Friday, October 19, 2007
Vermont Ice Storm head to nationals
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Storm head to nationals
By Bill O'Connor
Free Press Staff Writer
October 19, 2007
The Vermont Ice Storm are advancing to the national semiprofessional football playoffs, accepting an invitation to the Harvest Bowl.
The Colchester-based team is the No. 5-ranked semipro team in the nation and completed its regular season with a 15-0 record. The Ice Storm defeated the Watertown (N.Y.) Red & Black 9-8 on Saturday in the Empire Football League championship game.
Head coach Doc Perez said that the team's decision to continue its season at the national level was unanimous.
"We gave the players the whole hard work and sacrifice speech," he said. "They all wanted to keep going, though."
Perez said that going to the nationals could mean additional expenses and lots of travelling for the players.
The Harvest Bowl kicks off Nov. 3 and the Ice Storm will most likely play host to a first-round game at Colchester High School, depending on the team's seeding.
The Ice Storm have enjoyed success all season long, and as a result, 20 Vermont players have been selected to the EFL Eastern Division All-Stars.
Winning first-team honors on offense are: quarterback Brad Ruderman, who was also named the Eastern Division Offensive MVP for the second year in a row; wide receiver Rob Joy; offensive tackle Nate Furlong; offensive guard Jon Dubuc; and center Jeff Miller. Wideout Troy Canada also made the first-team as a kick-return specialist.
Making the first team on defense were linebackers Kevin Fournier and Donny Lafleur, defensive backs Kyle Bombardier and Scott Dennis, defensive tackle Lloyd White and defensive end Del Randall. Dennis also received the Eastern Division Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Second-team honors went to halfback Jason Young, fullback Jedediah Randall, offensive tackle Steve Rugar, wideout Austin Partain, defensive back Drew Gordon, linebackers Aaron Pyer and Chris Coppins, and place kicker Evan Hicks.
Perez was also honored as the Eastern Division Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Empire Football League Announces Vermont Ice Storm as 2007 EFL Champions
(PRWEB) October 17, 2007 -- The Empire Football League is proud to announce the Vermont Ice Storm as its 2007 EFL Champions. Vermont won their Empire Football League title Saturday over the Watertown Red & Black in one the the most exciting EFL Championship Games in recent years.
The Ice Storm defeated the Watertown Red & Black by the unusual score of 9-8 to complete a 15-0 season and secure the Empire Football League Championship. The Ice Storm led 3-0 until a fumbled punt return led to a Watertown score that made it 8-3 with four minutes left. The team drove 66 yards downfield and scored the game-winning touchdown with four seconds left on a 4-yard Brad Ruderman pass to Rob Joy.
EFL Playoffs & Championship Game Video
(click here): http://www.steveweedproductions.com/Red%20and%20Black%20Football.htm
The EFL is also proud to announce their All Star Selections for 2007
(click here): http://www.prweb.com/prfiles/2007/10/15/24479/EFLAllStarSelections.doc
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