Football Practice (OPEN)

Oby · Post by **Oby** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:37 am

Saint Joseph's triumphs over Saint Augustine In Last Minute

In what amounted to a shaky performance after their defeat to Mt. Pelon, the St Joseph's School Flyers needed last minute heroics to overcome a good Saint Augustine Friars football team. The victory propels the Flyers to 6-2, while dropping St. Augustine to 4-4. With four games remaining, that puts the Flyers in the playoffs, but still vying for a homefield advantage for at least one game.

The game started poorly for the Flyers, who's first two possessions didn't muster a single first down. The offense looked mired down, and confused by a quick Friars' Defense. The team appeared to be pressing after the loss last week, and frustration showed.

The Friars were quick to capatalize on the two 3 and outs, and with field position in their favor were able to move the ball down the field twice, scoring on a Joe Dunston touchdown catch, and a 25 yard field goal by Sergio Mendez.

Coach Waters was able to make an adjustment to the fast style of defens the Friars played though, and in the second quarter, that adjustment paid off. The Flyers moved to a bruising, smash mouth offense, straying from the high speed, quick hit attack which had won them several games throughout the year. Fullback JT Myers was called on in the second quarter, and into the second half, pounding out hard yards, and punishing the Friar defense, whle tailback Antoine DuBois was held on the back burner. This offensive punch in the mouth led to two scores in the half, and a halftime score of Friars 17- Flyers 10.

A scary moment occured at the beginning of the second half, after the second half kickoff. The Flyers were able to drive, but stalled on the 50 yard line. Kicker Bill Harrison, kicked a punt, but Friar defensive lineman was blocked inadvertently into Harrison's plant leg. The knee buckled, and Harrison had to be carted off the field. There is no word yet on the extent of the injury.

After the return drive was stuffed by the Flyer defense, setting up another Friar field goal, the Flyers offense went to work.

The smashmouth first half seemed to wear on the Friar's by the end of the third quarter, and with JT Myers leading with several crushing blocks, Antoine DuBois was able to spring runs of 25, and 20 yards, leading the Flyers to the Friar 4 yard line. Coach Waters rewarded Myers with the ball on 2nd and goal, and was not disappointed as Myers punched through the line, for his first Flyers touchdown, drawing the Flyers to within 3, at 20-17.

Their next drive saw the Flyers' running game go to work, as the tandem of Myers, and DuBois wore out a flagging Friars' defense. This time however, the drive stalled at the 25 yard line, and the Flyers had a surprise for everyone. Samantha Douglas took the field as the Flyers' placekicker, with a little over 5 minutes to play in the game. After the Friars' took a timeout to try and ice the young lady, the Flyers lined up for the field goal. Samantha showed little nervousness as she booted the ball through the uprights with room to spare, knotting the game at 20 a side.

The Friars managed to move the ball to the Flyer 25 yard line on the next drive, and looked poised to score a touchdown that would have assured overtime at the very least. The defense, led by middle linebacker Biff Hannigan, stuffed a first down run. On the next play, a sack by Alex Waters, dropped them to the 30 yard line. Facing 3rd down and 15 yards for the first down, the Friars' tried a screen play, but Biff Hannigan would have none of it. Blasting through a block, Hannigan planted the Friar running back for a two yard loss, forcing St Augustine to settle for a field goal, giving them the 23-20 lead with a little less than two minutes on the clock, and no timeouts remaining for the Flyers.

The kickoff following the field goal pinned the Flyers deep in their own zone, setting up a long drive, and a true test for Scott Sanders, and the Flyer two minute offense. The drive looked stalled at about the Friar 45 yard line, when Sanders ran a play action fake to DuBois, and hit Myers out of the backfield for a 34 yard gain, to the Friar 11, with 55 seconds to play. A dropped pass by the Flyer tight end, and a short running gain of 3, left the Flyers with a 3 down and 7 with 38 seconds left on the still clicking clock, and the time running down.

Scott Sanders took the snap on the third down play, and dropped back. A furious Friar rush, and a corner blitz bearing down on him. Myers picked up the Corner blitz, and the pocket held just long enough for Sanders to launch his pass into the corner of the end zone. Bryan "Wrongway" Baxter cut a route and headed for the corner, hauling in the pass with a nifty grab between two defenders. Samantha Douglas came in to kick the point after, putting the Flyers ahead for good, 27-23.

Stasis Kiss · Post by **Stasis Kiss** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:22 pm

jumps up and down, jumps up and down, hugging Picayune hard!

WE WON! WE WON! GO, US!

Picayune laughs and beats on her larger friend with two small fists.

Cherie! You big oaf! Let me go, or you shall rumple me beyond bearing!

lets go but continues to dance, punching a fist in the air for a few more minutes.

We rock! Go, Flyers! Kick Friar tail!

Blitzen · Post by **Blitzen** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:28 pm

ALL RIGHT GUYS, Way to bring it back in the second half!! Let's Gatorade the Coach! **Makes eye contact with the Coach. ** Or maybe let's not! GREAT GAME!!!!!!

Glowing Vigilance · Post by **Glowing Vigilance** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:40 pm

Despite the festive cheering, Summer was sitting the Nurse's office. After seeing Harrison injured, she left the field to follow him out, citing she knew what was needed. The school nurse was the main go to lady for all kinds of cuts and bruises but Summer had seen worse by simply doing hero work. A quick phone call to the Professor, S. Surgeon gave her ample power to give Bill the best.

After setting the bone, Summer was sitting there with her hand on his thigh and a line of sweat on her brow. It turned out, the little prick who'd grabbed him forced the bone wrong and caused him a compound fracture to the tibia or in lamens terms, shin.

Summer sat there, going over the rest of her memories of the game, she missed the second half, and she didn't know if the Flyers had even one. Bill muttered something weak.

She looked over from her seat, her eyes weary. She needed caffiene or food. Something to get her back to the normal world. Bill groaned a minute. She got up, her legs were shaky and weak but she got up none the less.

"You moaned?" Summer joked.

Bill looked up with glazed over eyes, "Who the... coach?"

"Nope, your new Manager, Summer." Summer replied.

Bill sobered up a minute, "Summer? You mean the columnist girl?"

"Yep." Summer replied.

"And you healed my leg?"

"Yep"

"'kay." And Bill passed out with that.

Summer buried her face in her hand and walked away from the bed to go sit back down in her chair. Overall this had been a very, very, exhausting day.

Mighty Electron · Post by **Mighty Electron** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 2:28 pm

The next day the team had the day off, but regardless a lone figure was seen out on the field, doing exercises. Dressed in his football pants, leg pads, and a t-shirt, Mighty Electron dug his cleats into the grass as he rounded another curve. One more lap he thought to himself.

After completing his laps, he settled down to stretch out, careful to loosen up each muscle to avoid injuries later. Once he was satisfied with his stretches, he went over to the sidelines and grabbed a few pylons, setting them up for his next drill, then with a deep breath began dashing and darting between them as fast as he could, pushing himself harder, faster with each repetition, trying to stay fast on his feet, changing direction in the blink of an eye.

Rearranging the pylons, he went through some pass coverage drills, backpedalling 10 yards then turning fast to run with the imagined receiver, or cutting across the field to break up the route and gain an interception.

Next he went over the the tires laid out on the ground, high-stepping through them, challenging himself to complete them faster each time, shaving precious milliseconds off his time.

After that, he hit the tackle sled, getting low and crashing his shoulder into the sled, wrapping his arms around it, and driving hard, pushing it harder each time, then dropping to the ground, rolling out, leaping back to his feet and coming around again.

After some pushups, Mighty E swallowed hard as he knew what had to come next: suicides. He remembered how much every player dreads this drill, especially at the end of a hard practice, but he knew it paid off come game time, and as the newest member of the Flyers secondary, he knew he had to train hardest of all. So jogging to one of the endzones, he lines up at the goalline, and shouts in his mind: GO! He's off like a flash, hitting the 10-yard line, reaches down to skim the grass with his hand, then turns and sprints back to the goalline. After skimming the grass, he turns again, and dashes to the 20, then back, 30, back, 40... all the way down the field, until finally he finishes with 100 yards there, then back again. Sweating and breathing hard, he walks it off, mustering a smile, thinking to himself those guys next week won't know what hit them...

Oby · Post by **Oby** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:14 am

Practice started the day after the fight, and the team was ready to help Bryan and Shawn finish up the punishment. They'd come early, and stretched to be ready to finish the grueling tasks set before them. Coach Waters, and Coach Levitz came walking up from their offices, trying not to look too pleased with the show of solidarity. "What are you ladies all set and ready for?" Coach Waters barked.

"We're ready to start payin' off for the trouble the two jerks caused." Biff Hannigan, the team captain, answered.

Coach Waters removed his cap and rubbed the back of his neck with the hand. "Is that right?" The chorus of affirmative answers rang back at him. "Well, I think you all misunderstood. Those of you still on the team don't get time off from regular practice to help. We have a game to prepare for." Groans from the team were heard. Coach was not going to make this easy, if the team wanted the two of them back on the the sidelines, they'd have to work for it. "Wrongway, Croc! you can start running laps on my field now, if you want to lighten the load, and show the rest of these guys how much you want it!"

"Yes, Coach!" the two boys intoned.

Croc started to jog over to the side of the field to run his laps as Gravwarp and Coach Levitz followed. "Yeah, Wrongway seems pretty fitting now, doesn't it, you little fairy. You got us kicked off the team!"

"I did?! You started the whole thing you idiot!"

Coach Levitz cut in, "HEY! I don't care what happened, but you two better get started running if you want to have any help at all by the end of practice. This is a team, and if you two keep acting like you're the only ones that matter, you'll never get this done. You need as many of those guys out on that field as you can get if you have a prayer of getting this done. So I'd suggest you stop running your mouths at each other, and just run."

Croc grumbled, and Bryan just nodded. "You better hope I never catch you alone you little fairy."

Bryan let out an exasperated sigh, and looked over his shoulder with a smirk. "Like you could ever catch me at all." Bryan took off running, with Croc fast on his heels. Bryan had no worries, as one of the faster guys on the team, he had no reason to think Croc would ever catch him, and it sure made the laps go by faster to goad the bully on. He just hoped that the rest of the team would see the pace they set, and join in as soon as practice was done.

Oby · Post by **Oby** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:22 pm

Flyers Crush the Marauders In the Rain

On a day in which most ducks would have run for the cover of shelter, the St Joseph’s Flyers defeated the Jon Thomas Dye Marauders in what may have been a bigger swamping that mother nature tried to pour down on the fans of either team.

The rain started hard early in the morning, and didn’t let up through the day, or into the night. The same could be said about the Flyers attack on the Marauders. Starting from the opening kickoff, which was returned 76 yards for a touchdown by Lucas Alexander, the Flyers dominated every aspect of the game in a 49 – 10 route of what was thought to be an excellent JT Dye football team.

JT Dye boasted two of the leading tacklers in the league, Middle Linebacker Rhodjer Wilson, and defensive lineman Mark Gaffney. Coming into the game the tandem had led a defense that was giving up only 110 yards a game on the ground. St Joseph’s used a bruising attack led by their offensive line, to pile up 254 yards rushing and another 300 in the air. The equipment manager for the Marauders will have to stock up on bleach, as Gaffney found himself on his back, in the mud, often, as the recipient of crushing blocks from the St Joe’s offensive line, most notably several pancake blocks applied by Jack Tower, the Flyer’s Center. The line’s dominance allowed running back Antoine DuBois to rack up 154 yards rushing, and two touchdowns. The passing game was equally effective, with leading receiver DeMarcus Marin pulling down 12 grabs for 128 yards and a trio of touchdowns. Bryan “Wrongway” Baxter was another effective target making 6 receptions, for 75 yards, including a 35 yard strike during the opening quarter of the second half.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Flyers’ defense was equally as stingy, holding the Marauder running attack to just 80 yards. The secondary seems to be peaking at the right time as well, heading into the playoffs they haven’t allowed a passing touchdown in two games. With another interception on a JT Dye 3rd down inside of the Flyer 40 yard line, Lucas Alexander is fast emerging as a shut down corner that the opposing offenses will have to take into account during any game planning.

When asked about the Flyers’ dominance of a good Marauder team, Quarterback Scott Sanders had this to say, “Well, over the last week, we really came together as a team. Coach Waters put out some stiff goals, that took the whole team to overcome. It made us all pull for each other that much more, and really put it in our heads that if we all bear down, there’s nothing that this team can’t accomplish.”

How prophetic will Sanders’ words be? With three games left until the State Championship playoffs, St Joes is really coming on strong as a contender for the crown, in any kind of weather.

Stasis Kiss · Post by **Stasis Kiss** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:36 pm

bounces up and down on the bleachers, rain streaming off the ice hazing her form. The wooden boards creak dangerously with the extra weight but the excited girl doesn't seem to notice or care.

GO FLYERS! Yay, us! KICK ASS, HIGH TOWER!

Kali Jade · Post by **Kali Jade** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:54 pm

Sitting beside Stasis in the rain , Kali pulls the rain poncho... also known as a tall kitchen garbage bag around her tighter.
As Stasis bounces and cheers , Kali wipes the wet strands of dark hair away from her face and cheers along.

" YAY FLYERS! "
followed by her best jenny impression...

" RUN OBY RUN! "

Stasis Kiss · Post by **Stasis Kiss** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:31 pm

/hugs Kali with one wet, cold arm, forgetting entirely for a second that Kali is not exactly dressed for being half-strangled by a happy ice cube. Really, these bleachers were not built with this kind of abuse in mind.

Oby · Post by **Oby** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:26 pm

The team sat in the locker room, as coach paced in front of them, hands clasped behind his back, whistle dangling from the tied off string around his neck. The boys were all in civilian clothes waiting for Coach Waters' words.

"Boys, and Sam, the road we're going to have to travel is going to be hard. The field damage, cost us a game, and it means that we're not going to be able to play at Fliers Stadium. We'll be playing the rest of our games on the road." This elicited a groan of protest from the players. Coach continued, in a serious tone. "That means that we'll have 6 games away from home."

"Six?" Bryan spoke up, "But we only have three games till the end of the season."

A wry grin grew on Coach's face, "Well, Bryan, if you want to quit before the first playoff game, that's fine, but as of this weekend, with the loss that Templeton suffered, St. Joe's is officially in the playoffs!"

A collective whoop, and cheers erupted from team, and high fives filled the air.

"Hold on! Hold on!" Coach could be heard over the din. "Settle down, all of you." He took a moment to make eye contact with the whole of the team, as they sat back down. "Our job isn't over yet. We made it to the playoffs as of now, but as of now we're the bottom seed. We have three more games, as Bryan pointed out. I don't want to go into the playoffs from the bottom. With the field loss we can't get the top seed, so I figure if we win out, we'll be somewhere near the middle of the pack. What do you say Fliers, can we win out?!!"

'YEAH!!!"

"6 wins is all that stands between us and the championship. I want you all to think about that. Think about how much that means to each of you individually, and as a team. No one person can win or lose this, but each piece of this team has to dig down, right now and figure out what it means to them. If it doesn't mean enough for you to give me everything you have and leave it out on the field for any game we have left, you let me know right now." Coach walked along the benches, looking at each player in turn, before resuming his spot at the front of the team.

"Good, each of you keep that conviction for 6 more games." Coach looked at them, "Who are we!?"

"FLIERS!!" The team answered in one voice.

"Who!?"

"FLIERS!!"

"Now suit up and hit the buses." The team looked at him confused. "What? You didn't think that just because our field is damaged we weren't practicing did you? We'll be heading to the Paragon U JV field." Coach grinned at the astonished looks, "Now MOVE IT!!"

The players all scrambled to get their gear ready.

Oby · Post by **Oby** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:38 am

St. Joe's Opens Playoffs with a Rout

The St. Joseph's Flyers entered the state championship tournament as the number five seed, but played like a number one on Thursday, routing the fourth seeded Riverside Mustangs, 42-3.

Everything worked well for the Flyers, who displayed a balanced offensive attack and iron walled defense, that snuffed out any hope the Mustangs had of a long postseason run.

Things started fast for the Flyers, who took the opening drive 75 yards for the game's first tally. The Flyers played to the strength of game that got them where they are, with Scott Sanders providing the fireworks. After a first down, and two short gains, Sanders stepped back on his 42 yard line, and drilled a pass downfield to Wrongway Baxter, who snagged the ball between defenders, and showed he had no doubts which way the end zone was, taking it in for a 58 yard touchdown, and really, all the scoring that St. Joe's would need.

Riverside was able to establish nothing, all game. Linebackers Biff Hannigan and Jaygo Jones made sure that if anyone with the ball got through the line, they were met with rude, bruising force. The duo combined to force three fumbles, and had the Mustang Quarterback dancing in the pocket trying to avoid being sacked more than the 4 times the Flyers got to him. The pressure was further exhibited by Lucas Alexander being able to grab three of the four interceptions the Flyers thieved on the night.

By the time the game reached halftime, there was little doubt to the outcome of the game, the only thing that remained was to see what the final score would be.

In the second half, the Flyers went to the running game to eat up time, and with a 21-0 lead, they did just that. Antoine DuBois, who saw little time in the first half, shouldered the load in the second, piling up 175 of his 250 yards in the third and fourth quarters. DuBois finished the game with 250 yards, on 30 carries, and 2 touchdowns.

The Mustangs only score came after the only gaffe in what was otherwise a flawless night. Backed up at their own 40, DuBois took the ball and seemed to have a clear lane, but that closed quickly, and after a savage hit by Mustang Safety Jeremy Silver, DuBois fumbled the ball over to the Mustangs. After three quick downs, the Mustangs kicked a field goal.

Next up for the Flyers will be a real test on their road to the championship. They face the Mt. Pelon Paladins, who won their first round game 28-14. Mt. Pelon embarassed the Flyers earlier in the year, en route to the second seed in the tournament. Will we see the Flyers that played that game, or the juggernaut that rolled over Riverside? Next week will tell.

Kali Jade · Post by **Kali Jade** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 1:52 pm

Kali skips happily across the quad , pom poms still in hand and a bookbag slung over her shoulder.

Players and the rest of cheer squad have just returned from the game and the group is laughing and cheering the newest win.

Grabbing Stasis by the hand Kali twirls in circle and yells out ,

" We Won!!! Flyers Rule! "

Her pom poms brustling about and the book bag slips foreward whumping Stasis in the side.

" HAHA oh sorry Stas! But We WON!!!"

Gravwarp · Post by **Gravwarp** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:12 pm

Bryan watches Kali bound off down the quad. He smiles at Stasi as he walks past her. "We didn't just win. We trounced them."

Blitzen · Post by **Blitzen** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:54 pm

"Forty Two to THREE!" Sam called coming up beside Kali and Stas. "Awesome TD, wrongway, and Oby was like on FIRE!" She tossed her helmet in the air and caught it for emphasis, knocking it against the helmet Bryan was holding in his hand. "Next week's gonna be a toughie, but we can take 'em, I know we can take 'em! Five more games! GO FLYERS!"