Empire Football League

Zephyrs fall short

CHATEAUGUAY, QUEBEC — The Amsterdam Zephyrs started their first ever Empire Football League playoff game against the Chateauguay Titans with just over 11 players .

The final was 19-17 in favor of the Titans.

Many Zephyrs could not cross the Canadian border and therefore could not make the trip to the Montreal area. The Zephyrs were so short-handed that their head coach Dom Ruggeri had to suit up and play left offensive tackle.

Mike Philo scored a 5-yard rushing score in the second quarter while quarterback Ken Shaefer hit Bo Goodreau for a 7-yard scoring pass. Alvaro Montez kicked a field goal for the Zephyrs.

Chateauguay scored both of their touchdowns on passes 7 and 30 yards out. The Zephyrs blocked an extra point, but Chateauguay kicked two field goals which set up the 19-17 final.

Amsterdam drove inside Chateauguay's 30 yard line twice in the fourth quarter but came up just short of being in field goal range. The team finishes 5-6 overall.

"The offense did well but key penalties in the second half hurt us. We were very short handed and I can't say enough about these guys. I'm proud of what this team did and accomplished this season," Ruggeri said.