Gridiron Gazette: Goal Line Stand (Week 2)

Red Raiders QB Tom Brady looked much better on the practice field yesterday than he did on the golf course during Fitchburg Tech's downtime last week. Expect Brady to kick off the season strong as they head overseas for their matchup with Dublin.





Goal Line Stand (Week 2)
Cam Pannalist, Gridiron Gazette




New blood leads to new occurrences, and league officials hope it becomes a trend.

This week marked the first time in FAC-10 history that there has been an in-season trade. Bud Heavy University, looking to give a mediocre backfield a boost, acquired RB Reggie Bush, while sending QB Vince Young to Arizona-Kickery.

“We love Drew, and he’ll always have a place on this team,” said AK athletic director Pat Renaud. “But we need a winner. Even if it is one who throws like a girl.”

The two teams also exchanged tight ends: Ben Watson is heading to Arizona, while Alge Crumpler will be drinking Budweisers for the rest of the season.

---

GS @ RAK
Gillespie State witnessed a complete meltdown last week, and the athletic department took action. We’re not sure how smart it is to change head coaches in week 2, but if anyone is up for the challenge its Frank Wycheck. However, even Big Frank can’t help this team if their running game only scores 6 points again.

Meanwhile, U-Rake had a chance for an upset last week against a struggling Athol offense, but couldn’t seal the deal. RB Marshawn Lynch should have another big game, but if QB Matt Leinart can’t play the entire game again, they’ll be 0-2 by Tuesday. If he does, Gillespie State will have another new head coach next week.



SU @ UM
The S.U.C.H. did not look like the defending champions against Bud Heavy, but should step up their game against the Wildcats. After going 0-2 against them in 2006, players have been ready for revenge. At a press conference earlier this week, K Neil Rackers called the Mexico defense “weak like little girls.”

In response, Wildcats WR Roy Williams called Rackers a “jerk.” Such trash talk should cause some tension on the field. The Crazy Horses should rebound and win a barn burner south of the border.



UAK @ GU
The mediocre Dublin University defense held Arizona-Kickery to just 30 points last week, leading to a drastic change on offense. Newcomers Vince Young and Ben Watson are both solid players, but one may wonder if the team acted a little too quickly. 1 loss in an 11 week season is nothing to freak out over, and this one may come back to bite them in the behind.

A meeting with Golden might just be what the Kickers need to boost their confidence. RB Steven Jackson is out this week, and don’t expect much from backup Warrick Dunn. If the underachieving receiving core can break 30 points combined, the Gryphons will make this interesting… but not THAT interesting. On the bright side, someone will be 1-1 on Tuesday.



AB @ BHU
This matchup is like a big brother and little brother playing 1-on-1 in the driveway. Big brother (Bud Heavy) spots little brother 8 points (QB Donovan McNabb) and hopes that his huge size advantage (RB Marion Barber/Reggie Bush) will ensure it will be an entertaining game, but still give himself a win.

But then, little brother hits two miracle shots in a row (RB Adrian Peterson, TE Jeremy Shockey) and it’s suddenly 10-8. If Anheuser-Busch can find one more lucky shot in them (WR Braylon Edwards maybe?) then this expansion team will solidify themselves as a true championship contender.



FT @ DUBA
Fitchburg Tech had a great off-week, scrimmaging against Leominster Junior College and flexing their muscles to a crowd of 210. Tom Brady was unstoppable, Joseph Addai was untouchable, and Randy Moss’s hands seemed like glue. By the end of the game, it was 107-0.

Other than RB Brian Westbrook, the Octoberfests have no real threats on offense. If TE Todd Heap can run some solid routes, QB Tony Romo just might make this game respectable. Then again, GLS #1 Gillespie State lost to #11 Anheuser-Busch last week, so anything is possible.

---

Power Rankings
1. Fitchburg Tech (+4)
2. Mexico (+1)
3. Gillespie State (-2)
4. Athol A&M ( - )
5. Bud Heavy (+3)
6. Arizona-Kickery (-4)
7. Stardust (-1)
8. Golden (-1)
9. Anheuser-Busch (+2)
10. Dublin (-1)
11. Rakeville (-1)

---

League Notes
- In honor of the first annual “Bud Cup” between Bud Heavy and Anheuser-Busch, the winning team will receive a week’s supply of Bud, Bud Light, and Bud Select. The losing team will be forced to carry the kegs to the busses.

- In addition to changing their head coach, Gillespie State also decided to change their airline. Apparently, team officials didn’t have much faith in Air Rakeville.

- After being traded to Bud Heavy University, Reggie Bush quickly cleaned out his locker and headed home. Bush said that he will most likely not arrive in time for this week’s matchup, however, because he has no idea where the school is located.

Read more!

Macoupin County News - Leader: Week One Review

Has anyone seen the Black Diamond’s offense? With so many returning starters and a new quarterback the boys were looking to return to championship form. After a slow pre-season and a week one loss to expansion Anheuser-Busch University, things are getting a little crazy on the campus of Gillespie State. It’s insanity in Illinois!

Gillespie State athletic director Brian Gillespie has seen enough. After the Black Diamonds stumbled through the preseason and a week one blowout, The AD has installed former head of player development Frank Wycheck as head coach.

"Our core group of guys has been here since the beginning. Frank's been one of those guys too. I wanted a leader who our guys know and respect." Said Gillespie. Wycheck has been around this group of players since the beginning. It was his decision to make the trade that landed Captain Shaun Alexander to the team in the inaugural FAC-10 draft. He also pulled the plug this off-season on the trade that would have put Marc Bulger under center.

As the Diamonds look to get back on track next week against Rakeville, the new coach has no easy task ahead of him. There are serious question marks in his lineup. The team has had no productive number two running back. The only production out of the backfield has come from Captain Alexander, who now has a broken left wrist. "Yeah, it’s busted but he will play. Our staff will wrap the wrist and he can play through the pain” said Wycheck. The coach would not name his starting running backs for next week. It looks like both will be a game day decision.

Wycheck will see a familiar face in the Rockets backfield though. Cadillac Williams was lost in the Fac-10 expansion draft. Now with so many running back problems the new coach is probably wishing he had held onto the young runner.

The Black Diamonds are just looking ahead to next week. The team only has one loss and there is no need to panic yet. The game should be a classic as both teams struggled through week one and are looking to turn their season around. Kickoff is at 1:00.

Read more!

Gridiron Gazette: Goal Line Stand (Week 1)

Nobody took the 2006 Falcon Bowl loss harder than QB Drew Brees. The Kickers' incoming Freshman class, including WR Antwaan Randle El and DL Julius Peppers, should give the quarterback something to boost his spirits. A Week 1 matchup against the expansion Octoberfests doesn't hurt either.








Goal Line Stand (Week 1)
Cam Pannalist, Gridiron Gazette




"I'm not surprised," said Athol A&M running back Willis McGahee. "They're a bunch of cheats. They always have been, and they always will be."

This was just a sample of the kind of uproar surrounding the alleged “stealing” of running back LaMont Jordan. Sources say that Golden University Athletic Director Michael Comtois sent a letter to Jordan saying he’d been drafted by the Gryphons, when in fact the 28-year old veteran had been recruited by Athol. Comtois told reporters that it was a "misinterpretation of the rules" and has complied with Conference officials in rectifying this situation.

The turmoil in Colorado could cause some distraction as the Gryphons host the University of Mexico in Week 1. Wildcats fans in town for the game have already been seen walking around with slanderous signs such as "Don’t Run From The Truth" and "Check The Roster", but Comtois hasn't fazed.

"They're from Mexico, what do they know?"

---

BHU @ SU
Peyton Manning threw for 600 yards and 4 TDs in two preseason games for the Crazy Horses, and while preseason should not be taken so strongly, it doesn't hurt to have a little confidence. Stardust will be given their championship plaques prior to the game, as A.D. Walter Sobchak loves to put on a show.

On the other side, The King should be a little nervous with Edgerrin James and Duece McAllister in their backfield. While the duo can put up decent numbers, they’re no match for the Baltimore defense. Stardust should handle Bud Heavy quite easily this week.



DUBA @ UAK
The Octoberfests took the traditional expansion route, loading their roster with young talent such as RB DeAngelo Williams and WRs Vincent Jackson and Anthony Gonzalez. Don't expect much from the Freshmen, though 8th-Year Senior Hines Ward should put up some good numbers.

The Kickers went out and recruited some youth of their own, but still have a solid core of proven skill. Sophomore RB Reggie Bush will see limited playing time behind Frank Gore and Lawrence Maroney, giving Kickery the best backfield in the league. That power running game will help start the Kickers' season right.


RAK @ AAM
Athol's title hopes have never been higher, and anything less than a 2007 title will be a disappointment. Their 6 starting skill positions are filled by returning students, and transfer TE Kellen Winslow will be a favorite target for Carson Palmer.

The expansion Grays had the top recruiting class in the conference, and will give them plenty of experience right away with 3 true freshman getting starts in Week 1. Calvin Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, and Nick Folk all had excellent preseasons, and if they can continue that into this matchup, they MIGHT not get completely destroyed by the Alchy's.


UM @ GU
Jordangate isn't the only storyline in Colorado this week, as these two teams made a blockbuster trade just before the entry draft. RB Larry Johnson is living in the Rockies now, while QB Marc Bulger will be taking the helm of the Wildcat offense. Adding Bulger to an offense that still has two '06 All-Conference players helps a lot.

Golden believes this is their year. After finishing in the bottom two of the league for the past 2 years, the Gryphons finally have a solid roster good enough to make a playoff push. If they pay attention and make the right moves, this could be an upset of the 2006 regular season champs.


AB @ GS
If Dublin is planning to compete in 2009, Anheuser-Busch University is eyeing 2015. Most of these guys were in diapers when Brett Favre took his first snap. However, ABU did do a good job recruiting some of the best young prospects available, and if QB Jay Cutler can keep his cool, they’ll surprise a few teams.

But probably not this week, as they face a strong Black Diamonds squad that started their preseason camp 2 weeks earlier than the rest of the league. Whether this may come back to haunt them, only time will tell, but this team is playing so well together they don’t even need a playbook, just eye contact.

---

Power Rankings
1. Gillespie State ( - )
2. Arizona-Kickery ( - )
3. Mexico ( - )
4. Athol A&M ( - )
5. Fitchburg Tech ( - )
6. Stardust ( - )
7. Golden ( - )
8. Bud Heavy ( - )
9. Dublin ( - )
10. Rakeville ( - )
11. Anheuser-Busch ( - )

---

League Notes
- Golden fans showing up early to this Sunday’s game will be quite disappointed. The first 25,000 people will receive LaMont Jordan bobbleheads. In order to rectify the situation, the next 25,000 people will receive $200.

- To gain an unnecessary advantage, Athol fans snuck into the Rakeville practice facility and filled the fridge with beers. WR Brandon Jackson was the first to see them, and was benched for Week 1 for drinking them all without sharing.

- When Commissioner Jason Sehorn was asked which expansion team would make the most noise this season he responded, "Probably the team that yells the loudest."

Read more!

Rakeville Times: Freshmen Folk, Johnson top Gray's preseason

Nick Folk has been excellent through the pre-season, despite the flamboyant pose. Can his foot drive Rakeville to a Week 1 victory in Athol?



Freshmen Folk, Johnson top Gray's preseason
By Aviator McShadeless

The 2007 Rakeville University team comes together, and freshmen Nick Folk and Calvin Johnson have but leading the charge this preseason.

Folk, the team's place kicker, has hit on all four of his field goal attempts and has 10 PATs. After two games, he ranks second in the national behind Golden's Jeff Reed.Johnson's soft hands have also been a topic of conversation. In Rakeville's two preseason games, Johnson has eight receptions and two touchdowns.

Rakeville split their two preseason games, beating Arizona - Kickery and losing to Fitchburg Tech.

"Our offense isn't clicking yet," said Coach Drew Bledsoe. "It's the first year with all these guys together. Lienart showed a lot of pose against Fitch Tech, but we still struggled to score. I think you'll see a lot of good plays from us this year, but we'll have trouble putting up sustained drives and ultimately scoring a lot of points."

Bledsoe was confident that the team was developing, and disregaded assertions that URake should be competing for a national championship.

"If we had a senior or two, I'd consider it, but this team is young. Talk to be about championships if we are in the race near the end of the year."

URake announced Freshman Gaines Adams was sent down the the freshman team, and walk on A.J. Hawk would be the starter against Athol this week.

Read more!