elite in conjunction with Kings Bay expanded the very successful Gridiron Elite Spring Classic to two sites with one being Kings Bay. Saturday night football in Brooklyn and Sunday football in the Bronx. So with the opening night in the books lets recap both games.

LI PANTHERS -VS- DEMON KNIGHTS

The Spring Classic opener lined up the LI Panthers and the Empire State Demon Knights in what could only be labled as a blood feud from the start. The Game began slowly as but teams traded punches. “The LI Panthers had several early chances to score but couldn’t punch it in”, says Melisa Patterson Guest Reporter for the Gridiron Elite. As the second quarter began the Demon Knights woke up from the winter hibernation and began an air assault on the Panthers with not 1 score but 3 in total during the quarter. On the other end of every big catch for the Demon Knights was #11, Divine Jackson. Stay tuned for a brief interview with Mr. Jackson the game 1 Player of the Week.

The LI Panthers were able to scratch across a few scores but the Demon Knights from the 2nd quarter forward had this game in control. Both teams members of the RAFL may not only see each other again during this tournament but they will surely lock horns in league play. Stay tuned for additional coverage on the Demon Knights 26 to 12 victory over the LI Panthers.

NJ SPARTANS -VS- BAY KNIGHTS

The second game watched the host program Kings Bay Knights take on the NJ Spartans. The game began quickly for the Knights completing several passes and eventually being face with a 4th and goal on the opening drive. Coach Tony Spina a seasoned veteran decided to line his offense up for a early TD but were denied by a stingy Spartans Defense. “The Spartans Defense played really good all game, the score won’t reflect there ability to simply tackle.”, says Coach Billy Badson a Gridiron Elite Board member. The Spartans were almost just as quickly force to punt which setup the 1st score making the game 8-0. The Spartans answered quickly with a big time pass of their own. #12 QB Khalid Shakir for the Spartans hooked up on a 65 yard TD pass to #83, this score eventually tied the game back up 8-8. The Knights focused were determined to get this going and turned to Brooklyn Seminole Standout QB #4 Gerald who took over the game with his feet. “The man is elusive and is difficult to bring down”, says Earl Thomas a member of the New York Bandits. #4 went on to run for 81 yards on 9 carries and hooked up with #18 WR on a huge 30 Yard TD strike. Final score of this game was Spartans 8 – Bay Knights 20. Congrats to #4 Gerald Wilson on Player of the Game honors.

Please stay tuned for additional coverage of the games as the Gridiron Elite strives at bringing not on the scores from the game but into the game with unparalleled access.

NJ Revolution Indoor Football

The Grid Iron Elite has several association both on the football and off. With strong ties within the semi-pro community the Elite always look forward to working with all types of organizations in an attempt to help the community and our fans. The Elite will always strive to bring the best possible product to a field near you and it with great pride that we announce the Grid Iron Elite will be working with Champion Sports in the near future, take a look at the coverage on some of the Grid Iron Elite Sites.

From NYSPARTANS.ORG

The New Jersey Revolution is a charter member of the Continental Indoor Football League a professional indoor football league. The Spartans have spent most of the offseason neworking with many minor league, college, high school, and youth programs. Today they announce that they will be working with only professional indoor football team in the areas. The Revolution is a team is based in Morristown New Jersey who are now in their fourth year. Details of the relationship will be announced soon, but expect to see Spartan and Spartan fan alike to be donning red white and blue at Revs games. Will we see a current or past Spartan player on the Revs… well the chances just got a lot better. For more information on the Revolution visit www.njrevs.com

From NYBANDITS.ORG

The Grid Iron Elite and Champion Sports and Entertainment are teaming up in what could be a great relationship. The NJ Revolution the only Professional Indoor Team in the area is exploring the idea of hosting a great event where the NJ Revolution would host the NY Bandits in an exhibition indoor game on April 30th, 2009.” There are still a few details that need to be worked out but we hope this is the beginning of a great relationship. The Chance to do business with Champion Sports can only mean better things will come do the road”, says Coach Billy Badson. The Revolution play a roster comprised of local talent that most Bandits fans may already be familiar with in Rashid Darrisaw and Raymond Simmons, several current Bandits have held membership with the Revolution in the past in Anthony Reece and Steph Martin. “It should be a fun night, looking forward to seeing the Grid Iron Elite prove that there is some pro in semi-pro football”, says Coach Patterson. Stay tuned for more information.

2009 PRE-SEASON RANKINGS

Welcome to the 1st Edition of the Grid Iron Elite Rankings. Our mission during the season will be to provide weekly rankings on all of the Northeast Teams. The Rankings will be tough as the Northeast is a very competitive area but enjoy.

2009 PRE-SEASON SUMMER & FALL RANKINGS

RANK	TEAM		LEG REC	OVERALL	PF	PA	DIFF
# 1	Albany Mallers		8–2	16–3	661	288	373
# 2	Va Crusaders		10–0	14–0	411	87	324
# 3	Middleboro Cobras		10–0	12–0	321	146	175
# 4	CP Piranha		10–0	12–1	511	103	408
# 5	BK Mariners		7–3	12–5	279	153	126
# 6	Monroe Sting		10–0	13–1	602	147	455
# 7	Ct Giants		8–2	14–4	449	195	254
# 8	NY Bandits		9–1	13-1	438	130	308
# 9	PW Monarchs		9–1	16–4	425	199	226
# 10	Vermont Ice Storm		10–0	15–1	549	159	390
# 11	Ocean Vipers		10–0	11–1	177	92	85
# 12	Conshohoc Steelers		8–2	12–2	314	134	180
# 13	Quebec Titans		9–1	11–1	304	144	160
# 14	NW Giants		10–0	12–1	272	70	202
# 15	Balt Warriors		8–2	11–3	386	129	257
# 16	Frankford Chiefs		8–1–1	11-2–1	243	95	148
# 17	NY Predators		10–0	12–1	331	161	170
# 18	DC Explosion		8–2	12–4	284	141	143
# 19	Clay Buccaneers		10–0	12–1	345	121	124
# 20	BK Seminoles		9–1	14–2	360	119	241
# 21	NE Knights		8–1–1	9–2–1	242	71	171
# 22	NY Rebels		9–1	11–3	308	104	204
# 23	Bos Bandits		8–2	9–3	209	123	106
# 24	Lehigh Steelers		9–1	10–2	261	180	81
# 25	Syr Shock		7–3	10–4	381	220	161

BNEFF MEANS BUSINESS

The BNEFF has grown in leaps and bounds during the last two seasons and this 2009 season is no different as the BNEFF adds a staggering 11 teams. The list is as follows:

1. Hudson Valley Cowboys
2. New England Knights
3. Washington Heights Outlaws
4. New Jersey Hawks
5. South Jersey Vikings
6. New York Raiders
7. Brooklyn Storm
8. Levittown Warriors
9. Phila. Pride
10. East Penn Sting
11. New jersey Wolverines

The list is impressive and only time will tell who makes the cut. When you add all the new teams to the list of strong programs already on board the BNEFF MEANS BUSINESS.

For more information visit www.BNEFF.COM