Defense Rules in Week 3 of Winter Classic

The field was soaked, the mud was plentiful but the scores for week 3 were not just the result of ineffective offense.  Defense ruled this day, as all four defensive units were responsible for putting up points.  In the second half of the Winter Classic doubleheader in Long Island today, defense scored all the points that were  put on the scoreboard.  Here is a brief recap of todays doubleheader with more coverage including highlights from the Game of the Week.

Panthers  6                                                                          Demon Knights 6

Gamblers 14                                                                      Steelers                2

CT Gamblers make their classic debut.  On a sloppy field the Panthers are unable to get points on the board offensively.  Gamblers take a blocked field goal and return it for a touchdown which would provide the difference in this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Demon Knights have played ALOT of football this year.  Moving into their third season of 2009, the Demon Knights are again feeling the Gridiron Elite love, starting off the Winter Classic the same as they did in the spring, with two big wins.  This time the victim was the Westchester Steelers, whose offense was stiffled all day long.   This was a viscious, hard hitting affair out on the island.

 

The Demon Knight defense dealt the first blow in the 2nd quarter, #2 returning a interception 25 yards for a touchdown.  Not only did the Demon Knight defense score all of their points, they were all over the Steelers quarterback all day recording sack after sack and terrorizing the old and whites backfield.  The critical point in this one was what appeared to be a costly turnover by the Demon Knights put the Steelers at first and goal at the 2 yard line.The Demon Knights dug in and stopped the Steelers four consecutive times on the goaline and sealed the victory by the final of 6-2. 

 

The Future is Now

The Gridiron Elite is moving towards the final stages of planning for the 2010 season.  With 2009 almost in the books, we wanted to give the fans a preview of what Gridiron Elite football has to offer in the upcoming year.   Events that are on tap for next year include things for fans and players of all ages.  Stay tuned to Gridironelite.org for full coverage of the events that are starting to take shape. 

In 2009 the Elite produced another successful Spring Classic, added the Nassau Punishers to the membership, and started the Winter Classic Tournament and the 7 on 7 High School Player Development competition.  Besides the success of all affilate members both on and off the gridiron, the future is definately here.  Already announced in 2010
1: Semipro Allstar Classic
2: Gridiron Elite Spring Classic
3: Gridiron Elite’s 7 on 7 Spring Youth Flag Tourney
4: Gridiron Elite’s 7 on 7 Fall Youth Flag Tourney
5: Gridiron Elite Winter Classic

Football For All at a field near you. For more information on any Gridiron Elite Product please email admin@gridironelite.org

Gridiron Elite Announces The Ultimate All-Star Experience

As promised the Gridiron Elite will help organize what we would like to call the Gridiron All-Star Classic. Over the next couple of weeks we will hold a series of conference calls and email discussions to make sure we help create an event that all players, owners, leagues and fans alike will enjoy. We are currently speaking with several people interested in seeing this game become a huge event and will have additional information in a few short days. The Gridiron Elite along with its sponsors and supporters will open this event to as many teams as possible from all and any of the East Coast Semi-Pro Leagues.

To provide a snapshot into the event, much like the MLB All-Star Selection process most voting will be held online allowing all players a chance to solicit votes. We will send invitations to all teams asking for a list of 10 players which should include bios/stats if possible. Each player will be profiled on the Gridiron Elites website for all to see. Each team will have the responsibility in helping their player get to the top. The voting will then begin with all to see.

The organizing staff will also assemble a list of Head Coaches that they would like to see run each team. The list will begin with league champions and as they accept and or decline we will move on until a staff is named for each of the 4 teams. At that point the Head Coach and committee will be named for all 4 teams and they will then be able to name not only the remainder of their coaching staff but select a portion of there roster from the remaining pool of finalist not selected by vote.

As this is just getting off the ground please stay tuned as we release more information. The nominations and survey will go out to all teams beginning next week and a final list provided for voting 2 weeks later. So you will have 2 weeks to get your owners to submit your players, bios and stats.

This 1st event will more than likely take place in the NJ or the MD area as this will be a 3 day event early spring 2010. Each team will be alloted practice time the day before the game by design. There will be a social event on Friday and Saturday night before the game and hotel information will be provided as players are only required to make the practices and meetings the day before to be eligible for the game. The Game will then take place as part of a huge semi-pro football awareness event. We will find local groups to partner with to see that the game is not only a huge success but part of the Gridiron Elites overall plan to bring more eyes into our sport. There will also be a owners meeting with vendors and resources that can possible help teams and owners. Playbookss will be standard between all teams and common allstar rules will apply, no blitzing, mandatory play time for all players and additional rules designed to limit injury.

Much like all Gridiron Products the cost to the players will be limited if not totality free based upon sponsorship. We will be partnering with XO Sports in Richmond VA for uniforms which players will purchase directly from the vendor. The players will have no cost other than the uniform they purchase and own, all other expenses, field and refs will be covered by the Gridiron Elite and its partners. So players expense should be limited to maybe $ 40.00 and no money from the players will every touch the hands of the Gridiron Elite its staff or members. There will be a trophy provided to the winning team, its staff, and Game MVP’s. The event will also be broadcasted live via podcast and streamed video available at the website.

The Gridiron Elite will also help teams interested in supporting the event raise money for there teams, information on that program will follow. So the players get a chance to showcase their talent, the semi-pro community gets and event that has never happened before in this area and teams interested can earn money using the event as a fundraiser.

Please take into account men that we need everyones help in making this event a success. The roster will not be designed in a regional format to help eliminate the chance that any one player, coach and or staff member will use the event as a recruiting tool. Any open conversation that can be viewed as a recruiting attempt will be meet with the only possible conclusion, IMMEDIATE  REMOVAL FROM THE EVENT. This event will not be tainted in any fashion by anyone with an agenda outside of this event. The last major rule is Unsportsmanlike conduct will also an immediate exit from the event an a permanent ban.

As our staff has been busy developing the event we now need your help spread the word and offer your thoughts by sending an email to admin@gridironelite.org. Great point and or ideas will be tabled here for all to see as this is the EVERYONES EVENT.

Rebels Halloween Homecoming A Huge Success

The Bronx Rebels program celebrated Halloween with two gridiron treats.  The Rebel pee wees faced the Bronx Kings in the first half of the doubleheader.  The Rebels played tough and in the Commissioner Dexter Girven, longtime supporter of Bronx Rebels football for doing the ceremonial coin toss in the second game.  You can check out the highlights from the weekend in our video section.

RAFL Crowns Buccaneers Champs

Staten Island NY—Monsignor Farrell High School played host to the RAFL Championship last night. In a game that was a high scoring affair, the New Jersey Buccaneers defeated the Virginia Kings 52-30. Both offenses were led by their quarterbacks, Ryan Holmes for the Bucs and Darryl Overton for the Kings, as both were name game MVP’s for their respective teams.

Holmes played a spectacular game guiding the Buccaneers offense with clutch passes, timely runs, and showed great poise. On the day, Holmes passed for 16 completions in 26 attempts for 388 yards and 4 passing touchdowns. When pressured, Holmes broke several Kings attempts to bring him down for sacks, and was able to complete his passes to open receivers. The main recipient of his passes was receiver Charles Ransom, who finished the day with 9 receptions for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns. Holmes finished the day with 417 yards of total offense.

D. Overton’s play was spectacular in itself, showing great elusiveness in breaking several tackles and leading the Kings in rushing with 131 yards in 13 carries and 2 rushing touchdowns. His passing statistics were 20-50 for 311 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, ending the night with 407 yards of total offensive yardage.

The scoring began on the Buccaneers second offensive possession in the 1st quarter. Holmes led the offense 69 yards in 10 plays, completing 4 of 5 pass for 48 yards. The last 2 yards were completed to Ransom for the score. Jean Marcellus added the first of 4 extra points on the day and the Bucs led 7-0.

After Jeffrey Overton’s kickoff return put the Kings at the Buccaneers 44 yard line. The defense began to apply pressure on D. Overton forcing 2 incomplete passes. A false start penalty and an 11 yard completion left the Kings with a 4th and 4 from the Bucs 38 yard line. As D. Overton dropped back to pass, he again faced pressure from the Buccaneers defensive line. As he released the pass to Derrick McBryde, Bucs defensive back Ben Ford stepped in and deflected the pass forcing a turnover on downs.

The Bucs next scoring opportunity came in the 2nd quarter courtesy of their defense. The Kings started the series at their 19 yard line. Two runs netted the Kings -2 yards and found them facing a 3rd and 12. D. Overton rolled right, away from a blitz. Left defensive end, Sayon Lembrick, kept Overton from reaching the outside causing him to cutback inside. Outside linebacker Lou Allen continued pursing Overton from behind, delivering a vicious blindside hit. The hit caused a fumble, which was quickly recovered by defensive back Dametrist Mason at the Kings 4 yard line, giving the Bucs offense an excellent opportunity for a score. On first down running back Allen Jones ran off right tackle for the score, pushing the lead Bucs to 14-0.

The Buccaneers scored on their next two series on runs of 3 yards by back Corey Lane. The scores extended the lead to 27-0 and the conventional thought was the game was headed for a major blowout.
Kings return man, Brian Payton, took the kickoff and returned it 21 yards to the Kings 40 yard line, giving the offense good position with 3 minutes plus on the clock. From there, D. Overton move the offense the 60 yards in 9 plays, running the final 10 yards for the score. On the run, Overton made several great moves and pump fakes of the football, to give the Kings their first score of the night. With the two point conversion failed, the Kings trailed 27-6 with 39 seconds left in the half.

Bucs return man Eric Childs then took the kickoff, to the Buccaneers 43, giving the offense momentum to try and close out the half with a score. On first down, Holmes connected with Ransom for 32 yards, giving the offense the ball at the Kings 25 yard line. On the next play Holmes dropped back to pass and scanned the defense. Holmes then saw receiver Corey Cooper get behind the Kings defensive backs and threw a perfect pass into the endzone, which Cooper hauled in for the score. The score closed out the 1st half, leaving everyone wondering how much the Bucs would beat the Kings by.

The start of the second half had the Kings receive the ball and begin at their 27 yard line. This is where the Kings began to show signs of life. D. Overton led the Kings offense 73 yards for their second score as he ran the ball in from 5 yards out. With a successful 2 point conversion, the score was 33-14.

Not to be out done, the Buccaneers offense needed only 2 plays to score. Facing 2nd and 11 from their own 31, Holmes connected with Childs for the score. On the play, Holmes faked the off tackle run then saw Childs one on one with the Kings defensive back and threw the pass. Childs out leaped the defensive back for the ball. As the two came down, the Kings defensive back fell down, leaving Childs with no one around and he cruised to the endzone for the score making it 39-14.

On the Kings next offensive series, Childs now playing defense, thwarted the Kings chance of scoring when we dove and intercepted Overton’s throw at the Bucs 4 yard line. This gave the Bucs the opportunity to make the play of the game.

First down, the Kings Jerry Chiles stop Jones for a 2 yard loss. On second down Holmes dropped back to pass and found his go to receiver, Ransom down the right sideline. After making the catch, Ransom fended of the defensive back and then out ran the rest of the Kings defense, 98 yards for the score. The score pushed the lead to 46-14.

Despite the substantial deficit, the Kings came out ready to fight. Payton took the kickoff and returned it 41 yards to the Bucs 25. The offense then needed 2 plays for the score as D. Overton connected with Mc Bryde for the score. With the 2 point successful, the Kings were down 46-22.

The Kings defense then forced the Bucs to punt, taking over at their 34 yards. The offense then moved the 66 yards in 5 plays as D. Overton threw his final offensive score to Antonio Smith. Smith’s reception covered 19 yards and then added the 2 point conversion closing the gap to 46-30.

The final score of the game came in the 4th quarter when on 2nd and 11, from the Kings 46 yard line, D. Overton threw his final interception to Mason. After securing the ball, Mason then received some great blocking from his teammates and raced 57 yards making final score 52-30.

The Kings still had fight left in them and move the ball 58 yards to the Buccaneers 3 yard line. From there, the Bucs defense force 4 incomplete pass and all but assured the New Jersey Buccaneers the victory.

The Championship game closed out the RAFL’s 2009 season making it a successful one for the league overall.

Congratulations to the New Jersey Buccaneers staff, coaches, players and fans.

Contributed by: Ed Gladney

Elite Finish Season Strong With A Winter Classic

The 2009 season was kicked off with a unique style this year as the Gridiron Elite opened the Minor League football year with an action packed Spring Classic.  In its second year of existence, the Elite  hosted many events and its site are now set on 2010.  But with a few calendar days left the folks at the Elite decided to give us one more treat to close out ‘09.  The Winter Classic kicked off last week with local teams giving it all on the field for postseason glory.  It is fair to say that at the Gridiron Elite, there is NO offseason.

The programs involved are a good mix of new and familar faces.  Spring runner up Empire State Demon Knights have had a season that resembles a marathon as they head into the winter with much momentum after a RAFL playoff berth.  The Long Island Panthers also performed strong in the RAFL and their playoff appearance in the summer provdes interesting speculation on whether the can take the Winter Classic.  The Brooklyn Bulldawgs, a fresh face in the spring are also back in the mix this winter. 

The roster of new teams are also pretty impressive.  The Connecticut Gamblers bring some cold bruising ballers from the north.  The New York Syn played well this year in the EFA and even added a interstate win to their resume by traveling to Philadelphia and picking up a big W.  Also representing the EFA is longtime semi-pro mainstay Westchester Steelers who are playing well right now after defeating a very good NYC Falcon team in the EFA playoffs.  Rounding out the list is the most intriguing team, the CDFL elite.  This group of young, and hungry ballplayers love mixing it up with whoever will line up against them.  

Just when you thought the year was coming to a close, the Winter Classic gives you another reason to bundle up, grab some hot chocolate and head out to the stadium.  Full info on the schedule and results will be posted here on gridironelite.org with elimination play starting soon, you can bet that we will be covering the games in Gridiron Elite style.  That means highlights and interviews with coaches and players along with the latest news on everything Elite.