Round one of the inaugural SCAFL season started strong last Saturday as the LA Swans took on the IE Fire and the OC Bombers faced off against the 951 Raiders. Inland Empire was the host for the first round of games, and though the weather was cold and cloudy, the rain was kind enough to hold off while the games were being played.
LA Swans vs IE Fire:
Having placed second in the recently completed Arizona Metro Tournament, the LA Swans came out guns blazing against the IE Fire. Lead by their captain Steve Cliff, the first quarter would see LA jump out to an early lead, with six goals in the frame. Strong defense in the back line from Adam Howarth, Andy “Big Country” Lindsey, and newcomer Justin “Deep End” Ivey, would hold the Fire to only 3 behinds in the first quarter.
Refusing to be intimidated, the Fire came out hard in the second quarter behind the huge efforts of Matthew “Mad Dog” Morgan and Darrin “Dazza” Olsen. Moving the ball well, the Fire were able to kick 3 goals and 3 behinds, while their defense surrendered only 1 goal and 2 behinds in the frame. Strong play from rookies Michael Johnson and Jeremy Robinson helped give the Fire momentum heading into the half. Halftime would find the Swans up with 7 goals and 4 behinds (for a total of 46 pts) to the Fire’s 3 goals 6 behinds (for a total of 24).
As the third quarter started, it was obvious the Swans wanted to put the game out of reach. Behind a fierce offensive attack, lead by Cliff, Janni Mirosevich, Corey Irwin, and Mark O’Shea, the Swans controlled the flow of the game. With their defense again strong, allowing only 2 goals and 2 behinds, the Swans were able to pound the ball down their end of the field, scoring 4 goals and 5 behinds. They would continue this momentum into the fourth quarter, where they would pile on an additional 6 goals and 5 behinds, to the Fire’s 0 goals 2 behinds.
When the dust had settled, the Swans had emerged with an impressive victory:
LA 17 goals, 14 behinds total: 116
IE 5 goals, 10 behinds total: 40
LA Goal Scorers: Steve Cliff (5), Corey Irwin (4), Janni Mirosevich (3), Mark O’Shea (3), PJ Ahern (2)
IE Goal Scorers: Matthew “Mad Dog” Morgan (2), Jeremy Robinson (2), Michael Johnson
LA Best on Ground: Steve Cliff
Others receiving votes: Janni Mirosevich, Mark O’Shea, Corey Irwin, PJ Ahern
IE Best on Ground: Darrin “Dazza” Olsen
Others receiving votes: Michael “Mad Dog” Morgan, Michael Johnson, Phil “Filthy” Castillo
OC Bombers vs 951 Raiders:
The second game of the day would see the 951 Raiders take on the OC Bombers. With both teams a little short on numbers, PJ Ahern, Corey Irwin, and Adam Howarth from the LA team jumped on the OC side, while Tim “Frenchy” Legere, Alan Frasier, and Phil “Filthy” Castillo from IE threw on jumpers for the 951 team.
The first quarter would see hard battles from both sides. With neither team giving an inch, goals were hard to come by. The Raiders would hold a slight edge at quarter’s end with 2 goals 2 behinds, to the Bomber’s 2 goals 1 behind.
Coming out more focused after the quarter break, OC went on the offensive in the second quarter. Behind strong play through the middle, thanks to Brad “Bradels” Wetherall, the Bombers were able to push the ball down their end of the field. First time ruckman, Ryan Lorseyedi, was able to win the majority of the taps, while Chris “Macca” McNeil proved age is just a number with his strong play in the forward line. Not to be outdone, the Raiders, lead by Chris Olsen, Deron Lien, and rookie Roderick Bush, made a late run at the end of the quarter, but were only able to manage 1 goal and 1 behind to OC’s 3 goals, 4 behinds. At the half the Bombers held the lead, with 5 goals, 5 behinds (total 35), to the Raider’s 3 goals 3 behinds (total 21).
The third quarter would see the Bombers continue to push the Raiders
offensively. With forwards McNeil and Mike “Hershey” Hertstein playing well, the Bombers were able to pile on 4 goals and 2 behinds. Corey Irwin also got in on the scoring, although he seemed to lose a step after going down on a vicious tackle by Bush. At the other end of the field, the OC defense, lead by KB Nelson, was able to blank the Raiders on goals, allowing only 3 behinds in the quarter.
The fourth and final quarter would see the Bombers pull away as McNeil, Irwin, Hertstein, and Wetherall continued to pound the ball down the field. Kelly Nelson, moving up from the back line to get his first run in the middle, added his own play to the highlight reel, by receiving a tap from the ruck, breaking free, and snapping a long kick for goal. Chris Olson did his best to help keep the Raiders in it, kicking a long goal of his own, but it would not be enough. The Bombers would kick 5 goals in the quarter with the Raiders kicking only 1 goal and 2 behinds.
OC Bombers 14 goals, 7 behinds total: 91
951 Raiders 4 goals, 8 behinds total: 32
OC Goal Scorers: Chris “Macca” McNeil (4), Mike “Hershey” Hertstein (4), Corey Irwin (3), Brad “Bradels” Weatherall (2), Kelly Nelson
951 Goal Scorers: Chris Olson (3), Deron Lien
OC Best on Ground: Brad “Bradels” Weatherall
Others receiving votes: Corey Irwin, Chris “Macca” McNeil, Kelly Nelson
951 Best on Ground: Roderick Bush
Others receiving votes: Chris Olson, Deron Lien, Alan Frasier
Hats off to Inland Empire for hosting the first round of matches. Perhaps most impressive on the day was the play of SCAFL’s new recruits. It seemed that every team on the field had new players contributing to their team’s success. This goes double for both 951 and IE. Though they recruit in virtually the same area, both teams have been able to bring in many new and talented players. Undoubtedly as this season continues on we will all get to see these players progress. Congrats to all those involved in round one, and here’s looking forward to Round 2 on 3/25/06 hosted by the 951 Raiders.
- Aritcle writen by Corey Irwin
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