Saturday, September 26, 2009
EFL Pre Game Press Releases September 26, 2009
Dragons start EFL playoffs Saturday
Staff report • September 24, 2009
Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Lynch Field.
The fourth-seeded Dragons (5-5) topped Vermont (3-7) during the regular season, winning 28-13 on Aug. 15. Adam Good threw two touchdowns passes, and Joe Johnson rushed for 105 yards for Broome County.
"We have to establish our ground game, that's for sure, against Vermont," head coach Tom Manny said, adding that opened up the passing attack. "It's not going to be an easy game. Vermont has played very well. ... They've had some tough luck, but they're a tough ball club."
In the other first-round matchup, No. 6 Massena plays No. 3 Plattsburgh. Top-seeded Watertown and No. 2 Quebec have first-round byes.
Published September 26, 2009 01:01 am - Plattsburgh looks for 10th win of football season, a plateau reached along twice before.
Stars host Massena tonight
PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh North Stars will play their first home playoff game since 2003 when they host the Massena Silver and Black Raiders tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Penfield Park.
With a victory, it would be just the third time the team has won 10 games in a season in the club's history, alongside a 10-4 season in 1994 and an 11-4 record in 1995.
Also, the team's 7-7 Empire Football League record ties the 1994, 2003 and 2006 seasons as the second best regular-season record in team history.
"I'm very happy with the year we've had so far," Stars coach Pat Keleher said. Keleher, who is in his third season as head coach, won four games in 2007, eight in 2008 and looks to reach the double-digit mark tonight.
"We have a good core-group of guys, and each year we've added some key pieces," Keleher said.
Massena comes to town having lost to Plattsburgh by a total score of 80-6 in two games. However, Keleher's squad isn't taking the Silver and Black lightly.
"We've beaten them pretty handily twice, but what worries me is they've played everyone else, besides us and Watertown, tough," he said.
With a 1-9 record, Massena lost consecutive games to Binghamton and Vermont by two and one point, respectively. The Silver and Black has lost three other games by just eight points or less.
"Primarily, we're just looking to get back to executing well," Keleher said. "I thought there was point mid-season when we were playing very well, but offensively we kind of sputtered since Labor Day break."
=0 AOverall, Keleher has still been pleased with the offense as quarterback Ken Stay, running back Brandon Keleher and receiver Kelly Gordon each lead the league in their respective positions.
"We're hoping to get back to spreading the ball around offensively," Keleher said. "Running hard and making teams play honest on defense."
2009 North Stars Statistical Leaders
(Overall, Empire Football League)
Offense
Rushing
B. Keleher- 150-930-8, 126-735-6 (#1 EFL). Z. Blocker- 64-385-2, 64-385-2. E. Parks- 39-209-2, 35-194-2. K. Nolan- 24-97-3, 24-97-3.
Passing
K. Stay- 125-255-1595-12TD-10int, 115-199-1287-11TD-10int (#1 EFL)
Receiving
K. Gordon- 36-502-7, 33-445-6 (#1 EFL). M. St. Clair- 22-288-1, 16-208-1 (#8 EFL). C. Fish- 21-277-2 16-200-2 #9 EFL. J. Keleher- 18-217-0, 15-175-0 (#10 EFL).
Defense
Tackles
Godfrey- 75, 66 (#2 EFL). J. McCray- 54, 50 (#9 EFL). Gibson- 54, 46. Babbie- 53, 48. St. John- 47, 42. Norris- 43, 38.
Sacks
Gibson- 6, 4.5. Babbie- 5, 3.5.
Interceptions
M. St. Clair- 5, 4 (#3 EFL). St. John- 4, 4 (#3 EFL). Painter- 4, 3.
Pass Defended
Coolidge- 13, 11(#1 EFL).
Special Teams
Fish- #2 Punter EFL. Ryder- #1 Place Kicker EFL. Z. Blocker- #1 Punt Returner EFL, 17-385 (22.5) long of 54. J. Keleher- #1 Kick Return EFL, 10-276 (27.6) long of 60.
Stars host Massena tonight
PLATTSBURGH — The Plattsburgh North Stars will play their first home playoff game since 2003 when they host the Massena Silver and Black Raiders tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Penfield Park.
With a victory, it would be just the third time the team has won 10 games in a season in the club's history, alongside a 10-4 season in 1994 and an 11-4 record in 1995.
Also, the team's 7-7 Empire Football League record ties the 1994, 2003 and 2006 seasons as the second best regular-season record in team history.
"I'm very happy with the year we've had so far," Stars coach Pat Keleher said. Keleher, who is in his third season as head coach, won four games in 2007, eight in 2008 and looks to reach the double-digit mark tonight.
"We have a good core-group of guys, and each year we've added some key pieces," Keleher said.
Massena comes to town having lost to Plattsburgh by a total score of 80-6 in two games. However, Keleher's squad isn't taking the Silver and Black lightly.
"We've beaten them pretty handily twice, but what worries me is they've played everyone else, besides us and Watertown, tough," he said.
With a 1-9 record, Massena lost consecutive games to Binghamton and Vermont by two and one point, respectively. The Silver and Black has lost three other games by just eight points or less.
"Primarily, we're just looking to get back to executing well," Keleher said. "I thought there was point mid-season when we were playing very well, but offensively we kind of sputtered since Labor Day break."
=0 AOverall, Keleher has still been pleased with the offense as quarterback Ken Stay, running back Brandon Keleher and receiver Kelly Gordon each lead the league in their respective positions.
"We're hoping to get back to spreading the ball around offensively," Keleher said. "Running hard and making teams play honest on defense."
2009 North Stars Statistical Leaders
(Overall, Empire Football League)
Offense
Rushing
B. Keleher- 150-930-8, 126-735-6 (#1 EFL). Z. Blocker- 64-385-2, 64-385-2. E. Parks- 39-209-2, 35-194-2. K. Nolan- 24-97-3, 24-97-3.
Passing
K. Stay- 125-255-1595-12TD-10int, 115-199-1287-11TD-10int (#1 EFL)
Receiving
K. Gordon- 36-502-7, 33-445-6 (#1 EFL). M. St. Clair- 22-288-1, 16-208-1 (#8 EFL). C. Fish- 21-277-2 16-200-2 #9 EFL. J. Keleher- 18-217-0, 15-175-0 (#10 EFL).
Defense
Tackles
Godfrey- 75, 66 (#2 EFL). J. McCray- 54, 50 (#9 EFL). Gibson- 54, 46. Babbie- 53, 48. St. John- 47, 42. Norris- 43, 38.
Sacks
Gibson- 6, 4.5. Babbie- 5, 3.5.
Interceptions
M. St. Clair- 5, 4 (#3 EFL). St. John- 4, 4 (#3 EFL). Painter- 4, 3.
Pass Defended
Coolidge- 13, 11(#1 EFL).
Special Teams
Fish- #2 Punter EFL. Ryder- #1 Place Kicker EFL. Z. Blocker- #1 Punt Returner EFL, 17-385 (22.5) long of 54. J. Keleher- #1 Kick Return EFL, 10-276 (27.6) long of 60.
