Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Semi-pro football may return to York


COLUMN By STEVE HEISER The York Dispatch
York Dispatch

Peyton Pool Jr. loves football.

He loves the contact. He loves the competition. He loves the camaraderie.

He just can't get enough of it.

That's why the 2000 Delone Catholic High School graduate is trying to bring back semi-pro football to York.

The Hanover resident is the driving force behind the York Silver Bullets, a team which plans to compete in the Mason-Dixon Football League (MDFL) starting in June. And yes, Pool said the team is named after the popular adult beverage.

York's history with semi-pro sports is spotty, at best. Remember the Lions (football), the Icecats (ice hockey), the Cyclones (men's basketball) or the Noise (women's basketball)? All tried to establish a foothold in York. All failed.

But that doesn't scare off Pool. He's convinced the Silver Bullets can succeed.

"I want to bring a winning team back to the York area," Pool said. "They're trying to bring a minor-league baseball team to York. Hopefully we can bring a football championship to York. I think there's enough talent in southcentral Pennsylvania to put a winning team together."

Pool does have semi-pro football experience. The 5-foot, 8-inch 220-pound linebacker played two seasons for the Baltimore Bulls of the Diamond Football League. But practicing, playing, traveling to Baltimore and holding down a full-time job got to be too much. He gave up playing for a year.
This fall, he filled his football fix by coaching the Spring Grove Jets Pony youth team. But with encouragement from his young players, he got the itch to play football again. With help from two friends, Spring Grove High School graduates Kevin Grove and Keith Grove, Pool started looking around for a league to play in.

"It just kind of mushroomed from there," Pool said.

Pool and his friends discovered the MDFL, which has teams in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. The York team is set to compete in the Northern Conference against teams located in Maryland and Virginia. The Silver Bullets are expected to play a dozen regular-season games on Saturday evenings.

But there's still much work to be done. Last week, Pool said he had 20
definite player commitments and another 15 players considering it. He's hoping to have a roster of 40-60 players when the team takes the field next June.

"Within the last month, my phone has been ringing off the hook," he said.

The players who do sign up will do it for the love of the game. Despite its semi-pro label, there's no money to be made with the Silver Bullets. In fact, playing for the York team will require a substantial financial commitment. There's a $15 tryout fee. The player dues are $65. You have to buy your own equipment for another $300. And you're responsible for getting yourself to practices and games.

Pool does have a site (West York Middle School) for the tryout, set for 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. But he still needs to find a site where the team can hold its games and practices. He's also searching for an owner and a head coach.

It's a work in progress, but Pool remains optimistic.

"It's a second chance for guys," Pool said. "While watching NFL or college games on weekends, you always get the comment, 'Man, I wish I could get back out there.' This is their chance. We can put on the pads and smack people around and have fun again."

Steve Heiser is sports editor of The York Dispatch. He can be reached at sheiser@yorkdispatch.com or at 854-1575, ext. 455. Peyton Pool Jr. can be reached at 717-440-2248 or at vetteman989965@yahoo.com. The Web site for the York Silver Bullets is www.leaguelineup.com/semi-profootball.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

AFA ANNOUNCES NOMINATING BALLOTS FOR THE 2006 SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

http://amercianfootballassn.c.topica.com/maaedrnabl6gAaaaaaaeaehnZL/ AFA Press Release November 18, 2005
AFA ANNOUNCES NOMINATING BALLOTS FOR THE 2006 SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME WILL GO IN THE MAIL SOON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media - contact Dave Burch at AFA National Office
(877)624-4485 or (941)388-3510
(e-mail) amerfoot@aol.com (or) usafoot@aol.com
(website) www.americanfootballassn.com

The American Football Association announced today that it will be sending out its annual nominating ballots in the near future for next years (Class of 2006) Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame candidates. Over the past 25 years the AFA national association has inducted 500 different semi-pro footballers in 11 different categories.

In addition to the ever growing list of HOF Alumni who qualify to receive nominating ballots this year, the AFA will extend balloting opportunities to those semi-pro leagues who supported the AFA during the 2005 season by taking part in the AFA’s 100% team membership program - providing of course that the member league administrators follow the AFA’s nominating qualification criteria.

In an effort to give even more opportunities to those qualified to be nominated for the AFA’s most prestigious annual award (Hall of Fame Enshrinement), the AFA has begun soliciting membership into their national association sponsored Semi-Pro Football Alumni Club. In the future individual team and league alumni clubs across the country, with a qualifying number of memberships, will be allowed to submit an AFA/HOF nominating ballot directly to the AFA selection committee for consideration.

The 2006 Hall of Fame nominating ballots will be mailed soon with the next issue of the AFA’s quarterly “Semi-Pro and Proud” newsletter. Inside the newsletter is an explanation of the current criteria for those qualifying for Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration along with an application for AFA Alumni Club membership opportunities.

Anyone interested in joining the AFA Semi-Pro Football Alumni Club can request an application by sending an e-mail to AFAAlumni@aol.com. We will forward you a colorful PDF file membership form via return e-mail. Be sure to list your name, home address, e-mail address and phone number. Annual membership fee is only $10.

AFA Alumni Club rings, caps, polo shirts, T-shirts, pins, patches and other club merchandise is now available to members - who want to show they’re “Semi-Pro and Proud” about our level of the game. Membership is open to anyone and everyone that, at one time or another, had been (or still is) involved with a semi-pro team and/or league.

About the American Football Association:
The AFA is dedicated to the advancement of semi-pro/minor league football throughout the United States and serves as the National Organization for non-professional leagues and teams from coast-to-coast. For more information about the AFA, please visit their Web site: www.americanfootballassn.com.

Contact: Dave Burch, Director of Communications, American Football Association, 877-624-4485 or amerfoot@aol.com
###
American Football Association
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Monday, November 14, 2005

Semi-pro Football Scoreboard 11/12/2005 thru 11/13/2005


*** Eastern Football Alliance Tournament ***
Virginia Ravens 22, Prince William (VA) Monarchs 14

*** Harvest Bowl Tournament ***
Buffalo (NY) Gladiators 44, Albany (NY) Metro Mallers 19

*** Associates ***
Detroit (MI) Black Ravens 24, Force of Illinois 20
Haddington (PA) Bengals 18, Long Island (NY) Panthers 14
Long Beach (CA) Lions 21, Inglewood (CA) Blackhawks 15
Moreno Valley (CA) Mercury 9, Sin City (NV) Express 6
Northwest (PA) Giants 21, Bensalem (PA) Packers 14
Overbrook (PA) Chargers 38, South Philly (PA) Ravens 2
Southern California Steelers 31, Southern California Smash 14
Virginia Hornets 7, Bluefield (WV) Barons 0
Warminster (PA) Colts 19, Olney (PA) Blaze 8
West Bend (WI) Junkyard Dogs 14, Oostburg (WI) Rebels 12

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Gulf Coast Raiders Join Southern States Football League

MEDIA RELEASE

Gulf Coast Raiders                                                                          November 9, 2005

600 Cleveland Street

Suite 940

Clearwater, FL 33755

 

CONTACT: Denise Wampler, Director of Operations

TELEPHONE: (727) 466-0269 ext. 224

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Gulf Coast Raiders Join Southern States Football League

 

(TAMPA BAY, FL) The Gulf Coast Raiders are the newest addition to the Southern States Football League (SSFL) for the 2006 season.

 

Over 150 players have been processed through four mini-camps hosted by the Raiders and talent has been drawn from multiple cities, including Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The Raiders have taken a different approach from other SSFL teams, and do not charge players a fee to play. In addition, players are provided uniforms, transportation to and from games and ultimately given the opportunity to play football in a nationally recognized league.

 

Named after the four Marine Raider Battalions of the World War II, the GC Raiders have developed a philosophy that stresses advancement and personal growth.  Head Coach Michael Mink and the rest of the coaching staff view the Raiders team as a stepping stone for players with aspirations of playing football at the collegiate and professional level.

 

“Many of these players have so much talent and for whatever reason were unable to attend college and get the exposure that could help them reach the next level, whether it being the NFL or AFL. I believe this team will give these guys a second chance.”

—Coach Michael Mink

 

Lead by an experienced coaching staff, including former Detroit Lions Fullback James Jones, the Raiders are prepared to join the SSFL and to be recognized as the premier breakout football team of 2006.  Let the invasion begin…

Monday, November 07, 2005

Semi-pro Football Scoreboard 11/5/2005 thru 11/6/2005

*** Ironman Football League ***
Milwaukee (WI) Bulldogs 3, Madison (WI) Seminoles 0

*** Tournaments ***
Prince William (VA) Monarchs 16, Irvington (NJ) Knights 8
Virginia Hornets 21, Carolina (NC) Heat 13
Virginia Ravens 17, Baltimore (MD) Warriors 6

*** Associates ***
Bluefield (WV) Barons 37, South Georgia Stars 13
California Dolphins 36, Southern California Cobras 0
Inglewood (CA) Blackhawks 27, Compton (CA) Jaguars 9
Kankakee (IL) Seminoles 27, Evansville (IN) Vipers 2
Overbrook (PA) Chargers 46, Bensalem (PA) Packers 0
Prince William (VA) Monarchs 16, Irvington (NJ) Knights 8
San Diego (CA) Thunder 32, Tri-County (CA) Titans 6
Southern California Apaches 15, Moreno Valley (CA) Mercury 8
Southern California Smash 12, California Raiders 6
Southern California Steelers 26, North County (CA) Cobras 17
Warminster (PA) Colts 7, Northwest (PA) Giants 6
West Bend (WI) Junkyard Dogs 30, Racine (WI) Threat 14
West Oak Lane (PA) Panthers 16, Long Island (NY) Panthers 0

Sunday, November 06, 2005

GAME BALLS STILL AVAILABLE THROUGH THE AFA

AFA Press Release November 07, 2005
GAME BALLS STILL AVAILABLE THROUGH THE AFA
Media - contact Dave Burch at AFA National Office
(877)624-4485 or (941)388-3510
(e-mail) amerfoot@aol.com (or) usafoot@aol.com
(website) www.americanfootballassn.com

With the NFL nearing the mid-point of their 2005 season, it’s hard to realize that most of the fall season semi-pro leagues are wrapping up their seasons and busy crowning their league champions. Many of those league champs and their league runner-ups are all heading into post-season tournaments across the country.

Tournament promoters and tourney ‘host’ teams are reminded that the American Football Association has a fund-raising agreement with Wilson Sporting Goods for NFL ‘Blem’ game balls and those blems are currently available from the AFA at special discount prices.

Keep in mind that the NFL logo footballs marked blems have made it all the way through all the rigorous inspection stages. During the final inspection, each ball must meet quality standards in appearance, stitching, length, width, shape, weight, and end seams. It is at that point that the NFL balls are once again scrutinized for uniform consistency and appearance perfection. Even the slightest cosmetic blemish detected during the final Wilson inspection line will find that game ball not quite good enough to make it all the way to ‘the NFL Pro teams’. Those balls that don’t make the NFL ‘final cut’ are indicated with a 'small' code marking on the ball and now are destined for an appearance with one of the many AFA semi-pro football organizations across the country.

Teams interested in ordering official Wilson NFL game ball ‘Blems’ at a special AFA discount rate may do so by contacting the American Football Association at 941-388-3510 or downloading the NFL Blem ball order form on one the AFA’s websites. www.AmericanFootballAssn.com or www.AmericanFootballNews.org.

The Wilson NFL Official Game Ball ‘blem’ can be purchased through this AFA fund-raising project for as low as $35 per ball when ordered in six-pacs. An additional $2 per ball must be added to each order for shipping & handling. See order form for additional information. To expedite shipping time - place your NFL ‘blem’ ball order with the AFA using a major credit card. Wilson official NFL (blem) balls are available for immediate shipping.

Can't download the order form from our website? Send an e-mail request to usafoot@aol.com and we'll forward you a PDF file of the colorful order blank.
American Football Association
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Saturday, November 05, 2005

Dragons to begin national playoffs against formidable New England foe

 
BY BRIAN MORITZ
Press & Sun-Bulletin

More than a month after their last game, the Broome County Dragons will return to the field tonight.

The Dragons (6-4) are scheduled to take on the Boston Bandits (13-0) in the first-round of the Harvest Bowl National Championship tournament at 7 p.m. at East Boston Stadium.

The Harvest Bowl is a 16-team tournament featuring semi-pro teams from four leagues, including the Empire Football League. Last season, the CNY Express out of Syracuse won the Harvest Bowl.

The Dragons (6-4) lost to Lake City on Oct. 1 in the first round of the EFL playoffs. However, in rankings compiled by the Harvest Bowl that take strength of schedule into account, the Dragons were the second-highest team in the EFL behind Albany and earned a spot in the tournament.

The Dragons relied heavily on their passing attack. Quarterback Ty Fish threw for an EFL-best 1,800 yards this season and had 16 touchdown passes. Three Broome County receivers were among the league's top 10 in receiving yards. Jonathan Bechy led the league with 553 yards receiving.

The Bandits won the New England Football League championship. They outscored their opponents, 342-68.

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