Fastest off-season in sports

In semi-pro the off-season always is interesting to say the least. This year for us it has been REAL short.

After winning our league (NFA) in October we took the rest of the month or so off to get healthy and then went right into practicing for the National’s in Homestead, Fl.

With a reduced roster from the normal sixty-five or so guys down to around forty guys that made the trip, because players pay there own way. In the end the practice was well worth it!

At first it was exciting just to be down there and to get out of the cold for a long weekend. Saw some of the area from Key Largo and Homestead on Thursday night (and never let anyone tell you Key Largo is 15 minutes from Homestead lol) to South Beach on Friday. Friday night some of the guys went to watch a few of the other bowl games going on.

Once Saturday hit it was like a switch was thrown and it was all football. We all started to get up get some food and trying to get things ready for the game. Then we all got together and had our walk thru in the parking lot of our hotel. Then we started to pack to go to the field to get ready for the game. Once we got over there we got to see some of the game before ours. It was a team from Miami vs. a team from Virginia (turned into a blowout at the end).

Then we hit the field and one touchdown came after another and it felt good! Our offense was putting up points that made it hard for any team to beat us. The defense was playing well and it was a game, and experience, that I know I will never forget. Oh yeah we won 71-40 and we saw what this offense led by Coach Porcelli could really do when executed to perfection.

All our running backs had great days. Andre (#22), who won league MVP, won the game MVP too (kinda lol). The announcer messed up on the vote and Bryan (#36) our FB they said should have won it LOL. But all played great and it was something that was an awesome experience, and even better to represent the City of Troy like we did!

Then to top it off we had great press and even TV coverage there once we got off the plan in Albany. I was just an awesome time!

But now that is all over, the 2010 season is gone, and we are having/had signups already (We are having another one March 28th and need players and volunteers) for the 2011 season. We have our FB Bryan Sheldon in camp with the Cleveland Gladiators of the AFL looking to make that team. He knows were all pulling for him as he deserves it. Then our DT Ken Jones just came back from a tryout in Las Vegas, hopefully he did well also.

But the 2011 season has crept up on us as other teams have already started practicing from our league, and with adding four new teams to the mix we are for sure going to be the #1 target this season.

But starting tonight voluntary workouts start for our lineman, new and old. So hello 2011 season and hopefully it’s another championship run, and another title for Troy.

Also if anyone is still interested in playing, or helping, there is still time as players and volunteers are needed! We start practicing in the last week in April and playing the first weekend in June. We also still have one more signup meeting for this season. So please visit our site www.eteamz.com/tfifootball for more information.

But when all said in done it was a two month off-season this year, but I wouldn’t trade any of it away because it’s all for the love of the game.

Late drive lifts Irish into Championship

The Fighting Irish knew going into their Semi-final game vs. the Lyndonville Tigers Saturday night that they were in for a battle. The Irish received just that from the team the beat earlier in the season 35-14.

It was a battle of the defenses to start the game as the Irish defense looked the best they have all year. The Irish offense looked to their passing game near the end first quarter exploiting a defense that was determined to stop the run. Fighting Irish quarterback Ryan Job hooked up with wide receiver Matt Bergin for a 67 yard pass completion down to the 7 yard line. One play later running back Jahmel Tarver punched in his only score of the day.

Once the second quarter hit the Irish looked to try and find their groove, but it was a defensive battle the entire first half. With the Irish defense holding strong after the offense turned it over. Getting the ball back the Irish went to work again with a drive that running back Neil Keels capped off with a 30 yard touchdown run that was his first of three on the night.

Going into half time the Irish were looking to finish the game with a 14-0 lead already and on the second play from scrimmage Job connected again with Bergin, this time for a 75 yard touchdown pass. The Irish were feeling good at this point, but the Tigers had some fight deep down left in them.

On the next drive the Tigers answered with a score of their own, but once again the Irish offense put together a drive that ended again in another Keels 7 yard touchdown run. The Tigers looked out of it, but the fight kept coming putting together another scoring drive, and the Irish were able to block the extra point making it a 28-13 game.

Then the fourth quarter came and made this game one of the most exciting semi-pro football games of the year! The Tigers defense put it together intercepting a Matt Weber screen pass and bringing it back 43 yards for a touchdown made the game 28-20. The Irish not phased as the following kickoff Tarver busted loose behind a devastating block from Bergin, and returned it all the way to the Tigers 35 yard line. A few plays later the Tigers Ricky McVay intercepted another Weber pass in the end zone and returned it to around mid field.

McVay then turned around at quarterback to lead the Tigers on a drive that had the Irish back on their heels. Playing with a short field the Tigers went to work, but with a crowd that was the loudest of any semi-pro game the Irish have been apart of! With a tough stand the defense looked like they were going to hold, but McVay was able to scamper in for a touchdown after the defense held them on the goal line. Down by two, and with time not on their side, the Tigers elected to go for a two point conversion. With everyone knowing who the ball was going to McVay he then moved to wide receiver and made an acrobatic catch in the corner of the end zone to tie the game.

Now it was gut check time for the Fighting Irish. If they really wanted to be the Championship team they set out to be since April now was the time and everyone knew it! Taking the kickoff back to the Irish 41 yard line the offense had 3:20 in the fourth quarter to go 59 yards for a chance to host the NFA Championship.

The Irish opened the drive with an A.J. Faraci run of 3 yards. The next play Job almost did something that he hasn’t done all year and threw a near interception that the Tigers linebacker dropped and it fell incomplete. Now it was time to make a play. With one last trick up their sleeve Tarver caught a pitch that he then set up and threw and completed a 36 yard pass to Bergin.

With a great play and the Irish were flagged at the end of the play for a 15 yard penalty from the end of the run. Now backing up to the Tigers 33 yard line the Tigers took a timeout. Regrouping proved to be on the side of the Irish side as they were not going to settle for a field goal knowing the Tigers kicker is very good. No the Irish offense was looking to finish it. Next play thousand yard rusher Andre McCauley, who was held in check most of the game, tip toed down the side line in an impressive effort for a 17 yard run. The Tigers defense would not quit after a few good stops the Irish were faced with another 3rd and 7 from the 12 yard line. A big run from Tarver who was once again making a play and fought for exactly 7 yards picking up the first down. The very next play Keels struck again as he finished with his third touchdown of the night to put the Irish in the lead for good.

With time still left on the clock to hold one of the best players in the league in check the Fighting Irish defense took the field again with 1:44 left in the game and the Tigers were on the Irish 40 yard line. The defense was up to the challenge as first down lead to a sack by defensive lineman Jeremy Rogers and Jeremy Tryon. Second down the Tigers gained a few as linebackers Francisco Cordero and Joshiah Quinn combined on the tackle. Third down with more pressure on McVay he tried to run but getting stopped by Quinn once again leaving the Tigers down seven from the Irish 32 yard line facing a 4th and 2. With the roar of the crowd at the snap of the ball McVay tried to make something out of nothing. Safety DJ McKeon took away the outside forcing McVay to try and run up the gut where he was met by what it looked like the entire Irish defense as Quinn and Cordero once again lead the charge!

Stopped on 4th and 2 and the Tigers turned it over for nothing but a knee down by Job and a bath for the coaches! Celebrating their first ever playoff win 35-28 and a trip to the NFA Title game for the fourth year franchise. This could have been the game of the year in semi-pro football.

The Irish were lead on offense by running backs Neil Keels (9/76 3TD’s), Jahmel Tarver (8/59 TD 1/1 36), Andre McCauley (11/63), A.J. Faraci (7/62). Wide receiver Matt Bergin (3/178 TD) and quarterback Ryan Job (2/3 142 TD).

The Hit Squad was lead by Linebacker Joshiah Quinn (6 solo/12 asst), Safety D.J. McKeon (10 solo/2 asst), Corner back Fred Job (6 solo/1 asst/1 sack), and defensive linemen Jeremy Tryon (6 solo/5 asst/.5 sack), Anthony Murray (4 solo/4 asst), and Ken Jones (3 solo/3 asst).

The Fighting Irish will take on the Jamestown Chiefs who were the number four seed and upset the undefeated Buffalo Gladiators 20-13 in Buffalo. The Irish beat the Chiefs week three by a score of 27-18.

The NFA Championship will be hosted at Schenectady High School with kickoff set for 7:00PM. The Fighting Irish are looking to have the best crowd they have had all year, as they could not have gotten here without the amazing support from their fans that they have had this season.

A brief history

Hi Everyone! I am Ryan Job I will be reporting on behalf of Troy’s Fighting Irish a local semi-pro football team that plays in Troy. I will also cover some semi-pro football as a whole, and try to give people a sense of what it’s all about. Some of you may know us already and some may not, but here is a quick history of the team.

We are a not-for-profit team that was established in 2007 and are going into our fourth season. The team was formed to give local athletes a chance again to play the game they all love (Hints the blog title). Our players and coaches are local people who come from all walks of life and all types of occupations. From government workers to construction workers all our players work full time jobs, have families, and pay (yes that’s right) pays to play or coach football for our team. I guess that is why it’s called SEMI-pro football, which people normally have a misconception about.

We also try to give back to the community as much as possible too. So if you ever want a helping hand with an event, and want to see if the Fighting Irish can help please just ask! We will do anything to help anyone in need.

A quick bit about me: I play for the Fighting Irish (#9) and also help out wherever needed with the team. I have grown up in Troy my whole life and have played everything from football, baseball, basketball, and even rugby in the area. I got into semi-pro football after Siena College discontinued their football program after the ’03 season. I started out in 2005 playing for a team in Johnstown where I played there for two years. Then we started a team in Troy knowing that there is great local talent and could make something special, which it has been.

I will be blogging our team adventures from games to practice jokes. I will also give an insight on getting to know our local players and coaches as we lead up to our season opener.

Football season is here in Troy and we are all just excited so please stay tuned!