Empire Football League

PLATTSBURGH — After nearly two months of practice to prepare for the 2005 Empire Football League season, the Lake City Stars finally will be able to line up against someone other themselves.

The Stars open with a preseason matchup against the Vermont Ice Storm tonight at Melissa L. Penfield Park with game time scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Tonight’s game is one which Lake City head coach Ed McCallister hardly calls a preseason contest.

"This is not really a preseason game," McCallister said. "This is a good opening league game for us; a game with a lot of intensity with nothing but pride on the line. There will be a lot of emotion on both sides of the ball."

The Ice Storm, who finished 9-1 last season and in second place in the New England Football League AA Division, kicked off their preseason contests last Saturday with a 34-6 win over the St. Lawrence Valley Trailblazers, who the Stars will see during the E.F.L. season.

Vermont quarterback Brad Ruderman threw a pair of touchdowns — one to former Lake City Star Troy Canada and the other a 50-yard bomb to Rob Joy. Fullback Aaron Pryor and running back Misbah Karim each crossed the goal line for the Ice Storm out of the backfield. A.J. Olden completed the scoring for Vermont with a 104-yard interception return.

"We are looking forward to tonight," McCallister said. "With the temperatures rising the guys are really getting sick of hitting each other.

"The Ice Storm have a key addition in Rob Joy. Joy played with the (Green Mountain) Gladiators the last few years and contemplated joining the Stars. He is a tight end, but is extremely quick — a really good receiver. Teamed with Troy Canada and Scott Aguglia, they have a pretty formidable receiving corps."

The Stars have yet to lose to their Vermont rivals with three victories and one tie. The tie occurred in 2002 after a power outage cut short play.

"We physically have been able to dominate them," McCallister said. "But the games have been close. They are always a good starter game for us.

"They have won a championship in the New England Football League. They are able to boast trophies that we do not have. Due to the close proximity between the two teams a natural rivalry has been formed."

McCallister is looking to see where his team is at with tonight’s game, but is also looking to come away with a victory.

"Being a preseason game, ideally I want to get as many people on the field as I can," McCallister said. "But we already know what we are going to open up with to start the season as far as personnel.

"Obviously, our first goal is coming out of the game healthy. We want to go out and see if we will execute and if we know our schemes defensively and offensively. But we also want to win and improve for the upcoming weeks."

The Ice Storm exhibitions have been tough on the Stars, physically Twice, in the past four years, the Stars lost their starting quarterback to injury — including last year’s meeting when Eddie Castine went down with a knuckle injury after hitting his hand on an opponent’s helmet.

"I am excited to finally get out on the football field," McCallister said. "I got great news that Garvey Hyundai will be sponsoring the game for us, which is a big plus. Good things are happening and hopefully that will continue tonight."

No. Name Position
1 Marlowe Boylan QB
2 Matt St. Clair WR/FS
3 Eddie Castine QB
6 James Blocker TE/SE
7 Michael Lawyer LB
8 Matt Chodatt LB
9 Jason Morrow TB
10 Kellen Nolan FS/QB
11 Evan Murphy CB
14 Frank Chamberlain DB
21 Heath Geiser TB
22 Shane Racette WR
23 Rosario Gallo WR
26 Brandon Kelleher LB/FB
29 Duane Godfrey TB/FB
31 Vern Harrison TB
33 Earl Parks CB
35 Benny Kravitz DB
37 Travis Tipton LB
38 Tanner Currier DB
39 David Douglas DB
40 Abraham Ruvcalabo FB
42 Ronnie Foster LB/TB
44 Kyle Nolan FB/LB
46 Jake Maye FB/TE
51 Mike Thwaits DL
53 Nick Lacroix OL
54 Brent Rasco LB
55 Russell Gallo LB
56 Eric Bjornstad LB
57 Billy Ball LB
61 Joe Bushey C
64 Craig Lamoy DL
66 Mike Archer ORT
67 Adam Frennier OL
68 Earl Bousquet DL
70 Joe Licardi DL
73 Keith Bushey OLT
75 Kelsey Lenny ORG
76 Lan Lamondie OL/DL
77 Nick Moore OLG
79 Nick Weaver T
84 Chris Verkey WR
87 Gus Terry K/WR
88 Caleb Park WR
90 Brad Deforge DL
95 Billy Thwaits DL
99 Don Tambini DL