Saturday, August 02, 2008
EFL Pre Game Press Coverage August 2
R&B takes on nemesis
TITLE REMATCH:
By MATT CORDOVA
TIMES SPORTSWRITER
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008
Tonight's Empire Football League game has "big" written all over it for the Watertown Red and Black.
For so many reasons.
The team has a chance to avenge its one-point loss to the Vermont Ice Storm in last year's title game, but
"After all those years of being the prominent team, when 3-2 would have been a rough start, I knew this year would be just the opposite," head coach George Ashcraft said. "I knew this would be a rebuilding year."
The team has the chance tonight to make more progress than it has all year. Starting quarterback Brian Green has returned, and he showed in a preseason win over Massena that his arm is to be respected.
Green's presence also allows running back Anthony Noel, who played QB in the two losses, to return to his natural position.
Having all its parts back might make the Red and Black's winless record a bit deceiving.
"We're not used to not winning," Noel said. "We definitely have a point to make. We've been excited for this game since the beginning of the year. We plan to come out strong and put points on the board."
"The attitude was super for having a week off," Ashcraft said. "These guys aren't ready to pack it in for any reason and say the season's over."
Still, the memory of two one-point losses a year ago lingers.
"This game means a lot," receiver Lester Cole said. "It's like the championship all over again."
Zephyrs visiting Quebec
By TONY PASTORE
Recorder Sports Staff
The Amsterdam Zephyrs enter Week 4 of the Empire Football League season with a long trip to
Last season, the Zephyrs split the regular season series with the Titans — losing on the road 34-18 and winning at home 35-28. The Zephyrs then lost, 19-17, on the road in the playoffs.
The biggest factor in the Zephyrs' loss to the then Chateauguay Titans was the failure of the majority of the roster to gain entry at the Canadian border.
The Zephyrs' new head coach, Tom Manny, says that lack of personnel will not be a problem this time around.
"We're looking at 34 crossing the border this time," Manny said. "It's a good number based on injuries and other reasons why some players won't make the trip."
The Zephyrs will be close to full strength on offense, with quarterback Ken Schaefer, fullback Elijah White and wide receiver Cedrick Pear-man being able to make the trip.
Running backs Tarquan Pearman and Jason Newborn will not be going to
With two running backs out, Manny is planning on using White as a significant part of the game plan.
"Elijah will get a bunch of carries. We will be utilizing him a lot," Manny said. "He did not miss a beat on Saturday against
Manny also expects Que-bec's approach to the game to be similar to last season.
"
The starting defense will be available but two backup defensive lineman will not make the trip.
The Zephyrs are currently 0-1 with a bye in Week 1 followed by a 25-24 loss to the Plattsburgh North Stars in Week 2. In Week 3, they were leading 26-19 in the third quarter at home against the Ottawa Deacon Demons before the game was suspended due to a lightning storm.
That game will count as a Zephyrs win if it turns out that the contest has no bearing on the playoff picture. If it does, then
Published August 02, 2008 08:45 am - Unbeaten Plattsburgh leads the Empire Football League after 3 weeks.
North Stars head to
By NICK ST. DENIS
Staff Writer
PLATTSBURGH -- The Plattsburgh North Stars are back on the road again.
A 3-0 start has put the team at the top of the Empire Football League standings, and a
But the team will need to be up to the task tonight if it wants to keep a zero in the loss column for another week, as it travels to
The
"In a way,
Harkes reached the end zone twice in each of the team's three games, though running back isn't the only duty that he is assigned in
He also leads the team in receptions and receiving touchdowns.
"We have to be aware of where he is, because they do a lot with him," Keleher said. "They want to get the ball to that guy, so defensively we have to be very aware of where he is at all times."
"We're running the ball at an efficient level where we don't have to throw it 30 times to win," Keleher said.
He added that a good mix is important because it keeps opposing defenses honest and prevents them from bringing too many players up to the line or dropping too many back into coverage.
"They have to play straight-up defense against us to honor either or," he said. "That's what you want."
However, 31 of those passes went for completions, with seven resulting in touchdowns.
"He's more comfortable with the offense (this season)," Keleher said. "He's seeing the opposing defense better to make better choices
Nolan has clearly embraced his role in the offense, as his 2008 numbers make his five touchdowns and six interceptions last season in the five games he started old news.
The Stars' signal-caller has thrown just two interceptions, and his 70 percent completion average helps put his quarterback rating at an almost perfect 133.5.
"That alone shows that he's got a much better understanding of what the offense is doing," Keleher added.
"The exciting thing from my perspective is that he's still learning. He's only going to get better."
The learning curve is a factor that has pleased Keleher not only with Nolan, but with the rest of the team as well.
In the Stars' 56-7 rout of Massena last week, he was able to get a variety of players time on the field.
"Last week was good because we got a lot of guys playing time, and again was another opportunity to evaluate some of the younger players," he said. "I'm real pleased with the progress of some of the younger guys."
Backup running back James Currier continued to prove his potential in the game not only on offense, but defense as well.
Currier, who played outside linebacker on defense when not at running back, made himself known by Massena's offense with numerous big hits throughout the game.
"I thought he showed a lot of good things in that position with the way he reacted and played."
Tonight's long road trip throws another element into the mix.
The only time
"It's not like high school where the furthest trip is an hour away," Keleher said. "We're on a bus for four hours and we've got to get off and play. That's not something all of the guys are accustomed to."
Zephyrs heading north of the border to face Quebec
By MIKE ZUMMO, The Leader-Herald
POSTED: August 2, 2008
CHATEAUGAY,
"They have an outstanding quarterback," Zephyrs coach Tom Manny said. "He's number one in the league at this point in time. They'll throw the ball 25 to 30 times per game and they have a solid running back that's given them good production so far this year."
Kevin Wyeth torched the Ice Storm last week completing 19 of 33 passes for 280 yards and threw one touchdown. However, Wyeth was undone last week by interceptions as the Ice Storm picked him off three times in the game.
Wyeth's favorite target was Kevin Lloyd, who caught nine of those passes for 134 yards. He also found Treldon James five times for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Recardo Moreau rushed the ball 13 times for the Titans last week and accumulated 58 yards. The Titans overall rushed for 103 yards as they totaled 404 yards of offense, with most of it coming through the air.
"We're going to be utilizing our blitz packages more than we did," Manny said. "Last week, we took the passing game away from
Manny said the Zephyrs' defense showed more positives than negatives in last week's suspended game against
"It boils down to how successful the defense is because I know we're capable of scoring 30 points when we have to," Manny said. "The defense has to step up, give us a couple of turnovers and give us a bunch of three-and-outs. The in becomes a field-position game and we can win a field-position game."
The Zephyrs had the offense going strong for most of last week's game against
Offensively, Elijah White had gained 46 yards on four carries with Cedrick Pearman adding some speed to the Zephyrs' ground attack with 29 yards on three carries.
Quarterback Ken Schaefer also added to the rushing attack with 32 yards on five carries. He also completed 8 out of 12 for 117 yards.
"We want to get the ball in Elijah's hands more [today] and Kenny's Kenny," Manny said. "With the weapons we have, there's nothing worse a coaching staff can do than not utilize them. We can use the run to set up on the pass. On a different series, we'll be using more diverse sets. We'll be shifting more and using more motion."
The Zephyrs will be using more motion, Manny said, because the Titans like to show their opponents different looks from the defensive side of the football.
"Defensively, they like to mix it up," Manny said. "They will blitz from different angles and they're predominately a zone coverage team in the secondary."
The Titans were vulnerable through the air in their loss to
R&B takes on nemesis
TITLE REMATCH:
By MATT CORDOVA
TIMES SPORTSWRITER
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008
Tonight's Empire Football League game has "big" written all over it for the Watertown Red and Black.
For so many reasons.
The team has a chance to avenge its one-point loss to the Vermont Ice Storm in last year's title game, but
"After all those years of being the prominent team, when 3-2 would have been a rough start, I knew this year would be just the opposite," head coach George Ashcraft said. "I knew this would be a rebuilding year."
The team has the chance tonight to make more progress than it has all year. Starting quarterback Brian Green has returned, and he showed in a preseason win over Massena that his arm is to be respected.
Green's presence also allows running back Anthony Noel, who played QB in the two losses, to return to his natural position.
Having all its parts back might make the Red and Black's winless record a bit deceiving.
"We're not used to not winning," Noel said. "We definitely have a point to make. We've been excited for this game since the beginning of the year. We plan to come out strong and put points on the board."
"The attitude was super for having a week off," Ashcraft said. "These guys aren't ready to pack it in for any reason and say the season's over."
Still, the memory of two one-point losses a year ago lingers.
"This game means a lot," receiver Lester Cole said. "It's like the championship all over again."
Zephyrs visiting Quebec
By TONY PASTORE
Recorder Sports Staff
The Amsterdam Zephyrs enter Week 4 of the Empire Football League season with a long trip to
Last season, the Zephyrs split the regular season series with the Titans — losing on the road 34-18 and winning at home 35-28. The Zephyrs then lost, 19-17, on the road in the playoffs.
The biggest factor in the Zephyrs' loss to the then Chateauguay Titans was the failure of the majority of the roster to gain entry at the Canadian border.
The Zephyrs' new head coach, Tom Manny, says that lack of personnel will not be a problem this time around.
"We're looking at 34 crossing the border this time," Manny said. "It's a good number based on injuries and other reasons why some players won't make the trip."
The Zephyrs will be close to full strength on offense, with quarterback Ken Schaefer, fullback Elijah White and wide receiver Cedrick Pear-man being able to make the trip.
Running backs Tarquan Pearman and Jason Newborn will not be going to
With two running backs out, Manny is planning on using White as a significant part of the game plan.
"Elijah will get a bunch of carries. We will be utilizing him a lot," Manny said. "He did not miss a beat on Saturday against
Manny also expects Que-bec's approach to the game to be similar to last season.
"
The starting defense will be available but two backup defensive lineman will not make the trip.
The Zephyrs are currently 0-1 with a bye in Week 1 followed by a 25-24 loss to the Plattsburgh North Stars in Week 2. In Week 3, they were leading 26-19 in the third quarter at home against the Ottawa Deacon Demons before the game was suspended due to a lightning storm.
That game will count as a Zephyrs win if it turns out that the contest has no bearing on the playoff picture. If it does, then
Published August 02, 2008 08:45 am - Unbeaten Plattsburgh leads the Empire Football League after 3 weeks.
North Stars head to
By NICK ST. DENIS
Staff Writer
PLATTSBURGH -- The Plattsburgh North Stars are back on the road again.
A 3-0 start has put the team at the top of the Empire Football League standings, and a
But the team will need to be up to the task tonight if it wants to keep a zero in the loss column for another week, as it travels to
The
"In a way,
Harkes reached the end zone twice in each of the team's three games, though running back isn't the only duty that he is assigned in
He also leads the team in receptions and receiving touchdowns.
"We have to be aware of where he is, because they do a lot with him," Keleher said. "They want to get the ball to that guy, so defensively we have to be very aware of where he is at all times."
"We're running the ball at an efficient level where we don't have to throw it 30 times to win," Keleher said.
He added that a good mix is important because it keeps opposing defenses honest and prevents them from bringing too many players up to the line or dropping too many back into coverage.
"They have to play straight-up defense against us to honor either or," he said. "That's what you want."
However, 31 of those passes went for completions, with seven resulting in touchdowns.
"He's more comfortable with the offense (this season)," Keleher said. "He's seeing the opposing defense better to make better choices
Nolan has clearly embraced his role in the offense, as his 2008 numbers make his five touchdowns and six interceptions last season in the five games he started old news.
The Stars' signal-caller has thrown just two interceptions, and his 70 percent completion average helps put his quarterback rating at an almost perfect 133.5.
"That alone shows that he's got a much better understanding of what the offense is doing," Keleher added.
"The exciting thing from my perspective is that he's still learning. He's only going to get better."
The learning curve is a factor that has pleased Keleher not only with Nolan, but with the rest of the team as well.
In the Stars' 56-7 rout of Massena last week, he was able to get a variety of players time on the field.
"Last week was good because we got a lot of guys playing time, and again was another opportunity to evaluate some of the younger players," he said. "I'm real pleased with the progress of some of the younger guys."
Backup running back James Currier continued to prove his potential in the game not only on offense, but defense as well.
Currier, who played outside linebacker on defense when not at running back, made himself known by Massena's offense with numerous big hits throughout the game.
"I thought he showed a lot of good things in that position with the way he reacted and played."
Tonight's long road trip throws another element into the mix.
The only time
"It's not like high school where the furthest trip is an hour away," Keleher said. "We're on a bus for four hours and we've got to get off and play. That's not something all of the guys are accustomed to."
Zephyrs heading north of the border to face Quebec
By MIKE ZUMMO, The Leader-Herald
POSTED: August 2, 2008
CHATEAUGAY,
"They have an outstanding quarterback," Zephyrs coach Tom Manny said. "He's number one in the league at this point in time. They'll throw the ball 25 to 30 times per game and they have a solid running back that's given them good production so far this year."
Kevin Wyeth torched the Ice Storm last week completing 19 of 33 passes for 280 yards and threw one touchdown. However, Wyeth was undone last week by interceptions as the Ice Storm picked him off three times in the game.
Wyeth's favorite target was Kevin Lloyd, who caught nine of those passes for 134 yards. He also found Treldon James five times for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Recardo Moreau rushed the ball 13 times for the Titans last week and accumulated 58 yards. The Titans overall rushed for 103 yards as they totaled 404 yards of offense, with most of it coming through the air.
"We're going to be utilizing our blitz packages more than we did," Manny said. "Last week, we took the passing game away from
Manny said the Zephyrs' defense showed more positives than negatives in last week's suspended game against
"It boils down to how successful the defense is because I know we're capable of scoring 30 points when we have to," Manny said. "The defense has to step up, give us a couple of turnovers and give us a bunch of three-and-outs. The in becomes a field-position game and we can win a field-position game."
The Zephyrs had the offense going strong for most of last week's game against
Offensively, Elijah White had gained 46 yards on four carries with Cedrick Pearman adding some speed to the Zephyrs' ground attack with 29 yards on three carries.
Quarterback Ken Schaefer also added to the rushing attack with 32 yards on five carries. He also completed 8 out of 12 for 117 yards.
"We want to get the ball in Elijah's hands more [today] and Kenny's Kenny," Manny said. "With the weapons we have, there's nothing worse a coaching staff can do than not utilize them. We can use the run to set up on the pass. On a different series, we'll be using more diverse sets. We'll be shifting more and using more motion."
The Zephyrs will be using more motion, Manny said, because the Titans like to show their opponents different looks from the defensive side of the football.
"Defensively, they like to mix it up," Manny said. "They will blitz from different angles and they're predominately a zone coverage team in the secondary."
The Titans were vulnerable through the air in their loss to
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