Saturday; May 8, 2010
On location @ Cathedral Catholic High School
AKA:  “THE JAILHOUSE”
Pictures by DAVE ELLROD
(http://ellrodimages.com)
JASON SULLIVAN and GREG ELLIS; It was hard to decide the first words in describing a game like this; This game will have many stories, many heroes, many reasons for winning, but only one dynamic duo who put it all together, so believe that for me, it was hard to decide the first words in describing a game like this, One that will always be referred to as: THE GAME VERSES LA.

You could mention that statement in five, ten years from now, and as long as you’re talking to someone who was at Saturday’s Game, they’ll know which “game” you’re referring to.  “At the game”, as if it was merely an event, shame on me for not being a little more accurate; Saturday, May 8th, 2010 was a life changing experience.  Doubt me?, Talk to any ENFORCER PLAYER or COACH, ask him and then let their reaction tell you different.  This was a battle, and the reason the first words were SULLY and GREG is because this was the win they deserved…but they weren’t alone in being deserving.

YOUR ENFORCERS ‘BEAT LA’ CENTURIONS: 28 – 24, but that’s simply logistics;  the simple fact of a score at the end of any contest.   This one starts out with a couragous youngster who put on the ENFORCER jersey for the first time this year.  Earlier in the week, #31 MICHAEL SAUNDERS was nursing an injured knee he tore in the previous game; a tough ENFORCER loss to FDNY.  With many worthy reasons to sit out and cheer his ENFORCERS on the sideline, there was only one reason not to.  REGRET.  #31 MICHAEL “THE PARTY STARTER” SAUNDERS was like many of those to wear the RED and BLACK that afternoon.  Too concerned with letting his team mates down to allow something as petty as an “INJURY” to make his decision, he suited up to battle with his brotheren at the last contest of his first year.  First to take the field was the kickoff team.  First to make the tackle was the injured rookie.

I should correct myself fast, as I feel the haunting heated breath of the LEAGUES BEST PLAYER creaping closer.  The word ‘rookie’ had been striken from the ENFORCER vocabulary at the very start of the game.  A pre-game speech by #13 JASON “HOLLYWOOD” BURK included the very removal; stating, “First year players, you’re in this with us now; You’re no longer rookies.”  He continued and at the end had sent his inspired breath into the souls of every player on the team.  After BURK had grabbed the teams attention, like a shark swimming in the water, COACH BRIAN SOLMAN gave the soap box to #1 “SUGAR” SHANE LYNN.  LYNN took a moment and said, “Nothing else needs to be said.” All of the ENFORCERS got up from a taken knee to come together and hit the ENFORCER sideline…READY FOR BATTLE.

Next to make an impact in the game was RING OF HONOR nominee(and you heard it here first) #34 CAPTAIN JOHN “TOUGH AS NAILS” CARROLL.  On the CENTURIONS first possession, they decided to hand the ball off to one of their capable runningbacks.  CARROLL was quick to inform them that running will not be an option today.  #34 added to the notches on his beaten down helmet by tattooing his insignia in the middle of #38 KYLE BEIERLY’S chest for a loss of yardage.  The LAPD CENTURIONS proved quickly that they were going to be tough to beat as they took CAPTAIN JOHN’S hint and went to the air, connecting on a 23 yard catch to a crafty #4 BOBBY MEZA.  #10 DAN FERNANDEZ would continue to make a statement as he found #20 DAVIN STOVELL for another first down gain.  To keep the offense balanced, the surging CENTURIONS decided to run again.  With a heavy collision behind the line of scrimmage, CAPTAIN JOHN stated with authority, “YOU CAN’T RUN.”  With the momentum from LA stopped, they couldn’t pass any more either, so #34 JOHN “TOUGH AS NAILS” CARROLL and his DARKSIDE DEFENSE forced a punt.  Unfortunately for the RED and BLACK, LAPD was good at the kicking game and started flaunting so with a coffin corner kick inside the five.

First and ten for YOUR ENFORCERS on the 4 yard line.  Did I mention, the ENFORCER Offense had been a bit stale in 2010?  A ‘bit’ stale is putting the anemic passing game in a favorable light campared to the actual horrific ‘struggles’ this portion of the team had been facing.  To better understand the season long impact the woeful ENFORCER Offense has been suffering from consider this…

In CHARLOTTE, YOUR ENFORCERS won 10-0.  On the offenses behalf, the first three points did come from moving the football to some degree, late in the first half;  A first half that included the benching of stand out quarterback #14 JJ CARRELL. The next time the Offense did anything worth mentioning was when they were cheering #11 JOSHUA “SAY MY NAME” JEMELKA; watching from the sidelines as he ran an interception 78 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown.

Not woeful enough?   The ENFORCER Offense that had the football on the 4 yard line, was a month earlier throwing interceptions and incompletions to an LA HEAT team that in years past; they would destroy.  If not for the stiff-arming touchdown of #27 JAHIR “WALK ON” WATERMAN, and the inspired blocking from a tough ENFORCER line, YOUR ENFORCER Offense would have no say in the outcome at all.  But a win, is a win, is a win.  How bad can this ENFORCER Offense be? 

How about giving up more touchdowns than you convert.  Coming into HERO BOWL IV, The DARKSIDE had given up a total of two touchdowns all year, and only one that was against the first team.  (In Week 2, OC LAWMEN got a touchdown in the fourth quarter on a defense that was playing their back ups and back up back ups)  Needless to say, 2010 has been about the DARKSIDE.  Playing FDNY, the DARKSIDE gave up one touchdown, while the Offense gave up two. (It’s called a ‘pick six’, when the defense picks off the ball and runs the other way to score a touchdown.)  When DARKSIDE COACH KURT DEBNIAK said after the CHARLOTTE game, sometimes the defense will be called upon to win some games, and sometimes the offense will be called upon to win some games, I don’t think he meant for the other team.  If these words written are crippling and hard to stomach, try living in it.  To be apart of this ENFORCER Offense for the 2010 year was difficult at best.  Men, who were usually counted on were now being questioned.   From the Offensive Coordinator JAMES “THE PROFESSOR” KILMER, to the BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE LEAGUE CARRELL, to ‘go to target’ #81 CHAYIN “OH-SO-BAD” OSGOOD; the very best on this offense was questioned, and staring at 96 yards at the beginning of what was considered their only chance to make their season – HELL, TO MAKE THEIR FREAKIN’ LEGACY, it looked bleak.

ENFORCER OFFENSE – Three and out.  To regian momentum, on the punt #45 YOSIDRO “LITTLE ROCK” GRANILLO laided out shifty punt returner #80 DAVID “ENFORCER KILLER” ROMINES.  The hit must have inspired the DARKSIDE to continue such hitting as they forced a three and out of their own. But then the ying and the yang of the ENFORCER season continued…

ENFORCER OFFENSE – Three and out.

DARKSIDE DEFENSE – Three and out.

ENFORCER OFFENSE – Three and out.

DARKSIDE DEFENSE – Interception. Ball back to Offense.  -#99 ROBERT CRAIG came to me and said, “You tell the offense to hang in there. Don’t get frustrated and just get re-focused. We’re going to win THIS game.  Tell them to forget about a failed battle, just keep hanging in there to win (freakin’) the war.”  But “DR. DOOM” was too late…His plan for the Offense was already taken care of at Giovanni’s by the Quarterback that’s usually the first to get ‘frustrated’.  JJ had invited the Offense to dinner on his dime, two days before this very game.  The dinner could have been as prophetic as The Last Supper, it ended up in a healing session, filled with jokes, food, and more importantly ; A RECOGNITION OF PREVIOUS FAULT – a cleaning of a wound in need of attention.  That bonding would reveal itself in the game.    

ENFORCER OFFENSE – Three and out – No end in sight for this nightmare to end, except to say, NO ONE ON OFFENSE POINTED THE FINGER AT THE OTHER.  Tempers were cooled and focus remained UNIFIED…a sign of things to come, or a result of a bond formed by pizza and beer. 

DARKSIDE DEFENSE – Three and out, with a punctuation by #99 ROBERT “DR. DOOM” CRAIG with a sack on #10 FERNANDEZ.   With the ENFORCER punt return, #1 “SUGAR” SHANE LYNN not only gained 25 yards, but put a punishing hit on #18 DANA SMITH of the CENTURIONS as if SHANE forgot he was the ball carrier.  That hit started a spark for YOUR ENFORCER Offense.

After a Pass Interference call against the CENTURIONS, #10 TRACY ARMSTEAD went transformer and turned himself into a bus; carrying several CENTURION passengers for five of the toughest yards I’ve seen in a while.  Only the second catch of the day for the RED and BLACK went to #26 DAMON FOREMAN for 20 yards.  #14 JJ “WHITE LIGHTNING” CARRELL was feeling it, and decided to remind everyone why they call him “WHITE LIGHTNING” by gaining 14 yards with his feet.  The ENFORCER Offense was feeling the rewards of their resurging patients with one another as they were moving the ball.  The Second Quarter ended the First, but not the Offense’s drive.

SECOND QUARTER

#14 JJ CARRELL was feeling it.  He was moving HIS Offense down the field with his arm, his legs and most importantly; his head, calmly hitting #82 JASON “NO GLOVES, BUT LOTS OF LOVE” WEBER with a passers touch as WEBER one hands a six yard gain.  As he did the play before, #59 RICK “POW POW” PAWUEE, the ENFORCERS right tackle pancakes a blitzing #47 for the LA defense by using a technique which places one of POW POW’S big paws of the attackers hip, and the other BIG PAW ON THE DEFENSIVE ENDS’ THROAT. 

Both times the CENTURION aggressor brought the heat with bad intentions for the ENFORCER quarterback, both times “POW POW” made him pay with a credit card full of pain.  With the protection from the ENFORCER Offensive line, JJ had enough time to hit #26 DAMON FOREMAN once again, but this time it was just short of the first down.  Dejected that another drive faultered, the ENFORCER sideline was quick to let the Offense know, that they were at least this time moving the ball.  In fact, the Offense got close enough for a field goal attempt to try to put the games first points on the board.  As has been a part of the struggling Offenses story, the missed field goal was just another addition to the full plate of points left on the field this year. 

The LAPD CENTURION Offense took notice that their counterpart was starting to move the ball and knew they had to do something with this possession.  Moving the ball in the air is of little problem for #10 DAN “THE MAN” FERNANDEZ,  a polished gunslinger in his own right and his wide display of talented receivers.  DAN can carve you up with one of the best pass catchers in the league in #80 DAVID “ENFORCER KILLER” ROMINES,

 #10 can just as easily find #20 DAVIN “GAME SAVIN” STOVELL, or scoring threat #8 JAMES “SURE HANDED” SHANNON but for now the weapon of choice was #4 BOBBY “SET THE TABLE” MEZA.  FERNANDEZ, found that crafty veteran MEZA for a 33 yard hook up, and let the ENFORCERS know they should soften the pressure up front to help cover the passes he was completing.  The ENFORCERS started to throw more into pass coverage to help stop the bleeding, but no one told JOHN CARROLL to stop applying pressure because he kept laying out the wood.  Credit the CENTURION Offensive COACHING Staff for keeping the balance of run and pass, even for trying to set the run up with the pass, but their clever attempts to succeed on the ground failed.  (If only they would have read The Nation to find out about the ENFORCERS #34, CAPTAIN JOHN.  They might not have continued to try and run on his side.)  They knew about #99 “DR. DOOM” and stayed away from him. They knew about #52 SEAN “BIG MILL” MILLER, and stayed FAR away from him.  And they were finding out fast, to STAY AWAY FROM CAPTAIN JOHN. 

After the CENTURIONS fancy passing, they resorted to the run that continued to get unhinged by this CAPTAIN’S unrelenting drive.  Stop after stop, after stop, it was fourth down for the CENTURIONS. As if a time out was called from above, and in a symbolic silence in this moments time, The FOOTBALL GOD’S once again stood up and paid tribute to a classic middle linebacker that terrorised his opponents for years.  In what appeared to be slow motion, a recounting of the wornout but tireless warrior’s heart.  #34 JOHN ”TOUGH AS NAILS” CARROLL hobbles off the field like the cast iron gladiator he will always be remembered for.  Credit the man’s legacy to be sure, and credit the ENFORCER DARKSIDE COACHING STAFF for putting this proud football player in the spot he deserved to be in for his last game;  In the middle of that DARKSIDE DEFENSE.  

On fourth and five, with the destructive #34 CARROLL on the sidelines, and the surging #14 CARRELL chomping at the bit to come back off the sidelines, the CENTURION Offense desides to ‘go for it’.  With so many options running down the field, DAN “THE MAN” tosses it to “ENFORCER KILLER” ROMINES for a 26 yard catch and more importantly for the CENTURIONS, a new set of downs.  Blood has started to trickle in the waters and the assassin throwing bullets around left and right was itchin’ to get one in.  But this ain’t no ordinary defense, IT’S the DARKSIDE, they win games, not just drives and #10 FERNANDEZ had no where to go. #80 “ENFORCER KILLER” covered.  #8 “SURE HANDED” SHANNON covered. #20 DAVIN “GAME SAVIN” STOVELL stone cold covered.  Hell, even the little running back #6 JONATHAN HANANIA was covered. 

With what seemed like the fifth read, and a fierce #92 HOLLINS breathing down his neck, #10 DAN FERNANDEZ found the little island in the ocean with a #23 scratched in the sand and ALLEN written on the back of his jersey.  Touchdown for the LOS ANGELES CENTURIONS. Doing the imposible; scoring on the DARKSIDE defense, but doing so more out of desperation, for LAPD knew at HIGH NOON there was going to be two gun fighters at this duel.  CENTURIONS 7, ENOFRCERS 0

In order for the ENFORCER gunslinger to take the field and have a chance, the Offense had to find their way.  Whatever mending transpired in the days before had appeared to have been working.  The bickering and aurguing derived from past failure may have been from the frustrations of not coming together; not living up to the teams capabilities. 

In efforts to be on the same page as the signal caller, the receivers had to know the plays, the offensive linemen needed the repititions to work out the kinks of unfamiliarity, and more importantly the Offensive Coordinator had to change the mothods in handling this offense that his instincts had failed to advise him of earlier in the season.  COACH JAMES “THE PROFESSOR” KILMER has had to bear the worst of the 2010 ENFORCER Offensive Melt-down.  He takes the failures of this Offense personally.  Everyone around him, including the man laying out these words before you, let him take the fall.  IN MY OPINION,  JAMES KILMER CAN COACH.  He’s proven it in the past, he’s laid out reasoning for his Offensive attacks and he’s broken down the defenses of the other team in placing his ENFORCER Offense in the best possible position to succeed.  The one area that he didn’t brake down, was how to get his personnel to respond. 

This was what THE PROFESSOR did to change the Offenses woes; Quite simply, COACH KILMER went to the basics.  At practice, he only went through the basic plays all the ENFORCER player already knew.  Instead of clouding the Offenses mind with additional plays specific to the team being played that week, he just had his ENFORCERS run those same basic plays over and over and over, until we as an offense couldn’t get it wrong.  As if his own child was waking up from a deep comma, the result of his own adjustment to dealing with his team was actually being displayed before his very eyes. For added justice, COACH KILMER’S adjustment was unfolding before a JAIL HOUSE full of ENFORCER FAITHFUL for everyone to see. 

#27 JAHIR with a run up the middle, 2 yards.  #82 JASON “NO GLOVES BUT  A LOT OF LOVE” WEBER with another two yards.  Small, but executing, which is great because catching is contageous.  #82 JASON WEBER again for an 8 yard first down reception, and on this play, #61 DAN RUIZ is a brick wall, impossible for #42 of the LAPD CENTURIONS to get around.  With the extra time given from RUIZ and his Offensive Line, #14 finds his main target #7 CORY HIGBEE; and JJ’S CONNECTION WITH HIGBEE IS FREQUENT.  This time it was frequent enough for 27 yards and inside the ten yard line of the CENTURIONS.  The connection of JJ to HIGBEE has become a classic line in the stories of successful ENFORCER drives.  This would prove no different as #7 CORY HIGBEE’S presence left #82 JASON WEBER wide open for the easiest 8 yard touchdown throw and catch I’ve seen in the four years here.  The announcer said, “TOUCHDOWN ENFORCERS. JJ CARRELL to JASON WEBER”, but he’d be just as accurate in stating,  TOUCHDOWN ENFORCERS; CORY HIGBEE occupies the attention of the CENTURION defense.  ENFORCERS 7, CENTURIONS 7

Either way you say it, the world’s biggest burden had not only been removed from COACH KILMER’S shoulders,  but as looking at the man was my first instinct, I saw an emotional out burst of incredible satisfaction and unbelievable joy.  To only have an idea of the torturous pain this man had been living with, and for me to be able to see that for this man, for the first time in a long time, the heavens finally opened up and offered him a reward to his dilligence.  COACH KILMER let out a yell that specifically told all the negative energy in his world that: “You can’t beat me for long, I will continue to persevere.”   This , for me, was a welcomed sight.

Time to tee it up, and see how LAPD would respond, #31MICHAEL SAUNDERS is first down the field, but can’t cut to make the tackle on #80 ROMINES.  The move SAUNDERS makes is a costly one as he continues relentlessly to persue, but must do so limping.  It now becomes questionable to have him in the game, but don’t try to tell him to leave the field that he loves.  The DARKSIDE Defense is lovin the field too, as they impose their will on a talented offensive group.  Now the DARKSIDE has reason to believe they can start winning amongst the elite, the offense appears different than what they were during the difficult season.  Even after the ENFORCER Offense goes three and out, the DARKSIDE picks up the intensity and shuts down #38 BEIERLY and the CENTURION Offense. 

#52 SEAN “BIG MILL” MILLER is a man among boys and his intimidating presence is causing opposing players to make mental mistakes.  A high snap to the punter, SEAN zeros in on the punter and catches his attention; the punters attention on MILLER was probably before the snap of the ball; hell, probably before he got off the bus, SEAN exhails a blowtorch off frieght as the punter is too shaken to pick up the bouncing football.  Finally, the back field safety jumped on the pigskin to ensure the ENFORCERS couldn’t run it back for six points.

With an Offense that now has the ball and seemingly knows what to do with it, they wisely hand the ball off to JAHIR WATERMAN.  Carries of five and three yards show the CENTURIONS that they must respect the run.  The CENTURION Defense obliges, but on their terms as they mix up the blitz package and send five angry cops to congest the line of scrimmage. 

On most games, it’s tough for an Offensive Lineman to get some love.  It’s the battle in the trenches and THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THE TRENCHES: STAYS IN THE TRENCHES because it’s just too gruesome, it’s just too ugly.  But today you get to see what the BIG MAMMOTHS up front mean to this team.  #56 of the LA CENTURIONS is a BIG deal.  “One of the best, other than ROBERT CRAIG.” commented #62 JAMES “THE PANCAKE MAKER” SWINEY, who was having a tough time making pancakes on account of the batter he was going against was too thick.  #56 is DONNY “LOCO” PEKO (As in locomotive).  He’s 6′ 6″ 300 lbs. OF NASTY.  HE COMES AT YOU LIKE A FRIEGHT TRAIN WITH A FULL HEAD OF STEAM.  And he was giving SWINEY, a tough S.O.B. in his own right, a fight every play.  With such a BIG mess to deal with, the rest of the line would seem to be in trouble, but #61 DAN RUIZ expects nothing but solid play from his fellow Offensive Line.  He shows this by example.  While JJ has time to kick back and read the defense, it’s because RUIZ is standing his ground and punch blocking an aggressive #9 of LAPD.  #61 is as crafty of a veteran as this League has ,and he was schooling one of the better NPSFL Defensive Linemen.  #9 JOSH SKEBER was twisting, punching, swimming, hammer fisting, basically running through every trick in the book…To bad for him #61 DAN RUIZ was the teacher in this class room.  RUIZ SHUT HIS GUY DOWN.  

JJ had done enough reading and on this third down had the time to find two open ENFORCER receivers.  #7 CORY HIGBEE was the one to come down with it and after 8 yards, CORY had the first down.  (“CARRELL to HIGBEE”, where have I heard that before.)  With the ENFORCERS close to the end zone and time of the first half winding down, the luxury of having too much time caught up with the quarterback as he was sacked for a 9 yard loss.  (Coverage sack) Frustrated, but showing no signs of discouragement, the ENFORCER Offense yeilded to the Special Teams to take the games advantage by three. 

#19 JAKE “THE FOOT” HOUCHIN has had a rough season, but you couldn’t tell by his confident demeanor, that guy is ice.  One of the reason’s I’ve glossed him, “THE FOOT”.  He usually just comes in, kicks and goes back to the side line.  Last year he was one of the best in the league at doing so, when 2010 chimed in, something had disrupted his rythem as his second kick for three was no good. 

This time his attempt near the end of the first half was blocked.  As weird as the ENFORCERS knack for leaving points on the field this year, was the number of the jersey which to whom was the latest to steal points belonging to the RED and BLACK; #0 VEASNA HOUT with the block.

The LAPD Offense got the hint again, and the ball with fairly decent field position after the blocked kick left a turnover on downs.  Instead of kneeling on the ball, the CENTURION Offense went aggressive and decided to take the fight to the ENFORCER Defense.  #8 “SURE HANDS” SHANNON had not been heard of nearly enough today, so to make sure his name got in the papers, #10 FERNANDEZ threw him a 32 yard dart that might still be embedded in #8′s chest.  Close to #16 KOHL’S field goal range, the gunslinger wearing the white hat had to take a couple chances at the end zone.  Due to the DARKSIDE, being the DARKSIDE, the pass attempts were incomplete.  Safe to say, #91 NICHOLAS “NICKELS” FERGUSON and #92 DUSTIN “THE SUNDEVIL” HOLLINS was not feeling FERNANDEZ’ vibe.  But FERNANDEZ was feeling their breath closing in.  The defensive stand was enough to force the visitors to kick for three, but the distance was great and the difficulty was…well appearently not enough to slow down #16 MATTHEW KOHL’S ’foot’ from converting.  LAPD 10, ENFORCERS 7. 

 The half would end, but the story line is just beginning.

HALF TIME:

In a game like this, a rivalry game, you feel tired after the first half.  In fact, many would claim, they feel as though, they’ve played a full game in only two quarters.  The impact on the injuries for the ENFORCERS would back that statement up.  The biggest of which is the loss of Special Teamer #31 MICHAEL “THE PARTY STARTER” SAUNDERS and the ENFORCER FOUR YEAR STARTING CENTER: JAMES SWINEY.  Now, keep in mind, the ENFORCERS are a talented team and deep in all positions…except one.  When SAUNDERS leaves the game, it’s a loss, but we have more than willing and capable participants to fill in. Would they be as spirited, or as excited: AS HEAD HUNTING?..No, he is after all the ‘PARTY STARTER’, but his replacement will be comperable.  SWINEY HAS NO REPLACEMENT.  That is to say, he can not be replaced.  Not physically, not emotionally, not practically; If Swiney is gone we have to use a gaurd.  And of coarse it has to be a crazy Fighting IRISHMAN that would even try to replace ’Ol SWINTONIO.  Yet here the ENFORCERS sit, oblivious to the dangers of missing such a valuable piece with a hairline fracture in his right foot.  DR. PAUL “DOC” MARSH goes over SWINEY’S OPTIONS, but none #62 likes.  It involves keeping the bench warm. 

The tough guy reading this scenerio may say…TAPE IT UP!  Sounds simple, only that you have to consider a few IMPORTANT things… #1. You can’t tape a hairline fracture to make it better especially in the foot.  To even try to stablize the injury is like trying to tape up bones in a bowl of jello; it’s freakin’ broken; nothing you can do. #2. SWINEY’S not going against your mom out there.  #56 PEKO is as bad as they come, and he doesn’t take plays off.  So I guess it’s hit the showers for ‘Ol SWINTONIO, except this is the same man who played the entire 2007 season on the field, and did so into 2008, until a sport jacket incident took him off.  And, unless you could convince him the interlocking ‘LA’ stood for Louisiana, you couldn’t drag his butt off with a t-bone steak.  SWINEY, although banged up, continued to play.

In the locker room, the mood was straight business like.  The Defense was hungery to get back onto the field, as usual.  (Hell, THE DARKSIDE WOULD STILL BE HUNGRY AFTER AN EATING BINGE AT THE LOCAL BUFFET.)  The Offense wanted to start capitalizing on missed opprotunities.  COACH KILMER took a page out of a successful 2009 season and instead of telling his players what was going wrong, “THE PROFESSOR” asked what was working, and what the Offensive line believed would work in the second half.  After LISTENING to HIS PLAYERS, COACH KILMER and the Offensive Coaching staff made the appropriate adjustments.  This would prove invaluable as the ENFORCERS as a team would end up needing all three entities if they were going to beat the CENTURIONS on this day.

THIRD QUARTER:

The second half of the ENFORCERS most important game begins.  COACH KILMER is quick to wonder how his center is doing.  SWINTONIO is going to give it a go, but instead of saying he’ll be slowed down due to an injury or asking if one of the gaurds could help out with PEKO; JAMES “SWINTONIO GATES” SWINEY rolls up his sleeves and continues his battle with the massive LOCOmotive. 

The CENTURIONS are forced to kick the ball to the RED and BLACK to start the second half, but must cover the kick fast to limit the field position of the pass happy ENFORCERS.  I find myself in the middle of this game with my helmet on, chin straps buckled – peering at my targets with voracious intensity.  I was in the game, and was responsible for getting MY ENFORCERS the best field position possible.  But I wasn’t without my physical boundries.  My right knee is taped up and as solid as a torn acl is going to be.  I am certain other ligaments in that knee are shreaded too, but only an MRI after this game will tell me which ones.  In my mind set at the time, my knee did not matter.  By the time the football left the foot of the LAPD kicker it became clear that I would be no hero today.  #13 ROBERT PHILPOTT is lightning and he’s the first to get by me.  Realizing he was the first threat to our return game, I made the best attempt to slow him down by diving and causing him to adjust his persuit route slightly, THAT is to say; my slowed, weakened body did nothing to prevent him from making the tackle.  But I’m not on just any football team.  I play for the RED and BLACK, with men like JAMES SWINEY who continue to fight without thought to their own issues.  IT’S TEAM FIRST AROUND HERE, BABY!  So before my body fully hits the ground, I pop up as if COACH SOLMAN himself was inside my cranium encouraging me to get up and finish.  Having TRACY ARMSTEAD running the ball helps too because he was able to juke and run around the first wave of would be tacklers.  By the time I got to the action, #13, LA’s version, was within arms reach and dove to make a would be shoe string tackle.  As PHILPOTT started his dive, my driven determination was able to meet his at just the right time for me to lay him out, in fact, it was my first pancake of the season as I turned my head and watched ARMSTEAD race off for another ten yards.

The inspiration that drove me to never give up was taking the field with the other Offensive Linemen, SWINEY will be tested on this drive. 

With a one – two punch, the ENFORCERS try to force it down the CENTURIONS throat with JAHIR and TRACY.  After a total gain of four yards, it was time to go to the air.  #27 JAHIR WATERMAN is as talented a back as you’ll find in our League.  He can run, and an 8 yard pass from JJ CARRELL proved what everyone already knew; he can catch.  It became the JAHIR “WALK ON” WATERMAN show as the ENFORCER Offense handed the ball to #27 for a quick three yard gain.  The ball again went to JAHIR for another 6 yards.  JAHIR couldn’t be stopped and the frustrated CENTURION Defense knew it, as they let both WATERMAN and their tempers get the better of them.  After a personal foul, the ENFORCERS gained another 15 yards.  COACH JAMES KILMER and the entire stadium knew what was happening next…A BIG DOSE OF WATERMAN.  Back inside the trenches, #62 JAMES SWINEY is put to his test.  On an injured right foot and in excruciating pain, SWINEY lined up with a fist on the football, a grunt in his breath and a trick up his sleeve.  #56 PEKO was starting to get the better of the impaired center, and he knew it.  #56 PEKO was the reason the ENFORCERS were forced to bounce the run to the outside. 

With SWINEY playing possum, PEKO was tricked into thinking he was better than he was, as ‘Ol SWINTONIO acted as if PEKO had beaten him inside.  While PEKO thought he’d have another play stopping tackle, SWINEY mashed up on #56′s side for a thick battered pancake.  With the solid gamesmanship from SWINEY, the play action worked to perfection as COACH KILMER called a robber screen to “CENTURION KILLER” #7 CORY HIGBEE.  The perfect throw, the in rythem catch and the fast feet of HIGBEE meant a BIG MOMENTUM changer with the second halfs first score.  This time COACH KILMER started acting like scoring was expected, while the other ENFORCERS were beside themselves with excited dillerium.  With the lead and The DARKSIDE Defense;  THE GAME WAS PRACTICALLY WON!    ENFORCERS 14, CENTURIONS 10. 

LAPD knew it too.  Their Offense tried, but it was too late. That DARKSIDE Defense smelled blood in the water and every DARKSIDE member became a shark, devouring any CENTURION play possible.  FERNANDEZ would show fight in throwing a first down completion to MEZA, clearly trying anything to regain some for of momentum.  Ultimately, after several incompetions,  #52 “BIG MILL” dropped the quarterback again for a ten yard loss. (This would become a trend.)

ENFORCER Offense – Three and out…but did not matter, game was won.  #25 JARAD “ALL P” PRESTON was threatening the friendly skies with punts having so much hang time, they gave the CENTURION punt return game jet lag.

LAPD Offense makes things interesting with a 30 yard strike from FERNANDEZ to MEZA(another catchy phrase).  But with the DARKSIDE and the NEW BLOOD of first year starters, the threat was never real.  #11 “SAY MY NAME” makes another big play and picks off a throw intended for MEZA.  You can’t fool the DARKSIDE twice…you can barely fool them once.

ENFORCER Offense – Three and out.  #2 CHRIS “POUND FOR POUND THE GREATEST FOOTBALL PLAYER ALIVE” BUCHANON makes a note worthy tackle on a punt return attempt of the “ENFORCER KILLER”, who was having a tough time “KILLING” the ENFORCERS today with stops from the 4′ 2″ BUCHANON.

LAPD is now struggling big time to even connect once during a drive as #6 JERRY WEARY gets picked on, but does the bullying.  WEARY knocks down two consectutive long ball attempts and causes FERNANDEZ to hold on to the ball despite “BIG MILL’S” thirst for more quarterback meat.  This time, #52 sacks #10 for a 15 yard loss. 

ENFORCERS Offense – Three and out, as in 0-3 on field goal attempts.  A fiesty ENFORCER Offense moves the ball and threatens to put more points on the board.  LAPD even helps with a hard count from JJ enticed the CENTURIONS to give a quick five yards, free of charge.  #27 WATERMAN ran it for another 4, while #10 ARMSTEAD got the first with a hard earned three yards.  With the Offensive line blocking to near perfection, and a huge block from #27 WATERMAN, even “WHITE LIGHTENING” himself, thought it was a beautiful day for a jog as he trotted on for 7 yards to end the third quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER:

Where’s that nail to place in the coffin?  The fat lady was tuning the pipes and the ENFORCER Offense was continueing their run, giving the DARKSIDE rest and once again threatening to score.  JJ to ARMSTEAD for a gain of 4.  #17 WILL “THE THRILL” LOREN steps up for a huge first down, a 21 yard advance.  “CARRELL TO HIGBEE” for a fat 12 yards that puts “THE FOOT” within his range.  Things were going so well, DARKSIDE LINEBACKER COACH DAVID GARITTY said, “The swagger is back.”  Unfortunately, the only threat this season was the record for most points left on the field as “THE FOOT” hit the right upright for a turn over on downs.  Kicking can be a tricky thing.  Like golf, anyone thinks they can roll out of the rack and just start kicking.  But, if you don’t practice your craft, it can get away from the best of us.  Fortunately the inconsistancy at the Kicking position this season did not factor into a loss, the Offense was to blame for FDNY, but the futility in that portion of the kicking game has led to the necessary unphatheming heroics from the DARKSIDE Defense. 

DARKSIDE Defense – Three and out.  That Defense carried on as if the game was still over;  with ROBERT CRAIG still making tackles and #91 “NICKELS” and #68 MIGUEL “EL GATO” CORONADO chasing quarterbacks.   Unfortunately, that LAPD punting game was kick for kick with the ENFORCER punting game, and placed the ENFORCERS back inside the ten. 

ENFORCER Offense – Three and six. as in “Pick six’ the other way. With the connection to HIGBEE is as well known to the ENFORCER FAITHFUL, it became well known to the CENTURION Defense.  “HIGS” was tripple teamed so much so, that I couldn’t find him until after the ball was caught and returned, when the CENTURION defenders parted ways to celebrate with the interceptor #3 RASHEED SAAFIR.  CENTURIONS 17, ENFORCERS 14

Game NOT over, and it certainly wasn’t because of the DARKSIDE Defense.  I would hear all season long, that it isn’t all about the DARKSIDE.  I heard that the Offense needs love too.  This is why I wasn’t giving them their love.  They were costing us chances to win, and here they were SNATCHING DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY.

I wasn’t the only one pissed.  #81 CHAYIN “OH-SO-BAD” OSGOOD would finally be heard from this 2010 ENFORCER Season.  JJ found the disgruntled receiver for an impressive 16 yards.  What was impressive wasn’t the fact OSGOOD became apart of the offense for the first time this game, it was the way he became inspired.  #81 caught the six yard throw, but decided to punish the CENTURION defenders for another ten, laying out defensive backs and linebackers alike.  OSGOOD is like Randy Moss.  HE TAKES OFF PLAYS, but when he’s focused, and it’s rare this season, HE’S THE BEST IN THE BIZ.  ”OH-SO-BAD” picked a GREAT time to be focused.  

With OSGOOD reminding the CENTURION Defense that he was wearing RED and BLACK, the Offense opened up and for JJ finding #7 CORY HIGBBE was simple arithmatic.  After a 21 yard catch from “HIGS” things got ugly.  Linebacker, #5 ROBERT LOCKHART for the CENTURIONS was injured.  The result of a ‘focused’ OSGOOD and one of his punishing blocks.  (I told you OSGOOD was a bad man; “OH-SO-BAD”)

As the intensity for the game rose, the referees held their whistles and let the boys play.  An obvious pass interference call on HIGBEE was just an example of a game they let get out of hand.  The next play, the CENTURION Defense was the unit to smell blood in the waters as they sacked the pass happy CARRELL for a ten yard loss.  The CENTURIONS were feeling it and let the Offense know it as they began taunting the ENFORCER Offensive line.  Tempers got the best of these men as a fight broke out amoung the two lines.  The trenches were earning their reputation as ugly once again, except standing out in the fight was “OH-SO-BAD”.  Fortunately for the ENFORCER Offense he found a dance partner and the un-sportsman-like penalties were off-set.  Good thing, because with OSGOOD being ‘focused’ and the Offense refusing to point fingers;  being down in the fourth quarter was just how they like it.  The story was being writen before I could get pen to paper. 

Funny thing about stories, when a master piece comes to life, you don’t always know it.  The Offense was putting up a fight, which is good, but with #10 FERNANDEZ the game was quickly in question as the White Hat Gunslinger showed up in the middle of the DARKSIDE street and fired the bullet of death to who else, but “ENFORCER KILLER” DAVID ROMINES.  CENTURIONS 24, ENFORCERS 14.

Something had to be done.  The ENFORCERS couldn’t allow their rivals this victorious satisfaction.  SPECIAL TEAMS COACH GREG “THE HAMMER” LLYOD gave the instructions to the his Kick Retrun.  “Where’s my front five? I want you guys to just turn and hit somebody.  The rest of you guys for a wedge.  We need a solid return.  WIN ON THREE. One, Two, Three, WIN.”  The ENFORCER Special Teams advanced the ball to the 48, giving the Offense their best field position of the day.

ENFORCER Offense – Three and out.  You couldn’t describe a worse feeling as an ENFORCER Offense responding to an LAPD touchdown with a three and out.  I listened closely, but couldn’t hear blame being passed out, or a helmet being thrown, or a JJ yelling and cursing.  The scene didn’t seem real.  The Offense gathered on the side lines and simply talked about what to do on the next drive.  This scene didn’t seem real, because it was one of continuous focus by the entire Offense.  Great improvement, but with a little over 5 minutes remaining, the only benefit at this point was the foreseen improved environment at the eventual End-of-the-Year Banquet.

Then a strange thing happened, the DARKSIDE made a play, but did so in despiration.  Defensive Coordinator KURT “THE GODFATHER” DEBNIAK, yelled out to his defense, “We need someone to make a play.  SHANE, we need a pick.”  “SUGAR” SHANE LYNN looked back to the sidelines and said, “We need to return it for a touchdown.”  The next play, “SUGAR”, as if he was writing the script to this miracle picked off #10 FERNANDEZ and the careless CENTURION Offense.  Why LAPD decided to throw in the fourth quarter with a ten point lead was beyond me, but it might of had something to do with CAPTAIN JOHN telling them they can’t run earlier in the game.  Regardless, the ball belong to an ENFORCER Offense that wasn’t done with their season yet.

“CARRELL TO HIGBEE”, From the ENFORCER 45 to the CENTURION 5;  JJ dropped a fifty like he was buying dinner again. On the next play, with HIGBEE covered by the entire CENTURION team, CARRELL went to “OH-SO-BAD” for a game changing play that still left the CENTURIONS with the lead, but not a chance.  CENTURIONS 24, ENFORCER 21

The quick score left 4:35 on a fourth quarter clock, that made the visiting team nervous.  With the BIG BAD ENFORCERS back, LAPD tried to run out the clock.  First run, stuffed. Second run, stuffed.  LA was far too cleaver to beat themselves as FERNANDEZ crushed some hopes of a great comeback with a 30 yard strike to #20 DAVIN “GAME SAVIN’”.  HIGH NOON was finally here and the streets were starting to clear.  The White Hat had his say and took his best shot.  #52 “BIG MILL”, made sure JJ would have an opportunity to fire his last bullet, as FERNANDEZ was brought down for a loss of six.  On comes the LAPD punter who downs the ENFORCER Offense inside the twenty again.  You could make a case for their punter #18 DANA SMITH to be the CENTURION Player of the game. 

With 2:35 left in the game, the dust starts to kick up and a tumble weed rolls by the artificial turfed field.  The RED and BLACK Hat Gunslinger takes the fight to the middle of the dusty street, but has one statement before he does.  And what would one expect from the BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE LEAGUE?, “I’m going to win this game, Danny.”   Now, I’m not running around with a rocket for an arm, but that’s some tough talk.  It’s usually a T E A M that wins.  You need “BIG MILL” to sack quarterbacks, you need “SUGAR” to intercept some footballs you need COACH LLYOD to change up a special team call on the fly to get good field position.  But JJ’S going to win this game by himself.  That’s how I took it at first, but then as if I was having an out of body experience, the 2010 season flashed before my eyes.  Place blame on an anemic Offnese where you want to, but the most glareing result is the quarterback play.  In the FDNY game, the reciever ran the wrong route; a curl instaed of a post.  Timing routes being a timing thing, JJ threw to where the receiver was supposed to be.   The linebacker covering that receiver?  That #44 AKA: loud mouth.  An easy pick six later and the game was just as ugly as the one ten minutes ago.  JJ gets the heat, no one mentioned that reciever and no one knows about that receiver, but they know about JJ throwing the ball.  In a season of struggles that CARRELL has had to bear, this was a moment for him to shine.  A platform that was built by his team mates.  A platform for him to make the critics go away.  A platform for him to win.  I snapped out of the TEAM FIRST THOUGHT and realized HE NEEDED THIS FOR HIS TEAM, the same redemption COACH KILMER was looking for was on the shoulders of #14.   I told JJ that this is a moment the BEST QUARTERBACK in the League deserves.  #14 JJ “WHITELIGHTNING” CARRELL took his hat, placed it on and said words I’ll never forget, “You always believed in me Danny.  Let’s bring it home.”  ‘Let’s’ as in LET US – TEAM – UNIFY - COME TOGETHER TO BECOME ONE.  That’s what a team is really.  It’s the ability of individuals to bring together their traits; their stregnths, their weaknesses, their adversity for one common purpose or goal.  And that goal was to BEAT LA! 

The ENFORCER answer to DAN FERNANDEZ took his hat and his six shooter, with all eleven bullets by his side. 

“CARRELL TO HIGBEE” for 7 yards.  

#35 WILSON “THE THUNDERING PINEAPPLE” UEGLIGITONE carries for another four yards and a first down.  Time out is called with 2:06 left in the battle.  

JJ to WILL “THE THRILL” for 8 yards.

JJ to “WALK ON” WATERMAN for another 8 yards and with it the first down…clock is ticking, but JJ looks surprisingly calm.

Incomplete, but in a good way, as a  frustrated version of JJ would have held on to it for a loss of yards and the clock running out.  The ENOFRCERS will take the incompletion.

1:30 left and JJ is running for his life.  He escapes pressure, but the CENTURION Defense has taken away all of his receivers.  JJ’s feet has given him ten yards of open field to run, but the turf snake comes up to bite him.  

“Put in HIGBEE.” was an unwelcomed statement from behind.  I look to see a couple of DARKSIDE members, they have had to deal with an Offensive let down after Offensive let down this season.  Disappointed with their comments; I at least, had the comfort if being in the know, and turned to watch the greatest comeback orcastrated by the greatest quarterback. 

JJ to JAHIR for 11 yards.  The Offensive line is tired, but you can tell they are the reason for the season’s last stand.  A fired up SWINEY is feeling no pain and #70 CHRIS “BIG CHIEF” FLORES is crushing his guy into the JAILHOUSE carpet. 

“CARRELL TO HIGBEE” for 23 yards for a first down to the 21 yard line.

58.6 seconds left in the game.  JJ to OSGOOD for 13 yards.  EASILY WITHIN “THE FOOTS” RANGE.  #25 “ALL P” has “THE FOOT’S” back and informs the coaching staff that #19 HOUCHIN is ready.  After three attempts, even I’m confident in JAKE being able to send the game into overtime, but “CARRELL TO HIGBEE” has other plans.

36.7 seconds left. 

INSIDE THE HUDDLE, The men are hurt and injured, but feel no pain, their tired and expired, but ready to sprint to the end of the race; ready to finish; a battlle cry of season’s past.  JJ with sweat dripping from his ten gallon hat, raises it a bit and looks over his Offensive POSSE.  His dirt covered face grins a mischievious stare to his faithful sidekick in HIGBEE.  “You’ve got one of two options. I’m either going to throw the fade or the fade stop.”  A quick smiling nod from CORY HIGBEE and his reply, “Okay, the fade stop.”  

As by one complete unit, THE HUDDLE breaks and heads toward the line, looking like a heard of  wild mustangs.  The sky has turned a dusty orange.  The fans of both teams, and LA had represented well, are on their feet trying to bring the JAILHOUSE down.  The game was on the line.  LAPD’S biggest fear was coming to fruition.  After a ten point lead with five minutes left, the ball was being snapped and a destiny was being fulfilled.  As if the players we’re reminising at that very moment, forms of the game were being viewed slowly as to take in every bit of this time.  The Defensive line was charging the Offensive line.  PEKO and SWINEY were locked in, moving the earth with their tireless battle.  The linebackers and corners were reading and reacting to an explosion of receiving options being ran at them and towards them, in all different directions.  The fullback charging forward to challenge the on coming rush, allowing CARRELL to pull off the perfect pass…AND IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. 

A rainbow arch with touch that would pacify a crying baby, lofted into the outreached hands of the talented wideout.  The last bullet fired off by the winning gunslinger was a mid-court big air ball placed with laser guided precision.  JJ couldn’t have e-mailed the ball to HIGBBE more acurately.  And the celebration couldn’t have been any sweeter.  The fans on the home side were jumping up and down, cheering and couldn’t believe the game they had just seen.  The JAIL HOUSE had never been ROCKED harder.  The players wearing RED and BLACK were jumping up and down, high fiving and hugging each other as if we had all won the lottery, only our prize was earned by a sacrafice not able to be paid with money.  Those who have suffered the most during this season were living the kind of dream inspirational movies fail to capture.  (Rudy and his ghosts from Norte Dame, were with the Football Gawds clapping and crying.)  Guys like #34 JOHN CARROLL, #52 SEAN MILLER, COACH JAMES KILMER, #61 DAN RUIZ, #99 ROBERT CRAIG, #14 JJ CARRELL, #62 JAMES SWINEY, COACH THAD PORLAS, #19 JAKE HOUCHIN, #6 JERRY WEARY, #85 JOHN WIESE, #57 GEORGE FLOOD, #44 JORDAN MIRAKIAN, #36 FRANK WILSON, #13 JASON BURK, #11 JOSHUA JEMELKA, COACH GREG LLYOD, #59 RICK PAUWEE, COACH ROBERT WILM, #35 WILSON UELIGITONE, #69 JASON BECKER, #33 JOHN CANNON, COACH DAVE GARITTY, #5 MARQUIS HULTZ, #91 NICHOLAS FERGUSON, PRESDIENT JASON SULLIVAN, #17 WILL LOREN, COACH ARMANDO ESPINOSA, #2 CHRIS BUCHANON, #45 YOSIDRO GRANILLO, #27 JAHIR WATERMAN, COACH JORGE REYES, #3 ALPHONSO ASH, #29 LESLIE PINO, #10 TRACY ARMSTEAD, COACH KURT DEBNIAK, #81 CHAYIN OSGOOD, #37 TONY DAVID, #64 SEAN DAVIDSON, #40 AL SIAPNO, COACH EDDIE BROCK, #51 ERIC NEWSHAM, #90 MARK MORENO, COACH XAVIER PORLAS, #25 JARAD PRESTON, #28 KENNY LAWRENCE, COACH QUINN EARLY, #41 ISHAN WELLS, #22 KEVIN CRAWFORD, #92 DUSTIN HOLLINS, #1 SHANE LYNN, VICE PRESIDENT GREG ELLIS, #31 MICHAEL SAUNDERS, #82 JASON WEBER, #71 CHRIS FLORES, COACH BRIAN SOLMAN, #68 MIGUEL CORONADO, COACH CHRIS WYNN, #74 IGNACIO BRAVO, #26 DAMON FOREMAN, #67 WILLIAM FOSS, #7 CORY HIGBEE;  THESE MEN HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE THIS DAY, TO STAND AMOUNG THE IMMORTALS, THEIR EFFORTS WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED, AND THIS GAME ALWAYS CHERRISHED. 

The names of the above are with consideration of the enitre ENFORCER team, those written and those not.  There were many stories, many inner victories and defeats, but most important was the perseverance and the commardery these men put together.  WE WERE ONE HELL OF A TEAM:  The 2010 SAN DIEGO ENFORCERS.              

…To be continued…IN 2011!