Play Football Month Celebration Award Winners (Empire Football League)

Play Football Month Celebration Award Winners

USA Football Announces Play Football Month Celebration Award Winners from Nine States and One Province

By Hilary Strahota

USA Football, the NFL, and the NFL Players Association have announced the recipients of the 2005 Play Football Month Celebration Award.

A joint campaign with the NFL and the NFL Players Association, Play Football Month kicked off the week of August 25^th and continued through September 30.  Coaches, players, parents, officials, and fans from all levels of the sport put on celebration events in communities across the country to honor the traditions of the gridiron.

 

The fifteen national winners represented nine different states and one Canadian province with celebration events held at the youth, high school, and semi-pro level.  Each organization received cash awards to help them to grow their programs and promote the sport at the grassroots level.

 

The Play Football Month Celebration Award was eligible to non-profit organizations involved with youth and amateur football, including leagues, schools, and local community football programs.  The following programs are the 2005 winners.

 

• Alexandria Titans, Alexandria, VA (Youth)
• Manassas Youth Football League, Mannassas,VA (Youth)
• Matteson Youth Athletic Association, Matteson, IL (Youth)
• Pinellas Park High School, Largo, FL (High School)
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Sioux Falls, SD (Youth)
• Central Virginia Pop Warner, Charlottesville, VA (Youth)
• Youth Development Football League, Charlotte, NC (Youth)
• Concord Cobras (Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference), Antioch, CA (Youth)
• Brocton/Portland Midget Football, Brocton, NY (Youth)
• Orangeville Representative Football Association, Orangeville, ON (Youth)
• Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School, Dover, OH (High School)
• Randolph-Macon Academy, Front Royal, VA (High School)
• Empire Football League, Endicott, NY (Semi-pro)
• Lake City Stars, AuSable Forks, NY (Semi-pro)
• New Hampshire Youth Football & Spirit Conference, Auburn, NH (Youth)

AFA In Search Of Potential Semi-Pro Football Hall Of Fame Prospects

AFA Press Release December 24, 2005 AFA IN SEARCH OF POTENTIAL SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME PROSPECTS 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   AFA In Search Of Potential Semi-Pro Football Hall Of Fame "Class Of 2006" Prospects The American Semi-Pro Football Association (AFA) recently defined 3 ways Semi-Pro'ers can have their names placed on the AFA Hall of Fame nominating ballot - in consideration for induction as a member of the Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame. Each year, for the past 25 years, the American Football Association has selected a number of deserving individuals who have dedicated a good portion of their football careers to the semi-pro level of the game. Over the past two and a half decades the AFA has enshrined exactly 500 semi-pro football legends into 11 different categories - players (270), coaches (86), executives (66), officials (20), pioneers (19), media/historians (17), equip/trainers (8), youth football (5), international (5), women¹s football (3) and even one (1) super fan. Here are the 3 ways a former semi-pro footballer can have their names placed on the "Class of 2006" ballot for enshrinement consideration: A. AFA/HOF LEGENDS RECOMMENDATION: In November of each year the American Football Association mails out the annual Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame 'prospect applications'. That application is mailed to every active member of the AFA Hall of Fame Legends Alumni. Once the prospect applications are returned to the AFA national office, those prospects are contacted by mail and they're requested to fill out a hall of fame nomination profile form. Upon return of those profiles the AFA directs the information to the individual nominating director from the 8 respective AFA regional areas for nomination ballot consideration. That process guarantees that at least one prospective candidate from each regional area will be placed on the upcoming annual ballot and forwarded to the selection committee. B. AFA ALUMNI CLUB RECOMMENDATION: AFA registered state and local team semi-pro football alumni club chapters with 100 members or more are allowed to place at least one of their members on the current years nominating ballot. Applications for state and team alumni club charters can be obtained by contacting the National AFA Alumni Club chairperson via e-mail at AFAAlumni@aol.com C. INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATION: As part of the AFA's membership 'Game Plan 2006' the national association is searching for qualified Hall of Fame prospects among the 700 plus semi-pro football teams playing each year in some 65 different leagues from coast-to-coast. To be considered for inclusion on the 2006 AFA/HOF ballot candidates must meet the AFA's criteria for induction (see below). If you know of someone who meets the criteria for induction and would like us to send them a HOF profile application - please send your request to AFAAlumni@aol.com. We'll need their current home mailing address and a brief explanation on why you are recommending them. Candidates for AFA/HOF nomination consideration MUST fall into the following qualifying criteria: - PIONEER: more than 20 years removed as someone associated with starting a league or team. - EXECUTIVE: 10 or more years of service as an owner, general manager or commissioner. - COACH: 10 or more years as a semi-pro football coach or had been the head coach for an AFA National Championship Team. - PLAYER: must have been retired as an active player for 5 years or more. (Exception) someone who started out in semi-pro ball then was elevated to a professional football league. - HISTORIAN: open to anyone who is dedicated to the collection of semi-pro football facts and records and who was involved with a team or league for 10 or more years. - OFFICIAL: 10 or more years officiating on the semi-pro football level. - TRAINER: 10 or more years of service to a semi-pro team. - EQUIPMENT MANAGER: 10 years or more of service to a semi-pro team. - MEDIA PERSONALITY: radio, TV, newsprint sports personality who has actively promoted a semi-pro team or league for a period of 10 years or more. - INTERNATIONAL: American or foreign born American Football Rules activist promoting our sport outside the continental USA. - WOMEN'S CATEGORY: any woman who has excelled over the years in an all female type football league as a player, coach, executive, etc. No playing time constraints required. - SUPER FAN: anyone who has been involved with a semi-pro team or league and has proven to have been an active/dedicated promoter of a local team/league for 10 or more years. The American Football Association enshrines, on an average, 20 different individuals a year into the Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame. The following are the names of those serving on the nominating and selection committees: AFA "Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame" Nomination Committee - Northwest: 'Moose' Ralph Fahey - Bellingham, Washington Southwest: Bob Blechen - Temecula, California North Central: Stan Allspach - Baxter, Iowa South Central: Ray Powell - Arlington, Texas Midwest: Bob Milkie - Racine, Wisconsin Mideast: Mary Lockhart - Petersburg, Virginia Northeast: Dick Leland - Malta, New York Southeast: Joe Hoffman - Orlando, Florida AFA "Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame" Selection Committee - AFA Media: Mark Azara (pre-1980) - Danbury, Connecticut AFA Media: Joe Hulsebus (modern day 2000 to 2006) - Kalamazoo, Michigan AFA Media: Ron Real (1980 to present) - Sarasota, Florida Selection Committee Advisor: AFA Historian: Steve Brainerd - Tucson, Arizona Happy Holidays from the American Football Association (click for Greeting Card) http://members.aol.com/Amerfoot/merrychristmas.pdf 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 # # # Sponsor: American Football Monthly Magazine American Football Monthly Magazine is a publication dedicated to being the industry's #1 source of information for the football coach. When you subscribe, you will prove that you are not the type of coach to leave your career to chance. You realize that success is not a matter of luck. You understand that coaches don't stumble upon profound knowledge or just happen upon creativity or innovation. You know that you must actively pursue the solutions, information, and skills that make the difference. That is why we are sure that you will want to get your subscription to the ONLY TRADE JOURNAL for the football coaching professional, American Football Monthly.  American Football Monthly Magazine (click here)

American Football Monthly

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.

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

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

FREE Shipping Promotion - starts Nov. 15 Free Super Saver Shipping on orders over $50*. Coupon: FREESHIP Offer Date: Nov 15 - Dec 6  SemiPro Logo Merchandise

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

Provided as a service by the American Football Association 
http://www.AmericanFootballAssn.com/ 
http://www.AmericanFootballNews.org/ 
http://www.eteamz.com/minorleaguehalloffame/

*** 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

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…

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

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

All profits generated from this shop, including CafePress profits, will be donated equally to Americares and the ASPCA to help restore survivors' lives as quickly as possible.  Hurricane Katrina Relief Shop

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.

Semi-pro Football Scoreboard 10/29/2005 thru 10/30/2005

*** Ironman Football League ***
Madison (WI) Seminoles 22, Muskego (WI) Hitmen 0
Milwaukee (WI) Bulldogs 17, Waukesha County (WI) Soldiers 0

*** Mason-Dixon Football League ***
Virginia Ravens 13, Prince William (VA) Monarchs 7

*** Associates ***
Bluefield (WV) Barons 7, Knoxville (TN) Knights 6
California Dolphins 33, Santa Clarita (CA) Knights 0
Compton (CA) Jaguars 42, Long Beach (CA) Lions 28
Evansville (IN) Vipers 49, West Central (IN) Wildcats 6
Los Angeles (CA) Gunslingers 48, San Luis Obispo (CA) Panthers 28
North County (CA) Cobras 23, Antelope Valley (CA) DirtDevils 6
Oostburg (WI) Rebels 54, Milwaukee (WI) Warriors 0
Overbrook (PA) Chargers 15, Tabor (PA) Rams 0
Southern California Smash 12, California Raiders 0
Southern California Steelers 28, Inglewood (CA) Blackhawks 22
Tri-County (CA) Titans 33, Southern California Aztecs 0
Warminster (PA) Colts 27, Bensalem (PA) Packers 8
West Bend (WI) Junkyard Dogs 26, Green Bay Area (WI) Bobcats 19

Empire Football League Press Release October 27, 2005

EFL PRESS RELEASE: (October 27, 2005)

Media - contact Dave Burch at (877) 624-4485 
(e-mail) empirefoot@aol.com 
website: www.empire-football-league.com

 

The Empire Football League is proud to announce the Albany Metro Mallers as its 2005 EFL Champions. Albany won their Empire Football League title Saturday with a 33-0 victory over the Orange County Bulldogs capping a undefeated EFL season. The Metro Mallers are now ranked #1 in the AFA’s Power Ratings.

 

This Championship Game between the Orange County Bulldogs and the Albany Metro Mallers was broadcast via the internet. Bill Callahan, Empire League Historian and AFA Hall of Fame Broadcaster, handled the announcing chores working with Teamline from Ohio. This game has been archived at http://mediamorphis.com/minorpro.ram

courtesy of MediaMorphis if you missed listening last weekend .

 

The EFL announced the following 2005 EFL Award recipients at its season ending league meeting on October 23^rd:
- Sharon Barbagallo, Karol Cronin, Williams Family - Gary Shaver Team Administrator Award
- Mike Acquino & Fritz Brownell - Bill Higgins Officials Award

 

The EFL is also proud to announce their All Star Selections for 2005 as follows:

http://eteamz.active.com/empirefootballleague/files/2005EFLALLSTARS.doc

Semi-pro Football Scoreboard 10/22/2005 thru 10/23/2005

************************************************
*         Semi-pro Football Scoreboard         *
*          10/22/2005 thru 10/23/2005
*                                              *
*         Provided as a service by the         *
*        American Football Association         *
*     http://www.AmericanFootballAssn.com/     *
*     http://www.AmericanFootballNews.org/     *
* http://www.eteamz.com/minorleaguehalloffame/ *
************************************************

*** Empire Football League ***
Albany (NY) Metro Mallers 33, Orange County (NY) Bulldogs 0

*** Ironman Football League ***
Madison (WI) Seminoles 20, Lake Country (WI) Cyclones 6
Waukesha County (WI) Soldiers 19, Milwaukee (WI) Cyclones 7

*** Mason-Dixon Football League ***
Virginia Ravens 38, Carolina (NC) Heat 21

*** Associates ***
California Outlawz 41, Inland Empire (CA) Blitz 12
Detroit (MI) Black Ravens 26, Michigan Renegades 12
Iredell (NC) Warriors 21, Catawba County (NC) Hornets 7
Knoxville (TN) Knights 22, Greeneville (TN) Raptors 15
North County (CA) Cobras 28, San Diego (CA) Warriors 15
San Diego (CA) Thunder 66, Long Beach (CA) All-Americans 0
San Luis Obispo (CA) Panthers 40, Southern California Aztecs 0
Virginia Thunder 26, Virginia Beach (VA) Rhinos 12

Metro Mallers in the championship

10/21/2005 9:29 PM
By: Capital News 9 web staff

	Head Coach Norman Mann

Albany's semi-pro football team, now known as the Metro Mallers, hasn't won an Empire Football League championship in 17 years. The Mallers will try to change that Saturday night at Bleeker Stadium when they host Orange County for the EFL Championship.

Head Coach Norman Mann and the Mallers are in the title game for the second straight season. They lost last year's big game after going 10-1 during the regular season. But the Mallers enter this year's championship undefeated, a perfect 11-0.

In the 1970s and 80s, Albany's semi-pro team was considered one of the best in the country. It certainly looks like the Mallers are back.

Quarterback Scott Lawson said, "I think this is the first time in this league that anybody has had the opportunity to finish undefeated. In two years we have gotten to this point and I don't think we could be more pumped."

Mann said, "You know I have a saying, 'the only team that should beat us are our own selves.' And that's what happened in last year's game. We actually beat ourselves. To have the off season that we had – we've done a lot of recruiting, we've added ball players to certain spots that we were weak at last year. Because of that, we've taken right off."

Mallers savor return to glory

Albany-based semipros are 11-0, playing for title

By PETE IORIZZO, Staff writer
First published: Thursday, October 20, 2005

Albany
Practice begins in 23 minutes. Players dress behind their cars in the Bleecker Stadium parking lot. Rap music blares from an SUV's speakers. The stadium lights flicker on as dusk sets in. 

 

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Akili Duncan, whose semiprofessional football career spans more than a decade, steps onto the grass field. Duncan is 33 years old. He works as a teaching assistant at Kipp Tech Valley Charter School in Albany. He has three children.

"Why do I do this?" he says. "A chance for one more down, man. One more down."

Duncan jogs toward midfield, where between 40 and 50 players dressed in tattered sweats and mismatched jerseys prepare to practice a brand of football that's anything but ragtag.

The Albany Metro Mallers, a semiprofessional team in the Empire Football League, finished an undefeated regular season (11-0) Sept. 24. On Saturday at Bleecker Stadium, they play the Orange County Bulldogs for a chance at their first championship since 1989.

For the organization, the game represents an opportunity to reclaim status as one of the country's best semipro teams. For the players, it's one more chance at fulfilling a dream.

"Maybe it's no big deal to the average person," quarterback Scott Lawson says. "Maybe they don't understand. But there's something about this that just makes us crazy."

Crazy? Just look at their routines.

Lawson, 36, wakes up by 5 a.m. every morning to report to work at Rifenburg Construction Inc., where he's a manager. He often heads directly from work to practice. Despite a height of, "Oh, say 6-foot," and a weight of "2 ... 15 ... about," he has played quarterback his entire career.

Mallers coach Norman Mann lives in Plainfield, N.J. For practices and games, he commutes 2 hours to Albany after leaving work at Newark Liberty International Airport. Mann shrugs off suggestions his routine is anything exceptional. One season he flew to Fairfax, Va., three times a week to coach the Virginia Storm.

"I love the sport," Mann says. "As long as I'm doing this, I don't care, I'll go to Canada."

For the first two decades after their 1971 inauguration, the Mallers embodied the blue-collar, hard-working characteristics of both their players and namesakes -- the laborers who constructed Albany's Empire State Plaza. The team played in the league title game seven times -- winning twice -- and became one of the EFL's flagship franchises.

But 13 years ago, a group of investors from Troy bought the Mallers and changed their name to the Collar City Chiefs and then Capitaland Thunder. The franchise lost games, players and its reputation.

"We were the bad boys of the league," Duncan says. "Back then, we'd be at a game, like in Watertown, and guys would be chasing the referees back to their cars. We had a black eye."

In 2004, the Mallers returned under their original name, with local businessman Frank Rogers as owner and former player Joe Barbagallo as general manager. Barbagallo brought 88 players to the team's first minicamp. He found players at the University at Albany, RPI, Union College and Hudson Valley Community College, among other places. Former players also returned.

"I knew we had something special going," Barbagallo said.

Barbagallo then hired Mann, a coach with more than 25 years of semipro experience. At the first team meeting in the East Greenbush Community Library, Mann asked all the players to stand and introduce themselves. As each player spoke, others interrupted with wisecracks. Mann allowed the scene to play out, then told the team, "First of all, we need to learn to respect each other."

He changed codes of conduct and vowed more discipline. If a starter misses a practice, he plays second string during the next game. Any player who skips two practices risks not playing at all. Mann demanded players act like professional athletes off the field.

"Discipline was the biggest thing," Mann says. "We had to have the discipline. This is the first team I've coached in a long time that averages 40 to 45 players at every practice."

The Mallers reaped results immediately. They lost only twice last year, once during the regular season and then in the championship game. This year, the Mallers started their season by allowing only eight points over the first six games while averaging 34. They're led by Lawson's 1,510 yards passing, the rushing tandem of Jadel Whitfield (514 yards) and Sylvester Cooperwood (397), and middle linebacker Greg Woodward's 63 tackles.

"The talent here is top-notch," Woodward says. "We're going to bring this one home. I guarantee we're going to bring this one home."

Duncan stands near the sideline while the special teams practice on one side of the field and the offense and defense line up on the other. He plans to soon end his football career to concentrate on his professional one. He hopes to earn his master's degree in education administration and, someday, become a superintendent.

"This has been fun," he says, "but there are some other things I've got to take care of now."

He straps on his helmet and trots back onto the field. Before all that, Duncan has at least one more down to play.

Iorizzo can be reached at 454-5425 or by e-mail at piorizzo@timesunion.com.

All Times Union materials copyright 1996-2005, Capital Newspapers Division of The Hearst Corporation, Albany, N.Y.

Empire Football League Championship Game Webcast October 22, 2005

Empire Football League Press Release October 21, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (877)624-4485 e-mail: empirefoot@aol.com website: www.empire-football-league.com The Empire Football League is proud to announce that this year’s Championship Game between the Orange County Bulldogs and the Albany Metro Mallers will be broadcast FREE coast to coast and around the world via the internet. Bill Callahan, Empire League Historian and AFA Hall of Fame Broadcaster, will be handling the announcing chores working with Teamline from Ohio. "I have had the privilege of broadcasting the last five EFL Championship games on Television. The EFL Championship game is always very competitive and this year will be no exception. I am honored and thrilled to be in the booth for another EFL Classic!", Callahan stated. When asked who he thought would win, Callahan said, " Really too close prognosticate...you'll have to tune in to your computer and find out....." Callahan went on the say " The advantage of internet broadcasting is that it allows people ANYWHERE to access the game; you are not restricted by limited broadcast signals. I discovered this when I did internet broadcasts for the Albany Conquest of Arena2 in 2002. Relatives of the players and coaches from all around the United States were able to follow their loved ones play." Game time is 7:30 p.m. Saturday October 22nd ...The Broadcast will start at 7:20. To access the game click:

Sponsors of this broadcast include:
·Empire Football League
·American Football Association
·Semi Pro Football Headquarters
·MediaMorphis
·VirtualHomeBiz
·EFL Logo Products and Cafe Press
·Webgame Stats
·Pre-Paid Legal Services
·Bonus Tree
·iGive
·Sports Supply Group

AFA RESPONDS TO THE SEMI-PRO vs. MINOR LEAGUE TERMINOLOGY CONFUSION

AFA Press Release October 17, 2005 AFA RESPONDS TO THE SEMI-PRO vs. MINOR LEAGUE TERMINOLOGY CONFUSION RUNNING RAMPANT IN FOOTBALL CYBERSPACE 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 rules on the side of tradition rather then calling their football level something it's not. For more than 100 years the term "Semi-Pro-Football" has been an acronym for the "adult amateur community football level" with local teams providing venues for predominately homegrown players to continue being active in the sport they played locally as youth, high school and college athletes. Annually more than 50,000 adult players, coaches and team administrators participate in the semi-pro football levels from coast-to-coast. They play for the love of the game and whatever local recognition they can attain to prove to their families, friends and peers that they are (as the AFA motto implies) . . ."Semi-Pro and Proud" . . . to help continue a century old sports tradition. By Ron Real - AFA President If you need a dictionary to help you realize what level of the sport your team is playing at these days you probably are someone who surfs between websites of the self-professed experts on the subject and is influenced by confusing message board postings from those who seem to know all the answers regarding the current status of adult amateur football in the United States. Forget what Mr. Webster has to say about the differences between the 'words' Amateur, Semi-pro, Minor League and Professional when related to the sport of football. He doesn't run a league, own a team or play the game (as far as I know) as a non-paid weekend warrior - so why then would we try to let him settle the minor league vs. semi-pro football dispute by thumbing through the pages of his big book of 'words' and their 'definitions'. . . . as they have nothing whatsoever to do with the sport of football. If we were looking for a pecking order that makes sense with the rest of the sports world(s) then I would agree that the term minor league should be held in higher esteem than the term semi-pro, although Mr. Webster doesn't seem to agree. His term for semi-pro is that the participants on that level don't get paid as well as the pros and don't play the game as a full time way of making a living. Add to the confusion the word 'semi' (half) and relate it to a salary for performing ones talents on a football field - post college age - and every adult amateur (semi-pro) player in the country would be glad to try to get by on only half (or any of) the amount of the paychecks their NFL counterparts collect. Contrary to what some people are trying to confuse the issue with these days - players on AFA semi-pro teams are not allowed to be paid for their services and as such retain their 'amateur' status. Whereas his (Webster and company) definition for minor league sports is 'one that is not a major league but may have an affiliation with one' - is more like it. With that said, I'd be more than happy to recognize any eleven-man football league in the country that can prove they have an official affiliation with a major professional football league - and if that isn't the case - those leagues claiming to be creditable minor leagues are simply trying to establish they are something . . . they really aren't. If those leagues (and teams) promoting themselves as minor leagues were actually able to live up to the minor league sports moniker, they would be so busy right now sending 'their' players up to the NFL to replace those players who have gone down with season ending injuries that those leagues wouldn't have time to - forfeit league games or try to romance semi-pro teams away from other leagues. If they were actually 'football development' leagues, as some profess to be to their players - they would now be scurrying to find places on their rosters for those hundreds of players 'cut' by NFL teams after their final roster cuts took place. After all, isn't that what happens in other sports with actual 'minor league' systems. "The term semi-pro football has a negative connotation to it", say many adult amateur team and league promoters. "We don't want to be saddled with carrying around that black eye created by semi-pro teams in our area in the past who left town owing money for football fields, equipment, printing, newspaper, radio/TV advertising and such. So, they think all they have to do is call themselves 'minor league' and that makes everything better - and more business like. Wrong! The new wave of minor league promoters can fool the players because they want them to think they are on a par with their counterparts in other minor league sports like baseball, hockey, basketball and now even soccer and the players want to think the same. Many players are quick to swallow the bait because they think they're only inches away from being discovered by an NFL pro scout. While the movers and shakers of those new 'minor league(s)' have been able to use cyberspace technology to impress some post high school and post college players - they still haven't been able to convince the national or even their local medias that "minor league football" is any different than semi-pro football - only spelled differently. No matter what you call it - semi-pro/minor league/adult amateur - our game doesn't attract many Division I players from college football factories that the pros may have some interest in. With that said, I certainly don't intend to discourage any young athletes who want to pursue their dream of 'turning-pro' with a stint in the lower levels of the game as a stepping stone. While our level does have a few success stories over the years of players making it to the big time (NFL) . . . those stories are few and far between - and have absolutely nothing to do with whether those players calling themselves minor league or semi-pro or even adult amateur for that matter. Not since the early 50's, 60's and late 70's has a successful minor league pipeline provided venues for undiscovered footballers to make it to the 'big show'. Not that it couldn't happen again - but it will take a lot more money to put together than the average non-professional team has access to - or the average football fan has an interest in. While we are quick to point out some of our level's success stories like Eric Swann, first round NFL draft choice of the Arizona Cardinals in 1991, those tales are rare also. True, Swann never played a down of college football and was 'discovered' while playing for the Bay State Titans on the east coast. Truth to be known, Eric's agent placed him with the Titans to establish some defensive 'stats' and a game film 'profile' beyond his high school career. Swann would have been discovered by the NFL scouting system just walking out of some Gold's Gym - somewhere. So, in essence, semi-pro football can't really claim Swann as one of our development prodigies - but we certainly can take credit for providing him a place to record on film his post high school football talents - making it possible for his agent to build a case for the NFL to draft him and make him a professional football super star (and instant millionaire) - without first making a name for himself playing college ball. Why is it over the years those leagues across the country calling themselves 'minor league' seem to have such a high mortality rate while those not afraid to call themselves semi-pro have stood the test of time? The American Football Association has semi-pro teams as members that are more than a hundred years old; complete leagues that have been around for twenty, thirty and forty years. It's called 'tradition'. And what is it those semi-pro teams coast-to-coast have over those pretending to be something they are not (minor league)? It's tradition and they're proud of their semi-pro heritage and what it means to their respective football communities. A few years back the AFA anticipated the misunderstanding between those promoting their leagues as minor league and those not afraid to continue the semi-pro football tradition. So much so that the AFA adopted our national association slogan as "Semi-Pro and Proud" and encouraged our member teams to use it in promoting their football organizations to their local press. In my 25 years as president of the American Football Association I have seen more than a handful of 'professional' and 'minor professional' football leagues come and go leaving in their wake millions of dollars in debts to local (and national) sporting goods companies, community businesses and the newspaper industries as well. Not to mention the number of players whose lives were turned upside down by those start-up pro leagues with their promises of big time money contracts . . . that never materialized, or in some cases took legal action to satisfy. If this is true, and we all know it is, why then isn't professional football saddled with the fear of the carrying around the same black eye syndrome that semi-pro football is made to wear every time something goes a little out of whack on our level? Why is it that if a fight breaks out on the field during a semi-pro game it's considered "another black-eye" for the lower level of the sport (not that we condone that type of unsportsmanlike behavior)? But, if a fight breaks out during a professional sports event it's considered 'national news' and the incident highlight tapes are run and re-run over and over again on every TV network and front page sports section in the country - until a war or another natural disaster comes along to captures the nation's interest - and knocks the fight footage off the air. Good thing sports 'black-eyes' aren't handed out for substance abuse, steroid consumption, driving under the influence convictions, spousal abuse and/or the variety of other things professional athletes tend to bring attention to themselves with. I could be wrong but I don't think the media hands out 'national black-eye' awards to professional athletes . . . until after they have 'whiffed' (and appealed) on a pro league’s "3 strikes and you’re out" ruling. Semi-Pro people don't get the opportunity to appeal their problems in the press - they just get a "race track" around their eye and a bad name in the sports industry. Why is it then everyone is so quick to lay the sports 'black-eye' albatross around the neck of semi-pro teams, players, coaches and administrators when things don't go the way they're planned for the local semi-pro'ers? It has been brought to my attention that some internet message board postings say that the National Football League does not like the term semi-pro football (although I've never heard that from them) because of the negative vibes it normally carries with it and that the concept of promoting a true development league would be something they could warm up to if it was structured properly. Structured by whom? Believe me, when (and if) the NFL wants a minor league development system for football it will have one. And, you can bet they won't ask the permission of any of our current day 'minor league football promoters' first either. For the time being the NFL will just have to struggle along with beating the bushes of those leagues they already have a financial interest in - like NFL Europe, the Canadian League and of course the Arena 1 & 2 leagues (which they own) to find their future hopefuls. Oh, did I forget the college draft? Silly of me not to mention that annual windfall of potential professional gridiron stars that the NFL spends millions of dollars researching each year - called college football. Many insiders consider it a 'free' development league. Nothing free about it - and it's the NFL's prime talent pool. While it is unlikely that the American Football Association's level of the game (semi-pro) will ever mean anything to the NFL other than a place where football 'history' traces the NFL's early roots back to more than three/quarters of a century ago - it is likely that you will see the AFA working hard in the near future to bring more meaning to the term "Semi-Pro and Proud" . . . to the teams and leagues in the local football communities it serves. Whether or not a true minor league football development system will ever become a reality in this country - remains to be seen. The one thing that does remain constant in the wonderful world of American rules football is - there will always be Pro-Football, thanks to the NFL . . . and there will always be Semi-Pro Football, thanks to the AFA and the thousands of dedicated volunteers across the country that continue to keep the tradition alive. NEXT MONTH’S FEATURE STORY: IF YOU WERE SUDDENLY CONVICTED OF PROMOTING SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY . . .Would There Be Enough Evidence? American Football Association

Semi-pro Football Scoreboard 10/7/2005 thru 10/9/2005

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*         Semi-pro Football Scoreboard         *
*          10/7/2005 thru 10/9/2005
*                                              *
*         Provided as a service by the         *
*        American Football Association         *
*     http://www.AmericanFootballAssn.com/     *
*     http://www.AmericanFootballNews.org/     *
* http://www.eteamz.com/minorleaguehalloffame/ *
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*** Empire Football League ***
Albany (NY) Metro Mallers 23, Lake City (NY) Stars 0

*** Ironman Football League ***
Fond du Lac (WI) Crusaders 24, Milwaukee (WI) Venom 15
Lake Country (WI) Cyclones 14, West Allis (WI) Predators 6
Madison (WI) Seminoles 50, Milwaukee (WI) Maniacs 6
Milwaukee (WI) Bulldogs 27, Milwaukee (WI) Cyclones 0
Muskego (WI) Hitmen 37, West Milwaukee (WI) Gladiators 0

*** Mason-Dixon Football League ***
Cumberland (MD) Cougars 22, Arbutus (MD) Big Red 9

*** Mid-Continental Football League ***
Cleveland (OH) Lions 38, Central Ohio Lions 6
Detroit (MI) Seminoles 33, Kings (OH) Comets 0

*** Associates ***
Baltimore (MD) Warriors 33, Virginia Thunder 13
Bensalem (PA) Packers 14, North Philly (PA) Cowboys 6
California Raiders 35, Yucca Valley (CA) Spartans 0
Hudson County (NJ) Stars 21, New Jersey Longhorns 6
Inglewood (CA) Blackhawks 41, North County (CA) Cobras 0
Irvington (NJ) Knights 14, Long Island (NY) Ravens 8
Kane County (IL) Eagles 39, Racine (WI) Raiders 26
Leyden (IL) Lions 45, Chicago (IL) Wolverines 12
Long Island (NY) Panthers 6, Claymont (PA) Buccaneers 0 (OT)
Los Angeles (CA) Gunslingers 42, Long Beach (CA) All-Americans 0
Los Angeles (CA) Scorpions 18, Inland Empire (CA) Blitz 14
Mid-State (IL) Steel 28, Lafayette (IN) Lions 14
Milwaukee (WI) Fury 37, Milwaukee (WI) Warriors 16
Moreno Valley (CA) Mercury 15, California Dolphins 7
Orangeburg (SC) Ruff Riders 22, Carolina (SC) Titans 14
San Diego (CA) Thunder 28, San Luis Obispo (CA) Panthers 7
Southern California Smash 38, San Diego (CA) Warriors 13
Southern California Steelers 41, Long Beach (CA) Lions 7
Vermont Ice Storm 35, Woonsocket (RI) Sentinels 6
Virginia Hurricanes 40, Philadelphia (PA) Scorpions 10
West Bend (WI) Junkyard Dogs 59, Green Bay (WI) Eagles 0
West Coast (CA) Sharks 13, Compton (CA) Jaguars 12
Wisconsin Predators 38, Washington County (WI) Patriots 14