Saturday, April 10, 2010  

On location @ Pasadena, CA  

The Rose Bowl vs. LA HEAT  

Pictures by Dave Ellrod  

(www.ellrodimages.com)  

Words, just can’t describe being inside the Rose Bowl, but I’ll start with the obvious;  GRAND DADDY OF THEM ALL!  What an honor to play on these hollowed grounds. Looking at the Rose Bowl from the outside is a heart stopper as it is, but once inside, you can see the ghosts of gridiron
 greats starting to encircling you, checking your heart to see who you are;  If you’re a fan, if you’re a coach, or if you’re a player.  It’s as if you’ve got a survey in your gut to fill out before you can step onto the grass turf.  Are you going to just play, OR give every last drop of sweat in your pores, every last breath inside your lungs, every last beat in your blood pumping heart – because this venue will accept nothing less.  Today on this field, both teams did the later and #37 TONY “THE GREAT” DAVID gave IT the most.  

Late August of 2009, a set of wild fires ripped through the Los Angeles County area to include the City of Pasadena.  Firefighters and public safety personnel from all over the region came together and after many days, weeks, finally suppressed the heated disaster.  The same fervor the Los Angeles County Fire Department utilized to extinguish the burning inferno was deployed on YOUR SAN DIEGO ENFORCERS.  The LOS ANGELES HEAT and their MERRY MEN OF MAYHEM; a defensive line that is the teams unquestioned strength, proved to the ENFORCERS that this rivalry is to be taken seriously.  This lesson was already known to ENFORCER president JASON “EL PRESIDENTE” SULLIVAN.  With five league teams on the 2010 ENFORCER schedule, only FOUR can be qualified as a league game.  SULLIVAN wisely chose this LA HEAT team as the odd man out, perhaps knowing, in advance, the respect the Los Angeles Firefighters deserved.  The same heroes that battled the 2009 flames, battled YOUR ENFORCERS only to fall within ONE POINT; 9-8 ENFORCERS WIN  

  

Those crafty firefighters must have known they had the ENFORCERS number, because even though they won the toss of the coin, they elected to defer to the visiting team.  Well, that or they didn’t want to face the famed DARKSIDE DEFENSE.  The LA HEAT showed the fans in the ROSE BOWL they knew what they were doing as the ENFORCERS fumbled on their first possession.  The host team started to prove something else;  THEY HAD NOTHING TO FEAR.  #10 TRAVIS MARI threw an uppercut, as their first punch challenged the DARKSIDE secondary for 40 yards.  MARI’S high arch to a well covered MARK MCLEOD seemed to be a call to the Rose Bowl heavens, answered in the hands of #17.  Then came the sudden jabs.  11 yard completion to MARK’S brother #19 HAVON.  11 yard completion to #6 MARK OLIVER.  With the HEAT just two yards out and before the lying beasts from the DARKSIDE could wake up, the HEAT tried to shove the football down their throats.  LA handed the ball to the capable hands, or I should say over powering feet of #35 JAY SILVERMAN.  Someone must have woken up #1 “SUGAR” SHANE LYNN, because that guy ran over a fullback to put a hit on #35 that jarred my fillings loose.  “SUGAR” must have immediately woken up #13 JASON “HOLLYWOOD” BURK because HOLLYWOOD gave SILVERMAN the same bad review of negative yardage.  The hit BURK put on SILVERMAN then must have woken up the rest of the DARKSIDE DEFENSE because after his hit, #74 IGNACIO “NACHO” BRAVO and #56 AARON ”THE BEAST” HOXIE tackled the HEATS third attempt to run on the DARKSIDE.  The LA HEAT nervously called the games first timeout.  Listen in as Your ENFORCER NATION gained exclusive access into the LA HEATS conversation during this timeout.  

“Look here, my fellow Los Angeles area firefighting offensive football players, WE CAN’T RUN ON THESE GUYS.” said the HEATS’ Obvious Coordinator.  

Strategically, though a tough pill to swallow, they were right.  They had woken up the beast and knew that scoring opportunities would be limited.  Courageously, on 4^th down and close enough to smell the grass on the other side of the thick white line, the HEAT decided to go for it.  The DARKSIDE was ready to stop the run and the HEAT knew it.  YOUR SAN DIEGO ENFORCERS were in the back field before you could blink, tackling the would be ball carrier for yet another loss or so it would initially appear.  HEAT QB TRAVIS MARI and RB JAY SILVERMAN put on a play action that fooled everyone in the stadium.  As #35’s helmet hit the ground, MARI pulled the hidden football from his side and delivered a nasty strike to LA HEAT fan favorite #18 MIKE DELEON for six.  Half of the stadium erupted, as the other half starred in shock.  The all BLACK attired HEAT scored on their first offensive series for a touchdown.  The Los Angeles HEAT proved to themselves they had nothing to fear in the DARKSIDE DEFENSE and appeared laughing at the once proud entity.  Unfortunately for the HEAT; THE BEAST WAS NOW AWAKE.  The offense for the LA team would now prove obsolete for the remainder of the game, not even being able to convert on a Point After Touchdown.  The LA HEAT 6, ENFORCERS 0.  

On the ENFORCERS second possession, the ENFORCERS started warming up to the place.  #10 TRACY ARMSTEAD a powerful 12 yard run, shedding tacklers.  #14 JJ CARRELL throws to the middle of the field to find a sure handed #82 JASON WEBER for a 32 yard gain. CARRELL again on point with a connection to #27 JAHIR “WALK ON” WATERMAN for 9.  While being so close to the first down, the ENFORCER offense got stopped, mostly by a defense that knew when they were running and knew when they were throwing.  The HEAT stuffed the line and the next three plays, causing a turn over on downs.  The defense needed to come up big and take this game over.  

First play for the surging HEATS second drive, with the momentum on their side; MARI drops back and decides to attack the secondary again.  This time his primary receiver was #25 for YOUR RED AND BLACK; JARAD “ALL P” PRESTON.  The first pick of the game would provide the event with a bit of foreshadowing, as THE DARKSIDE took many opportunities away from the hopeful Los Angeles offense.  

Just like that, the ball was gift wrapped and returned to it’s rightful place; YOUR ENFORCER OFFENSE.  JJ got to work quickly and throws a 15 yard completion to #7 CORY HIGBEE.  However the HEAT’S MERRY MEN OF MAYHEM strike as #99 tosses JJ down in the back field for a loss and eventually forced the visiting team to punt.  In classic repetitive fashion, a fired up and very awake ENFORCER defense returns the ball back again as #52 SEAN “BIG MILL” MILLER is chasing down quarterbacks and forcing bad decisions while #37 TONY “THE GREAT” DAVID is starting to introduce himself to the FIREFIGHTERS OF LOS ANGELES.  

Here’s where the ENFORCER offense need to do some waking up themselves.  After a three and out, which, with this talent should never happen, the special teams threw one out of the back of the end zone for the last points the host team will see on this day.  LA HEAT 8, ENFORCERS 0.  

With the ball in the hands of #10 and the HEAT offense, this proved to be the perfect time to orchestrate a drive to show the ENFORCERS the first drive was no fluke…Damn, that DARKSIDE DEFENSE… no sense for drama, as they continued to do what they do, except this time, TONY DAVID was acting like he had a personal vendetta against his colleges from LA.                       

The SAN DIEGO ENFORCERS are comprised of many different law enforcement and fire fighting personnel…actually, we’re comprised of law enforcement personnel and (with the exception of rookie #17 WILL “THE THRILL” LOREN), pretty much just TONY DAVID.  Not that WILL doesn’t have an impact on the team, he contributes with his blocking and timely receptions; it’s just that TONY’S been riding with us as the Lone Ranger on the ENFORCERS for the four years the ENFORCERS have been re-born.  So when we play against a team comprised of mostly fire fighters, you can bet TONY “THE GREAT” pays attention.  

With the HEAT with the ball after the safety and their final two points, our story starts to take off.  #37 has the natural instinct to find the ball.  If you blindfold him for a play, I truly believe he’d sniff it out.  I’ve glossed him THE PLAYMAKER in years past, because of this very trait; he makes plays.  This time, TONY was putting the hurt on people.  A run to the right side is a run to the defenses left, #28 for the HEAT hadn’t been hit like this all game when meeting DAVID head on.  The head on collision is nothing new for #37.  TONY’S hat is one of two of the prettiest helmets on the team, the other belongs to #34 JOHN “TOUGH AS NAILS” CARROLL.  These helmets are beautiful because no one else on the team has as many abstract designs and array of colors from the souls of the other teams played that these buckets have.  Just the sight of the deepened gashes and mauled iron face masks bring the kind of chill to a spine only found in the artic.  The word gladiator could be used, if it carried with it a sense of tenacious longevity.  Give the man his glory, because the hits take their toll.  

TONY’S neck isn’t right and he knows this, but what he doesn’t know is how to leave his brothers alone on the football field. After the shot on HEAT running back, JONITH JOHNSON, TONY can’t leave, but looks to help from the IMMOVABLE DARKSIDE.  “BIG MILL” and #56 AARON HOXIE take over as those two reek havoc on HEAT quarterback TRAVIS MARI. “BIG MILL” is MONEY, because you can always count on him, but AARON HOXIE is playing like a BEAST, so he just got nicked as a freakin’ rookie. Introducing #56 AARON “THE BEAST” HOXIE, one of the ENFORCERS new blood, that has made big plays this season on a continuous basis.  

After these men’s efforts, the ball is once again in the possession of the RED and BLACK.   

JJ to HIGBEE, 12 yards for the first.  #20 JEREL WOODS being hit in the back field, does his impression of a bus and starts to pick up passengers; each yard carrying another member of the HEAT. Five passengers later, the bus finally stopped short of the first. The story of the offense; moving the ball, but not finishing.  #36 FRANK “THE TRUTH” WILSON stops the punt returner for negative yardage.  

DARKSIDE stops the other teams’ offense for a three and out. (I’ve got that sentence saved based on the number of times it gets used in the games re-cap…let’s just say it happens often.)  What also happens often is #37 TONY DAVID helps with the three and outs with another big hit, only this time his neck can’t take it any more and he takes the bench.  While the offense is given the ball again, I go to check on DAVID who seems out of it.  I go up and let him know he’s having a hell of a game, but he can’t turn his head to look at me. In a semi-unconscious state, and obvious pain, his eyes strain over to the side I’m at and he grunts with teeth clenched, “Neck pain. Nothing they can do.”  I shake my head and stare clumsily at the chunk of paint missing from his helmet.  I notice more than just paint missing as I take in TONY’S heroic efforts.  I notice the decal on the right side of his hat.  Now, the side of my helmet says our name. Not a fancy mascot, an interlocking SD to represent our city; we know where we come from; but instead you’ll find the letters ‘E.N.F.O.R.C.E.R.S.’ because WE ARE THE ENFORCERS.  This is a team sport, football is. You rely on your teammates to accomplish their assignments as individuals to come together for the betterment of the total sum.  

BUT YOU START PLACING YOUR NAME WITH THE GREATS WHEN YOU SACRAFICE YOUR ABILITY TO WALK FOR THE SAKE OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF.  Just like the symbolism in the books you’ll find in some twisted fictional section,  the letters ‘R.S.’ are missing.  Like a freakin’ Terminator, TONY may not be all there, but you’ll get all he has.  I hear my name in the back ground as COACH GREG LLOYD is trying to get me in for the final two minutes of the half; as I leave to go in I catch what it says on TONY DAVID’S helmet, ‘ENFORCE’.  The little petty scratches I’ve got are no longer an issue as I take my one and a half legs and try to pull a TONY DAVID, throwing myself into whatever mess I can get into.  I see first hand just how big and nasty the HEAT have become, but with my brothers fighting by my side we march down the field.  Threatening to score, we fight, but leave more points on the field and walk into half time down. HEAT 8, ENFORCERS 0.  

HALF TIME  

It’s half time and this is the moment where coaches separate themselves from mortal men.  You see, even though I’ve seen the ENFORCERS down at half time before and come back victorious, I was a little nervous inside that Rose Bowl locker room…Enter COACH QUINN EARLY.  Not his first trip to the Rose Bowl, #1 QUINN EARLY and his 1985 IOWA HAWKEYE’S  took on the world’s expectations verses UCLA for the Rose Bowl crown and the inside track to the National Championship.  He took from that game a dose of adversity after the heavily favored 10-1 Hawkeye’s fell to the ‘visiting’ home team; 45-28. (UCLA’s home games are usually played at the Rose Bowl.)  COACH EARLY was now faced with an 8-0 deficit at half time with his ENFORCERS.  

Coach quickly gathered the offense together; he had something to say.  With a look of determination, you could see the anguish which lied within his thoughts.  Looking at the man, who ran onto this field with purpose once ago, he was trying to draw on his experience, his tongue attempting to spit out the words of encouragement.  After a few attempts at speaking, his words were finally found, but it was a fall back to one of his core beliefs, an inspirational exercise that was written for many with a general intended purpose.  Loosely COACH EARLY’S words were as follows; “The measure of a true champion is not when you continue to win, but what you do in the face of adversity.”  A key chapter in one of the NFL’s great receivers’ motivational speeches, but he wasn’t just trying to deliver the speech to a bunch of businessmen, or a group of middle school kids preparing for life.  COACH QUINN “IT’S ABOUT US” EARLY was choked up…he was trying to rip something out of the pages of his soul, but continued to catch himself as to not get caught up in the moment. He wanted to appear calm and confident for His ENFORCERS through this tough time.  I always knew COACH EARLY had our backs, but during that speech I began to think; HE WAS ONE OF US.  (Check out COACH QUINN’S web site @ http://www.quick-feet.com )  

COACH GREG “THE HAMMER” LLOYD took over with pen in hand and started to tactically demonstrate the chess game that was being had within the trenches.  #61 DAN “COACH ON THE FIELD” RUIZ also made points to the offensive line and offered sound advice for the younger linemen.  RUIZ called all the offensive linemen together and challenged the first group in to finish a drive and get ALL ENFORCER LINEMEN a taste of the ROSE BOWL.  After the circling of the wagons, the Offensive line was ready and lead the team out for the second half.                   

Second half  

With the team refocused and the stir of the storm now calmed, the DARKSIDE takes the field knowing they must pitch a shut out.  The HEATS’ JONITH JOHNSON is out to prove THEY CAN RUN THE BALL, and takes the first carry of the second half for 12 yards, shifting and moving away from the ENFORCERS talented linebackers.  #37 TONY DAVID was not about to have the third quarter start like the first.  He throws his mangled neck into the fight HEAD FIRST, causing the second run to be gained for negative yardage.  The hit grabs the attention of everyone in and around the stadium, including the ENFORCER sidelines and including the DARKSIDE DEFENSE which took the hint early and imposed their will from all aspects known to the their violent tendencies.  

The HEAT tried to attack the secondary as best they can, but were quick to find out “THE TRUTH” with another pass deflection.  Instead of learning from their mistake, #10 MARI tries the secondary again.  On their third play in the third quarter, the HEAT couldn’t get the thrown ball past the defensive line.  A tipped ball from defensive end  #51 ERIC NEWSHAM finds it’s new home in the hands of outside linebacker #52 Ray Lew…damn, my bad. #52, “BIG MILL”, who instinctively takes it to the sideline and heads up field, nearly scoring a fourth defensive touchdown in as many games.  With the ball on the HEATS’ 8 yard line, the ENFORCER offense was challenged to put this ball in the end zone.  

Instead of the one guy on offense stepping up, the ENFORCERS relied on the totality of the Offensive line, who blocked and pulled on a sweep to the right.  #59 RICK “POW POW” PAUWEE took this opportunity to decleat two HEAT lineman which allowed the ENFORCER gaurds to swing out and occupy a few linebackers who were aggressively trying to stop the play.  With the football in the capable hands of #27 “WALK ON”, it appeared smooth sailing to the end zone for the first offensive touchdown in two games.  Before the easy six could be taken, the hard hitting secondary of the HEAT had other plans.  Their lightning quick feet and instinctive ball hawking skills allowed them to suddenly place darkened clouds in front of the clear sailing WATERMAN.  The combined efforts of the offensive line had again appeared to be for not, as the speed that #27 JAHIR’S feet were giving him seemed not enough.  #21 of the defense, DAVID JONES, stepped up to make a tackle at the line of scrimmage.  STIFF-ARM. #42 ED “SURE TACKLE” ZUBO stepped up right behind to make the play a small gain. STIFF-ARM.  Finally #39 for the HEAT, DAMIAN MARQUEZ had enough of watching JAHIR running and decided to go all out in taking out JAHIR.  STIFF-ARM. For the third time in one play, #27 JAHIR “WALK ON” WATERMAN stiff-armed his way for end zone entry.  HEAT 8, ENFORCERS 6.  The try for two was a quick strike to #35 WILSON “PINEAPPLE EXPRESS” UELIGITONE.  

After a sure-handed reception, and just shy of the plain of the goalline, eleven members of the HEAT defense jump on the “PINEAPPLE” for a failed two-point conversion.                     

Momentum had no idea which jersey to put on this time.  While holding onto the two jerseys and still in limbo, Mo watched the ENFORCERS kick off to the HEAT.  While scanning the field, he didn’t see the HEAT returner get stopped after a few steps, MOMENTUM WAS STAREING AT THE ENFORCERS’ #21 AJAY ALLEN.  Even though the Los Angeles fire fighters were trying to impose their will by punching the ENFORCERS smallest player in the mouth with two BLACK jerseys, MOMENTUM saw #21 fighting back.  Not illeagally and getting his team a penalty, but in standing in to fight and not backing down.  The ENFORCER sideline got jacked up and immediately got introduced to their newest team mate; #21 “ENFORCERS NOW HAVE THE” MOMENTUM.  

Not quick to lay down JONITH of the HEAT took the football on the first play and advanced it not 12 but 14 yards this time, expressing strongly that there are two teams on this field.  On the second play, MOMENTUM kept on the ENFORCER RED and BLACK but sported the #25.  JARD “ALL P” PRESTON, with the help of #11 JOSHUA JEMELKA, jarred the ball loose and fell on the magic bean; POSSESSION ENFORCERS.                  

#14 JJ “WHITE LIGHTNING” CARRELL CAUGHT AN IGNITING THE HEAT’S FIRE FIGHTERS COULD NOT CONTAIN.  JJ to HIGBEE sounded cliché once again; this time for 13 yards.  JJ to OSGOOD sounded GOOD as-well for another 6 yard advancement.  JJ’S arm was so hot, he threw to a wide open HIGBEE and found a one handed catching WATERMAN, who seemed to be just as lethal with his hands this game as his unstoppable legs.  After a 14 yard gain, #39 MARQUEZ finally hooked up the fire hose and doused JJ’S arm by sacking his body for a loss of 8.  On 4^th down, the ENFORCER coaching staff elected to kick the field goal and placed the games pressure on #19 JAKE “THE FOOT” HOUCHIN. ENFORCERS 9, HEAT 8.  

After JAKE’S automatic 3, the pressure now fell on the DARKSIDE DEFENSE, who collectively take the games outcome personally.   Everybody wants to win.  We all have a strong desire to do whatever it takes to get that “W” at the end of every game.  Members of the DARKSIDE are just different.  It would be disrespectful and wrong to make a stupid comment like members of the DARKSIDE want to win more than the other teams we play.  We play in a league filled with HEROES that put their lives on the line.  Be it fighting fires, like the HEROS that play for the LOS ANGELES HEAT, or the HEROES that put out fires in New York, like the BRAVEST or even our most heated rivals from Los Angeles, the HEREOS that take on the streets of LA on a daily; THE CENTURIONS.  The league has the added dimension other football can’t possibly imagine, especially the NFL, who’s players are more concerned about a pay check than a team or IT’S FANS.  (Can’t say I blame those guys, but while their satisfaction is in a ridiculous signing bonus, our leagues members get hyped making a bust that makes our streets safer.)  Now enter the unique demands of the DARKSIDE.  Our league plays hurt, we care not about saving ourselves for greener pastures of the next contract.  A typical NPSFL team will play battered and bruised, may be even injured; all the leagues players have heart.  THE DARKSIDE IS MENACINGLY DIFFERENT.  Take TONY DAVID for instance.  I’ve seen that guy play on the ENFORCERS for four years.  I’ve seen him hit hard in practice.  Hell, we’ve even had our collisions where I gave our fire fighter a concussion.  (Of coarse being the giver TONY is, he kindly separated my shoulder, but that’s just iron sharpening iron)  I’ve seen DAVID make plays and change games with his tenacious brand of hustle, beating double teamed blocks to make the tackle, fumble recovery, or interception.   SO WHAT!, WHERE’S THE DIFFERENCE?  He makes plays, plays hurt; WELCOME TO THE NPSFL.                   

THE DIFFERENCE IS RIGHT FREAKIN’ HERE!  

  

After that concussion in practice, which also gave him a stinger, #37 TONY “THE GREAT” DAVID goes back in.  I’m a tough SON-OF-A-BIATCH, my own right, but I’m on the sidelines nursing an arm I can’t move.  It’s practice, and as Alan Iverson of the 76ers once said, “We’re talking about practice. Not a game, Not a game…PRACTICE”  DAVID goes back in, where he continues to beat down his own teams offense.  

TONY took that same mentality back in the Rose Bowl, and the DARKSIDE FEEDS OFF OF HIS COURAGE.  The man could lose the use of his legs, arms, anything lower than his freakin’ neck…think about that, there’s a lot going on below your neck and keep in mind- HIS WIFE IS GOERGOUS.  DAVID literally risks it all for what kind of glory…THE KIND OF GLORY THE NFL WILL NEVER KNOW.                  

As if the script this day was written specifically for the fire fighter from San Diego, #28 JONITH JOHNSON thickens the plot with another impressive run, this one for 15.  #88 JASON WELLS can’t be stopped on the next play either, catching a first down from MARI.  And just as Momentum started exchanging his ENFORCER jersey for a BLACK one, TONY DAVID takes his facemask and TATOO’S elusive HEAT running back JOHNSON for a loss of yardage.  You could nail the ENFORCER jersey to MO now, TONY has had his say.  After a sack on the HEAT quarterback by HOXIE, the ball goes back to JJ and the offense.                  

As much as can be said for getting points on the board, the main goal is to have more points than your opponent by the end of all four quarters.  With over six minutes left in the third quarter, the offense sustains a drive that takes the game into the fourth quarter riding JJ’S arm like it was a Cadillac.  With key blitzing pick ups from #35 UELIGITONE and the offensive line, time was ticking away with one point dangling as the difference.  Flirting again with scoring points, the third field goal attempt in the game is a failed one.  The HEAT try to do something about it and start again with their star running back.  This time #28 gains 5 quick yards.  SILVERMAN gets a rep and lowers his head for 6 yards and a first.  #10 to #88 WELLS and this time DAVIDS’ heavy hitting doesn’t stop another HEAT first down.  DAVID gets up slow and appears to try and clean out the cob webs.  This terminator is nearing the end of his movie, looking unrecognizable, giving literally every last drop of sweat, every last breath, every last beat of his blood pumping heart.  Sensing the urgency, the title of the leagues best player belongs to JASON BURK; he picks up where DAVID left off and tackles #28 at the line of scrimmage.  BUT TRAVIS MARI and JASON WELLS CAN’T BE DENIED.  The DARKSIDE’S heavy hitting makes WELLS nervous at first, bobbling the ball before he’s able to pull in the completion.  Nervousness aside, the HEAT is moving the football regardless.  JONITH takes the rock another 9 yards. #23 CARLOS RODRIGUEZ introduces himself to the DARKSIDE with 5 yards of his own.  FINALLY “HOLLYWOOD” and “THE BEAST” had enough; BURK and HOXIE start drawing the line; teaming up for a hard tackle.  #74 “NACHO” BRAVO makes another tackle.  And closing the door on a promising LA HEAT drive was “DR. DOOM” #99 ROBERT CRAIG, with a HUGE 4^th and short stop.  

JJ and his offense start with promise themselves with a quick strike to #7 CORY HIGBEE.  After a 7 yard completion to HIGBEE, “WHITE LIGHTNING” runs for 8 yards and the first down.  After JJ showed his range of play making abilities, with his arm and legs; CARRELL shows off his brains and inner drive.  A tipped football from one of the MERRY MEN OF MAYHEM, JJ fought to keep the possession to the RED and BLACK.  With the ball high in the air, the 6’ 5” QB fought off a towering #98 MITCH “IRONMAN” FURMAN, knocking down the ball away from the hands of the defensive lineman, who was not only looking at nothing but grass on the way to the end zone, but was also looking at the HEATS second win of the season.  On 4^th down, the ENFORCERS were happy to punt.                  

In the closing minutes of the game, the two teams fought like staggering prize fighters, exhausted, but still staking their claim to the Rose Bowl victory.  “DR. DOOM” powers through the HEAT offensive line for a loss of yardage.  The HEAT won’t win on the ground today.  MARI attacks the secondary going to the first connection of the game #17 MARK MCLEOD for 15 and the first.  Striking while the fires hot, #10 TRAVIS MARI goes deep.  One of the ENFORCERS HITMEN, comes up huge; #9 MARVIN DUNCAN picks off the HEATS attack and gives the ball back to the offense.  

Three and out.  DARKSIDE back onto the field.                  

As if to say, “IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO OUR OFFENSE; WE WILL BEAT YOU.”  #56 AARON “THE BEAST” HOXIE recovers his forced fumble and gives it back to JJ with only 2:35 left in the game.                  

Trying to preserve this win, the ENFORCERS ask the same offensive line that led the team onto the field to lead it off victorious.  #10 TRACY ARMSTEAD found #41 ISHAN “ISH” WELLS and ran behind that guy as if WELLS was headed to the promise land.  ARMSTEAD was headed for a much needed 8 yards.  The run was successful and was called upon again to get a scavenging offense an elusive first down.  With WELLS opening holes, and ARMSTEAD following, the ENFORCER offense prove their worth and get that first down and then some.  Grateful COACH THAD PORLAS rewards his powerful blocking fullback with some “sugar” handing “ISH” the rock, with the possession arrow pointing favorably towards the ENFORCERS chances of adding at least 3 more points.  On 4^th down and a minute left, JAKE “THE FOOT” HOUCHIN lines up for an important field goal.  As soon as foot met ball, HEAT defender met “THE FOOT” for a roughing the kicker penalty.   The penalty had ensured the hard fought victory would belong to the ENFORCERS.                  

After the victory formation from the offense, the clock read zeros, and the ROSE BOWL scoreboard read ENFORCERS 9, HEAT 8.  The battle was over and the sweat and blood asked for was given.  Along with the HERO of the Game, TONY DAVID, the ENFORCERS came together to overcome a scary Los Angeles HEAT team.  Next Opportunity; More fire fighters; the East Coast version.  (FDNY)