Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Keller resigned as Holy Cross football coach

05/28/2008
Keller resigned as Holy Cross football coach
BY JOBY FAWCETT
STAFF WRITER

One of the area's all-time coaches is leaving his post.


Allen "Butch" Keller, who has helped build and rebuild three different programs has resigned as head football coach at Holy Cross High School. The longtime mentor has coached high school football for 34 seasons, including stints at Honesdale and Western Wayne.

In 2004, he returned to coaching following a six-year layoff after suffering a heart attack and having five heart bypass surgeries, at Bishop O'Hara.

When Bishop O'Hara and Bishop Hannan closed in 2007, Holy Cross became the new Catholic School in Scranton, and Keller remained as coach.

In 34 seasons, he has a career record of 205-143-4. At Bishop O'Hara and Holy Cross, he took a program that went 8-32 in its previous 40 games to a record of 25-19.

"I'm walking away," the 63-year-old Keller said. "I gave them all that I could. Now it's somebody else's turn.

"I really enjoyed my time there when it was Bishop O'Hara. They treated me so nice. There were some growing pains after the merger."

During Keller's four seasons at Bishop O'Hara and Holy Cross, he joined forces with the parents' club. Keller, his assistant coaches, the parents and the players donated time and money to help renovate the stadium and facilities at St. Anthony's Playground.

Last summer, they repainted the stadium, changing it from the old blue and gold colors at Bishop O'Hara to the green, silver and black of Holy Cross.

Through his stay at Bishop O'Hara, the program steadily battled low roster numbers, but managed to go to the Eastern Conference Class A playoffs in 2005 and choosing to go in 2006, winning the title by beating South Williamsport.

"The first year we were .500, the next we were playing in the Eastern Conference playoffs and won it the next," Keller said. "I thought we were really doing well. We still have trouble with our schedule, but we were managing. I enjoyed the kids, the parents and the administration.

"Right now it's not for me."

Keller did not say that this resignation would bring to an end his coaching career. While a coach on the high school level, he was also a successful coach for the Scranton Eagles, the area's semi-professional team that played in the Empire Football League.

"We'll see what pops up," said Keller, who is a Hall of Fame coach in the American Football Association. "I'll coach somewhere. I'm not through."

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com

©The Times-Tribune 2008



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# posted by American Football Association : 5:27 AM

Monday, May 12, 2008

44 at Titans' pre-camp



Head coach John Mouland, right, supervises Chateauguay Titans' pre-camp at LPP last Saturday. (Photo Andrew Clark)

44 at Titans' pre-camp

Dan Rosenburg

The Chateauguay Titans of the Empire Football League attracted a whopping number of 44 players to their pre-camp at LPP last Saturday.

"I was particularly happy with the defence, which looked very good," disclosed head coach John Mouland. "The defence looks very strong and I think we will be OK on that side of the ball."

Defenders who especially impressed the kindly old coach were old standbys Andrew Blevings, Jean-Marc Michel, Mike Coles, Steve Crompton, Wesley Joseph, Chrstian Tinsley, Corvell Isaacs.

Newcomers that caught Mouland's eye included ex-Chateauguay Junior Raiders Clément Larivière, Junior Hall, Pat Herron, Max Labossière, Jocelyn Picard, Anyell Wilford and Desmond Thompson of Ottawa, who played in France the past two seasons.

Mouland believes the offence will require "a little more time to develop," however. Although he has found a reliable new punter in Tom Koncic, Mouland is still looking for a placekicker, failing which those duties will likely fall back on Blevings' brawny shoulders, er, toes.

Zan Symonds is back at quarterback, with David Roy also in camp. Running backs are spearheaded by perennial rushing leader Denis Houle and David Dottin. Once again the team boasts several top-flight receivers in Marvin Joseph, Tyrel Hoas, Sean Kennedy, Philippe Leduc, Zawdie Parahoo, Akked Moore, Treldon ÙJames and Kevin Lloyd.

A brand new coaching staff of offensive co-ordinator Geoff Brown, defensive co-ordinator Marc-André Guay, Bob Abbott (offensive line), Jeff Craig (wide receivers) and Mathieu Lapierre (linebackers) "are going to be very helpful this year," Mouland predicted.

The team starts training camp in earnest next month.



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# posted by American Football Association : 7:20 AM

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Tom Shultz & Rob Freeman Interviews ............................you be the judge

Thursday, May 8, 2008

5.8.8

If you're interested in learning the latest Semi-Pro football story in Watertown, then you'll have to listen to today's show. Glenn had Tom Shultz and Ambrose Sousa in the studio today, to discuss the latest 'off-field' battle between the organizers of the 'Red & Black' football team, and the newly formed 'Revolution' team owned by Tom Shultz. Listen to Tom's decision to create a team, and the callers who agreed and disagreed with his actions.
http://liveatfiveshow.blogspot.com/2008/05/588.html



Friday, May 9, 2008
5.9.8
Where there's one side of a story, there must be a second side to the same story. After yesterday's heated show with Tom Shultz, owner of the new 'Revolution' semi-pro football team, Glenn had Red & Black president Bob Freeman in to talk about their view of what's happening between the two entities and why. Listen as Glenn fields questions about this unfortunate collision between two local teams.
http://liveatfiveshow.blogspot.com/2008/05/598.html

# posted by American Football Association : 6:59 AM

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Empire Football League Press Release May 5, 2008

Empire Football League Press Release May 5, 2008

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(877) 624-4485
e-mail: empirefoot@aol.com
website: www.empire-football-league.com

 

The Empire Football League met in Amsterdam, May 4th to revise its 2008 season schedule due the admission of the Massena Silver & Black into the EFL.  The Massena franchise re-establishes semi pro football to an area with a rich semi pro legacy dating back to the early fifties. Latest Press Release: Semi-pro player from Denmark joins new Massena Silver & Black team

 

With the Broome County Dragons and Scranton Eagles both on leave of absence, this now results in 7 active teams for the 2008 season.

 

The EFL season starts July 12th, has bye August 30th and ends October 4th.  The EFL Playoffs are scheduled for October 11th and will conclude with the EFL Championship Game on October 18th.    

 

We are excited about the 2008 season and remain committed to providing the best semi pro football for our member teams and their communities.

 

2008 Revised EFL Schedule

 

 For additional information visit our EFL web site at www.empire-football-league.com




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# posted by American Football Association : 5:52 PM

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