Helmet to Helmet hits--My final word (maybe!)

Okay, the NFL has issued a video to better explain the standards of hitting and whats legal versus whats illegal. I've watched it and believe it to be fairly simple to understand. Others will say it still leaves grey areas and those are the people unhappy their particular favorite team had a player fined recently. The fines were proper and not excessive in my humble opinion. The chances of seeing big hits is NOT reduced as this rule has been in place for some time..just not properly enforced. I was unhappy to hear that officials who miss these plays and do not flag them will also be held liable in some fashion. The main offender that has raised the most issue with this new style of imposing of fines, suspensions, etc has been James Harrison. Of course he has issue with it, he has a lot to lose and says so himself with his "I play to hurt." comment. Sorry, but I see no distinction between hurt someone and injure someone. If you really want to be a competitor, you attempt to beat an opposing team that has ALL their players available as well as your own team having theirs. NOT a team a player or two down because you tried to hurt them so they would be out of the game! Winning in this style isn't winning, it is foul! I know a lot of Steeler fans and yes, I am a Browns fan but, I also believed that TJ Wards fine was proper and necessary to make him understand that he cannot attack an opposing player with his head, period! Ward is an up and coming rookie who is defining his own career early as an intimidating force from the safety position much in the style of Troy Polamalu. I apologize if I spelled that wrong again (just doesn't seem to have any suggestions in spell check!). I have always admired Troy's style of balls to the wall defense. I was worried however, early on in his career when he led with his head so much that he may end his career or life with some of his hits. He did remove himself from many games due to that style and one can only hope a talent such as his has been able to adjust and continue with his electrifying game. Harrison can still be a beast without 'hurting' anyone intentionally. I have even heard people say it was payback for Terry Bradshaw being dumped on his head to many (30 or so) years ago. That was stupidity on the Browns player then and it was stupidity on Harrison's part as well today. He has the physical ability to adjust and be able to lower the boom with his shoulders because he is that good. If he says he can't and must therefore quit (as he threatened to do) then I say "SEE YA!" I don't believe we will see much different play this weekend, just less concussions with a lot of big hits still available. As a side note on player safety, SHAME ON THE NFL for using licensing and contracts with big name companies as an excuse that shuts the door on smaller companies that have much more superior (and safer) equipment available that could reduce many serious injuries; and in particular concussions if they would simply tell the big boys, "We accept your products until a safer piece of equipment is now available, therefore forcing us to go with those newer products." The big companies could then simply buy out the smaller ones new safe equipment allowing the new product to be mass produced and putting a lot of $ in the small companies coffers freeing them up to continue development of even safer equipments! I learned this on ESPN today when former player Marcellus Wiley stated that he had seen better equipment displayed but disallowed when he was a player rep during his time in the NFL. It was a VERY enlightening discussion!

Heads held high in Warrior loss....

The finish was one week early for the Lower Grey Warriors in their loss to the Lower Red Falcons but, their heads were (and should be) held high with pride for an excellent season. Parents, coaches, players, and fans gave a rousing applause to the young Warriors as they left the field with red eyes upset the season had ended. It was the furthest a team from the BCMFL had made it so far in the leagues short history and the kids should be proud of that accomplishment. The support they received was very encouraging as players and coaches from other BCMFL teams arrived to cheer on the Lower Grey team as well. Aaron Pocatko, and Dylan Fitchet looked ready top have another big game offensively but, unfortunately, Fitchet left the game early with an apparent stomach virus, as did Kurt Warren who has been a big part of the Warrior defense all season. The timing looked to be off for the Warriors after the loss of these two starters. Zach Winchell then had to leave the game further changing the momentum and allowing the Falcons to focus all their defensive efforts solely on Pocatko bringing backside blitzes on every other play. The Warriros were up to the challenge as even with three minutes remaining and Jefferson having possession, the defense were able to force yet another fumble giving the Warriors one last gasp of hope. Sadly for the kids, they just couldn't get back the timing on offense they needed to make a last minute drive. They finish with a record of 7-2 and as any good sport should do, they wish the young Falcons good luck in the final game next week. Their tears will dry and their emotions will come back in control in due time. It is heart warming to see the kids care so much about the sport and about each other...the hardest lesson to learn in any sport is how to accept a loss and they will, making them better sportsman, and people and that's what all of us parents really want our kids to be.

Defense seals "W" for Lower Grey in playoff opener....

 In a game where the Lower Grey Warriors met a team that could match them for their offensive speed against the visiting Lower White Eagles, the Warriors defense proved to be the difference with a late fourth quarter turnover on a fumble recovery by Antonio Delion sealing the 12-6 victory. Not that the galloping grey ghosts couldn't run, they just couldn't break off the big runs they've become accustomed to week in and week out. Dylan Fitchet led the charge this week accumulating 116 yards of rushing offense with Aaron Pocatko right on his heels with 104 yards of his won. Jesse Garcia and Miguel Delion each chipped in 14 and 9 yards respectively. Pocatko also completed two passes for 25 yards with Fitchet and Jacob Zappitelli each catching one toss each. Once again it was the offensive line that worked as a fine tuned machine giving the running room for the four headed rushing attack of the Warriors. Geneva did not just roll over however, cutting down the outside speed just before they could break loose on many runs. The outside and linebacker speed of the Eagles was impressive as they used very good angles and a well thought out defensive scheme to keep the Lower Grey running attack somewhat in check.
 It became necessary for the Warriors to depend upon the defense to hold off another second rally attempt as the Eagles scored their first TD late in the third quarter cutting the lead to the ultimate final score of 12-6. Late in the fourth quarter, the Lower White defense put together a 'three and out' giving them a last chance possession. With Jacob Tackett, Pocatko, and Dale Sheldon leading the way on defense, they hit the Eagle running back as a unit jarring the ball loose allowing Antonio Delion to scramble for the loose ball and hold on in the scrum pile sealing the win and allowing the Warriors (7-1) to now prepare for a second round playoff appearance against the winner of the Lower Jefferson Red Falcons and the Madison Cowboys.
 The defense was led by Pocatko, Fitchet, and Alex Dufala with four tackles each. Zappitelli had three, and Jesse Garcia, Miguel Delion,  Sheldon, and William Walker had two tackles apiece. Kurt Warren and Zach Griffith each had one defensive stop.

Earlier season photo of the Lower Grey defense in action. (#21-Dylan Fitchet, #11 Kurt Warren)

 The Falcons are the only team to put a blemish on the Warriors in the season opener winning by two points, and the Warriors needed a second half comeback to defeat the Cowboy team. Either team will make for an interesting playoff matchup for the Warriors and should be exciting to watch for any fan of the youngest and purest form of football! Congrats to all the youngsters for putting together a very enjoyable season thus far and they should all be proud of their teams performances!

Comeback win for Lower Grey proves huge....

 On what could only be described as "Football Weather" , the Lower Grey Warriors needed a 2nd half comeback to clinch home field advantage in the first week of playoffs as they defeated the Madison Cowboys 13-12.
 Lighting a fire under the Warriors wasn't really a possibility in the wind, rain, and mud but, that's what seemed to happen after the Cowboys took a 12-0 lead in the first half and seemed to be controlling the game. The second half was a role reversal that saw the Warriors take control back on the offensive and defensive lines allowing Aaron Pocatko, Dylan Fitchet, and Miguel Delion to get their wheels churning and start to move the ball on the ground after the first half passing attack proved futile in the conditions. The defense apparently overcame their fear of giants as Madisons star running back (name unknown) had been having his way in the first half. To be polite, he was HUGE compared to the average 7,8, and 9 year old. As they say though, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall." and fall he did accumulating only four total offensive yards in the entire second half. Led by Jacob Zappitelli on defense, the undersized Warriors utilized team tackling in bringing down the big guy and getting the ball back in the hands of the offense allowing Dale Sheldon, Alex Dufala, Antonio Delion, Jacob Tackett, and Dominic Ciesicki to use brute force on the line and giving room to run for Pocatko, Fitchet, and M. Delion for a team total of 168 yards of rushing offense. Madisons inability to convert after their first half touchdowns proved vital for the Warriors when Fitchet converted after Pocatkos first TD. Pocatko scrambled in from 25 yards out for his second TD with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the defense was called upon once again to put on the clamps. They did just that pushing the Cowboys backwards for negative seven yards on four rushing attempts effectively sealing the win. With our usual dfensive stars getting their tackles, William Walker and Kurt Warren stepped up their games as well giving the additional defensive help the Warriors needed and allowing them to host their playoff opener next week (opponent unknown as of yet) at Warrior Stadium. The Lower Grey team hopes to get a chance to avenge their only loss against the Lower Jefferson team from the season opener and it appears that just may happen as the young Falcons have also clinched a home field advantage as well. The possible re-match would prove to be a grudge match made in our local midget football heaven and we hope to see a large contingent of fans at all our remaining playoff games to support our little Warriors!