Monday, October 24, 2011

ALBANY WINS EMPIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

EFL PRESS RELEASE: (October 24, 2011)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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ALBANY WINS EMPIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP

Mallers use dominant first half to win title first year back in the league

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – On a brisk Saturday evening the Albany Metro Mallers went into Syracuse and came away champions. A dominant first-half performance propelled Albany to 26-14 victory over the Syracuse Shock in the Empire Football League championship game at Sunnycrest Field. On a night where the players sang the national anthem and tempers flared the Mallers emerged as the cream of the crop in the EFL.

"It feels very good to win this and when we came back to the EFL this is what we hoped to accomplish," Albany head coach Chris Brown said. "This was a knock-down, drag-out fight between us and Syracuse and we just happened to put enough points on the board to come away with the victory."

After a shaky start Albany controlled the entire first half. Except for an error on offense, Albany yielded zero points to the Shock in the first 30 minutes. With Syracuse deep in Albany territory Maller linebacker Greg Woodward forced a Shock fumble on the three yard line. On the very next play, Albany running back Sylvester Cooperwood coughed up the ball in the end zone and Syracuse linebacker Charmain Smith recovered it for the Shock touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, returner Donald Murdock, Jr. picked up a bouncing ball at the 18 yard line broke a few tackles and scooted down the Maller's sideline before crossing the field, taking it back 82 yards to even the contest at seven. With 7:18 left in the first quarter and plenty of fireworks Albany had new life.

"Instead of getting down, we regrouped and retook the momentum with one play and it brought our spirits back up," Brown continued. "All we could do is smile and get back to work on defense, which we did."

Late in the first quarter, a constant Albany rush forced a Syracuse punt. Do-it-all quarterback C.J. Tarver, the EFL's Player of the Year, retrieved the kick and returned it to the Shock 33. With great field position Tarver connected on two straight pass attempts to take the Mallers to the Shock three yard line as the quarter ran out. On the first play of the second quarter Cooperwood drove the pile into the end zone for the score. Early in the second quarter Albany possessed a 14-7 lead and all of the momentum.

"He's an x-factor," Brown commented on Tarver's role in the game. "There's no way to ever determine what he is going to do…he can run it, he can throw it. If you try to keep an extra man in the box he can throw it down field to our great receivers in Culture Branch and Ace Barnhill."

Albany was not done however, a poor punt by Syracuse set the Mallers up on the 45 yard line going in. Tarver hit receiver Culture Branch for 40 yards, giving Albany first-and-goal at the Syracuse six yard line. On the very next play Tarver scrambled around the left side for the six yard score. The extra point attempt was blocked, but Albany still commanded a 13-point advantage with 11 minutes to play in the half.

With less than two minutes left in the half and Syracuse backed up in their own end, the Albany pass rush forced another Shock punt. The Mallers defensive unit broke through the Shock line and blocked Grulich's kick. Set up at the Syracuse two, Albany took three plays to punch the ball in on a Tarver quarterback sneak. Tarver's second score of the game gave Albany a 26-7 halftime lead.

Syracuse came out motivated in the second half, facing a 19-point deficit, their largest of the season by far. The Shock forced a three-and-out on Albany's first possession, but fumbled the ensuing punt giving the Mallers the ball right back. Albany missed a 43 yard field goal however, as Syracuse's defense stepped up and did not relinquish any points off the turnover.

Following a Syracuse failed third-down conversion, head coach Ken Anderson called a fake punt to motivate his troops. Grulich received the snap and ran around the left corner coming up just inches short of the first down. A stout Mallers defense once again stopped a Shock attempt of getting back into the game.

"It starts with our front four," Brown noted. "They keep bodies off our linebackers and secondary so they can run free and make plays. Syracuse made a lot of good adjustments, but we continued to press on. Our defense is probably one of the best around like I've said all season. They're a very strong unit that is able to pitch a shutout on any given night. They did a phenomenal job for us tonight."

Not going away quietly, Syracuse put together a quick scoring drive led by running back Dewayne Gordon. A run of 28 yards by Gordon set up the Shock on the Maller's 30 yard line. Two plays later quarterback Cedric Stevens connected with receiver Tyler Gage for the 22 yard score, cutting the Albany lead to 26-14 with 1:20 left in the third quarter.

During the fourth quarter the Albany defense tightened up and forced three Syracuse turnover-on-downs, two of which took place on the Shock side of the field. The Maller defense forced three Shock fumbles and blocked a punt to complete their night. Syracuse was unable to generate any offense as Cedric Stevens threw 13 incomplete passes down the final stages of the game. Albany converted a crucial third-and-ten late in the fourth to ice the game and bring home a championship to New York's state capital.

C.J. Tarver compiled over 150 yards of total offense scoring two rushing touchdowns. Coach Brown employed a balance attack with Tarver, who ran the ball 15 times and threw it the same amount.

It is the fifth Empire Football League title the Albany franchise has won. Albany also won championships in 1979, 1989 and most recently back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006. After finishing 2010 with a 2-8 record and as a member of the North American Football League, Albany again won an EFL championship.

Albany has entered the 2011 USFA Harvest Bowl and will compete for a second national championship (2008). Syracuse may also enter their organization in the national bowl game playoffs.

NOTES: The game was streamed live for fans worldwide by Steve Weed Productions. Please visit his site at www.steveweedproductions.com to view replay of this game.

SCORING

First Quarter
Syr. – Fumble recovery in end zone, #8 Charmain Smith (Grulich kick good)
Alb. – 82 yard kick-off return for touchdown, #27 Donald Murdock, Jr. (Peterson kick good)

Second Quarter
Alb. – 3 yard touchdown run, #4 Sylvester Cooperwood. (Peterson kick good)
Alb. – 6 yard touchdown run, #10 C.J. Tarver (Peterson kick blocked)
Alb. – 1 yard touchdown run, #10 C.J. Tarver (Peterson kick blocked)

Third Quarter
Syr. – 22 yard touchdown catch, #5 Tyler Gage from #7 Cedric Stevens (Grulich kick good)

Quarter

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Final

Albany

7

19

0

0

26

Syracuse

7

0

7

0

14

 


The EFL is also proud to announce the following All Star Selections for 2011:

http://empire-football-league.org/press-releases/60-2011-empire-football-league-all-stars-.html

Thursday, October 06, 2011

AFA Newsletter October 08, 2011

http://amercianfootballassn.c.topica.com/maapmVnab6ld8aaaaaacaehnZL/ AFA Newsletter October 08, 2011
In This Issue:
•   AFA Announces Mobile Live Channel
•   AFA Smartphone Resources
•   AFA Featured In NFL Yearbooks
•   AFA Membership Programs
•   AFA News Clips
•   Join Us On The Social Networks (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin)
AFA Announces Mobile Live Channel
This capability was prototyped briefly the week prior to the AFA Hall of Fame Induction live broadcast to check out interface functionality. Now we've decided to take this to the next level and enable viewing of live broadcasts on your PCs and Droid Smartphones. We will feature weekly vintage game broadcasts such as the Pottstown Firebirds Super Bowl Special, Kalamazoo Tornadoes AFA Championship, Past AFA Hall of Fame Inductions, Current AFA Member Team Game Broadcast and special announcements.
Send us a note (amerfoot@aol.com) and let us know what you would like to see broadcast in the future!!!!!

By the way, this capability is also available to all AFA Member Teams! Keep checking our website for broadcast portal info………

American Football Association

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AFA Featured In NFL Yearbooks
Building upon our successful ad placement in USA TODAY's Special Commemorative Super Bowl XLV Preview earlier in the year, we have now placed ads in the 2011 Yearbooks for the NY Jets, Giants and New Orleans Saints.


These NFL Yearbooks will be available for purchase at NFL games and on newsstands during the NFL season. Get your copy today and turn to back page to see the American Football Association's ad listing current AFA Member Leagues and our QR Scan Code. Stay tuned for our NFL Game Ticket Raffle !!!!

American Football Association

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AFA News Clips
AFA Benefits' accident plan can fill health insurance gaps
During a recent semipro football game, a football player recently received significant internal injuries and a spinal fracture. An air ambulance quickly transported him to the hospital where he faced many surgeries and a long hospital stay, as well as a long list of expenses not covered by health insurance. However, benefits from his voluntary accident plan – about $34,000 – helped him pay for medical bills and other living expenses.

AFA Benefits' voluntary accident plans, provided through Colonial Life & Accident Insurance, offer football players a variety of benefits for covered accidents that can help pay for what health insurance doesn't. "Players can purchase our new accident plan without answering questions about their health, and the plan is easy to understand."

Policyholders who have a covered accident or sickness can receive a benefits check paid directly to them (unless they specify otherwise) to use as they see fit. Team coaches and owners can also buy coverage for their players, support staff and even their families.

Accident Plan Features and Benefits
• No waiting for health insurance to pay before you can file a claim through the accident plan for benefits.
• Three coverage levels to fit employees' budgets.
• Employee, employee/family or family-only coverage options.
• Wide range of coverage, such as: hospital admissions; emergency treatment in an emergency room, doctor's office and urgent care visits; fractures, dislocations, surgery, rehabilitation unit; X-rays; occupational therapy, medical imaging study; and accidental death and dismemberment.
• Same premium for all employees regardless of job title or management status.
• Other benefits options: choice of accident or accident/sickness disability riders offering total and partial disability benefits, and sickness hospital confinement rider.
• Coverage for people 80 years old and younger.
• Compliant with a health savings account.

For more information about Colonial Life & Accident Insurance's new voluntary accident plan provided by AFA Benefits, Inc. call 877-624-4485 or email AFABenefitsInc@americanfootballassn.com

AFA Hall of Fame Business Cards
Business cards are now available upon request for all active AFA Hall of Fame members per sample below……


Bad blood fuels rivalry
Lake Geneva Regional News
After a Ironman Football League semifinal playoff loss in 2009, Diehl sensed a dissension between him and the organization. ...http://www.lakegenevanews.net/Articles-i-2011-10-06-245190.114135-Bad-blood-fuels-rivalry.html

Wilson NFL Footballs...We have just been informed by Wilson that they will no longer sell "blem" footballs.............The good news is that we now stock new Wilson Footballs for $15 more per ball. So instead of $50/ball or $300 per case for blems, the price is now $65/ball or $390 per case for new balls. Shipping and handling remains the same at $20............ http://content.oddcast.com/vhss/vhss_v5.swf?doc=http%3A%2F%2Fvhss-d.oddcast.com%2Fphp%2FplayScene%2Facc%3D36976%2Fss%3D690866%2Fsl%3D0&acc=36976&bgcolor=0x&embedid=d42a5dea8a2e9eb03c5f06fc200b1e3f
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Semi-pro Football HQ Scoreboard
+ http://www.semiprofootball.org/
+ http://www.adultamateurfootball.org/
+ http://www.facebook.com/#!/semiprofootballhq
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
New features at http://www.semiprofootball.org/ . In the upper right hand corner of our home page is a "Search this Site" button with which you can search 12.5 years of information accumulated for player names, coaches, teams, leagues, etc. Additionally, you can now view 2010 league champions from the 79 semi-pro football leagues across the USA.
Copyright (c) 1998-2011, Joe Hulsebus
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AFA Smartphone Resources
AFA Smartphone Application (App)
The AFA Smartphone App is now available for download from the Android Marketplace along with thousands of other apps. Our App provides links to member teams/leagues, application doucments and major announcements. We have also included links to other neat apps like.........
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- The Weather Channel
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To download the AFA's App just click the following.......
http://market.android.com/details?id=com.appsbar.AFA23592

Smartphone QR Codes
QR codes have been around for a while, and many big corporations use them. In the past six months, though, small companies in the U.S. have flocked to the technology, thanks to services that let them easily create codes. Meanwhile, numerous phones, including many Androids and BlackBerrys, come with an app that reads QR codes. (Others, like the iPhone, must download the software.) Scanbuy Inc., a New York company that develops and manages QR codes, estimates that 30 million people in the U.S. have a code-reader app on their phone.

Stay tuned for more QR codes from the AFA as we rollout raffles, lottery drawings, videos and other interesting info via these codes. By the way, we already have ads with our code in the NY Jets & Giants and Saints Gameday Yearbook Programs.

To test our code, just scan the QR code to the right with your Smartphone. QR Code Lottery Prize give aways to be announced soon!

American Football Association (click here)

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AFA Membership Programs
2011 AFA Alumni Club Membership - Are You A Card Carrying Member?
AFA 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. Semi-Pro Football Alumni Club is co-sponsored by the AFA National Association and the Members of the AFA Hall of Fame Alumni. If you are interested in a 2011 membership application, just click: http://www.americanfootballassn.com/resources/afa-alumni-application.html or
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2011 AFA Team & League Membership
Membership applications are now being accepted for the 2011 season. The annual membership fee to join the AFA is $100 "per team" which provides a benefit package that is easily 10x this fee. Team membership applications can be downloaded by clicking: http://www.americanfootballassn.com/resources/team-membership-application.html or
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