game preview: enforcers at philadelphia blue flame
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DATE: May 17th, 2014
TIME: Noon (ET)
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA
TIME: Noon (ET)
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA
Enforcers LB Brian Atkinson and DL Joe DeRosa
THE LAST TIME OUT
The Enforcers travel to the City of Brotherly Love on the heels of a hard-fought 7-6 victory over the NYCD Boldest in the Gold Star Memorial Bowl. The Enforcers came back from a halftime deficit for the second game in a row, trailing NYCD 6-0 going into the Lane Stadium locker room at half.
The offense was able to capitalize on a NYCD miscue by way of a Chris Williams (#21, IDOC) touchdown run in the third quarter, followed by a Chris Lenti (#10, Unit 177) extra point to give the Enforcers a 1 point lead that they would not relinquish.
The story of the game was the Enforcers defense, which shut down NYCD's power-run oriented offense. The defensive line, without captain Aaron Chappell (#93, Unit 213), especially stood out, with a Chris Beranek (#90, Illinois DOJ) sack and forced fumble sealing the Enforcers victory late in the game. The defense held strong through the last series of play, and all hopes of a Boldest comeback were dashed when Chris Inniss (#45, Unit 413) deflected a 4th down Hail Mary attempt. Other defensive highlights were displayed by linebackers Brian Atkinson (#52, CCDOC) and Rick Richardson (#44, Wheeling PD), with Atkinson recording 11 tackles and a sack, and Richardson tallying 9 tackles, 2 of which were for a loss.
The Enforcers travel to the City of Brotherly Love on the heels of a hard-fought 7-6 victory over the NYCD Boldest in the Gold Star Memorial Bowl. The Enforcers came back from a halftime deficit for the second game in a row, trailing NYCD 6-0 going into the Lane Stadium locker room at half.
The offense was able to capitalize on a NYCD miscue by way of a Chris Williams (#21, IDOC) touchdown run in the third quarter, followed by a Chris Lenti (#10, Unit 177) extra point to give the Enforcers a 1 point lead that they would not relinquish.
The story of the game was the Enforcers defense, which shut down NYCD's power-run oriented offense. The defensive line, without captain Aaron Chappell (#93, Unit 213), especially stood out, with a Chris Beranek (#90, Illinois DOJ) sack and forced fumble sealing the Enforcers victory late in the game. The defense held strong through the last series of play, and all hopes of a Boldest comeback were dashed when Chris Inniss (#45, Unit 413) deflected a 4th down Hail Mary attempt. Other defensive highlights were displayed by linebackers Brian Atkinson (#52, CCDOC) and Rick Richardson (#44, Wheeling PD), with Atkinson recording 11 tackles and a sack, and Richardson tallying 9 tackles, 2 of which were for a loss.
ON THE AIR
The game will be streaming live via Sports Town Chicago, with voice of the Enforcers Brian SloppyMeatSauce handling play-by-play duties and former Enforcer quarterback Tom Baker providing color commentary. Leading up to the game, you can hear Enforcers Weekly every Thursday night from 7-8 pm.
The game will be streaming live via Sports Town Chicago, with voice of the Enforcers Brian SloppyMeatSauce handling play-by-play duties and former Enforcer quarterback Tom Baker providing color commentary. Leading up to the game, you can hear Enforcers Weekly every Thursday night from 7-8 pm.
THE VENUE
The Blue Flame will be playing host to the Enforcers at the recently renovated Abraham Lincoln High School. The game was initially set to take place at Philadelphia's Northeast High School with a 1 pm kickoff, but the time and venue had changed as of last week.
The Blue Flame will be playing host to the Enforcers at the recently renovated Abraham Lincoln High School. The game was initially set to take place at Philadelphia's Northeast High School with a 1 pm kickoff, but the time and venue had changed as of last week.
THE COACH
Greg Zaragoza is in the midst of his 5th season as the Enforcers head coach (9th season on the staff overall), carrying a 14-8 career record. The 19 year CPD veteran also serves as the team's primary offensive play caller.
Greg Zaragoza is in the midst of his 5th season as the Enforcers head coach (9th season on the staff overall), carrying a 14-8 career record. The 19 year CPD veteran also serves as the team's primary offensive play caller.
THE CAPTAINS
The Enforcers are led this season by captains Mike Belmontez (Offensive Line, 008th District), Aaron Chappell (Defensive Line, Unit 213), Will Murphy (Defensive Back, Unit 393), Jason Slater (Linebacker, 014th District), and Bob Slechter (Wide Receiver, 011th District).
The Enforcers are led this season by captains Mike Belmontez (Offensive Line, 008th District), Aaron Chappell (Defensive Line, Unit 213), Will Murphy (Defensive Back, Unit 393), Jason Slater (Linebacker, 014th District), and Bob Slechter (Wide Receiver, 011th District).
DB Will Murphy, QB Vince Macias, and DB Mike Gaines following the 2011 NPSFL Championship victory
THE REMATCH
When the Enforcers and Blue Flame take the field on Saturday, it will be the 3rd overall meeting between the two teams, and the first since 2011. The Enforcers met Philadelphia in the NPSFL postseason that year, defeating the Blue Flame in the NPSFL Division II National Championship game. A historic season for the organization, the Enforcers bounced back from a season-opening loss to the Central Texas Wolfpack in Austin to win 5 straight en route to the championship victory. Many of the same faces will be on the field for Saturday's contest, giving this game some added meaning. Following the victory over NYCD, the Enforcers are still in the postseason hunt in the NPSFL's Division I.
When the Enforcers and Blue Flame take the field on Saturday, it will be the 3rd overall meeting between the two teams, and the first since 2011. The Enforcers met Philadelphia in the NPSFL postseason that year, defeating the Blue Flame in the NPSFL Division II National Championship game. A historic season for the organization, the Enforcers bounced back from a season-opening loss to the Central Texas Wolfpack in Austin to win 5 straight en route to the championship victory. Many of the same faces will be on the field for Saturday's contest, giving this game some added meaning. Following the victory over NYCD, the Enforcers are still in the postseason hunt in the NPSFL's Division I.
THE PREVIOUS SEASON
The Enforcers are in the process of rebounding from disappointing 2013 season, which saw the team go 2-3 overall with a 2-2 record within the NPSFL. The season was highlighted with a 26-7 victory over the Cleveland Warriors and a 25-6 triumph over the Washington DC Generals in the Gold Star Memorial Bowl.
The Enforcers are in the process of rebounding from disappointing 2013 season, which saw the team go 2-3 overall with a 2-2 record within the NPSFL. The season was highlighted with a 26-7 victory over the Cleveland Warriors and a 25-6 triumph over the Washington DC Generals in the Gold Star Memorial Bowl.
THE OPPONENT
Heading into Saturday, the Blue Flame are 4-1 overall, with a 3-0 record within the NPSFL. Adding extra interest to the game, the Blue Flame are tied with the Dallas Defenders for first place in Division I, while the Enforcers are in a 4 way tie for 3rd place with Roanoke, LAPD, and FDNY. This game will wrap up the NPSFL regular season for both the Blue Flame and the Enforcers.
The Blue Flame has recorded NPSFL wins over Bakersfield (28-0), NYCD (9-8), and DSNY (54-0), as well as a non-league victory over the Baltimore Warbirds (28-6), an NPSFL probationary team in their first season of play. The lone loss for the Blue Flame was a non-league matchup against the Washington DC Generals, where they fell 24-12 on April 12th. The only common opponent between Philly and the Enforcers is the NYCD Boldest, who both teams earned a low-scoring, one point victory over. The Blue Flame, coached by Charlie Szydlik, operate out of a spread offense that is led by quarterback Walt Bartle.
Heading into Saturday, the Blue Flame are 4-1 overall, with a 3-0 record within the NPSFL. Adding extra interest to the game, the Blue Flame are tied with the Dallas Defenders for first place in Division I, while the Enforcers are in a 4 way tie for 3rd place with Roanoke, LAPD, and FDNY. This game will wrap up the NPSFL regular season for both the Blue Flame and the Enforcers.
The Blue Flame has recorded NPSFL wins over Bakersfield (28-0), NYCD (9-8), and DSNY (54-0), as well as a non-league victory over the Baltimore Warbirds (28-6), an NPSFL probationary team in their first season of play. The lone loss for the Blue Flame was a non-league matchup against the Washington DC Generals, where they fell 24-12 on April 12th. The only common opponent between Philly and the Enforcers is the NYCD Boldest, who both teams earned a low-scoring, one point victory over. The Blue Flame, coached by Charlie Szydlik, operate out of a spread offense that is led by quarterback Walt Bartle.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The following are other NPSFL games taking place this weekend:
Orlando Guardians @ Atlanta Defenders
NYPD Finest @ Charlotte Cobras
Washington DC Generals @ Orange County Lawmen
DSNY Strongest @ San Diego Enforcers
Orlando Guardians @ Atlanta Defenders
NYPD Finest @ Charlotte Cobras
Washington DC Generals @ Orange County Lawmen
DSNY Strongest @ San Diego Enforcers
NPSFL Standings
Division I teamDallas Defenders
Philadelphia Blue Flame NYPD Finest Roanoke Rampage CPD Enforcers LAPD Centurions FDNY Bravest San Diego Enforcers Charlotte Cobras Atlanta Defenders NYCD Boldest |
record3-0
3-0 2-0 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 1-0 1-1 0-3 0-3 |
division ii teamDC Generals
Orlando Guardians Cleveland Warriors Orange County Lawmen Columbus Marauders DSNY Strongest Central Texas Wolfpack Bakersfield Falcons |
RECORD2-1
2-1 2-1 1-2 1-1 0-2 0-3 0-4 |
NPSFL Scores For previous scores, visit the NPSFL website.
Date5/3/14
5/3/14 5/3/14 5/3/14 5/3/14 5/10/14 5/10/14 5/10/14 |
teamsAtlanta Defenders @ Charlotte Cobras
NYCD Boldest @ CPD Enforcers Roanoke Rampage @ Cleveland Warriors DSNY Strongest @ Philadelphia Blue Flame FDNY Bravest @ Orange County Lawmen Bakersfield Falcons @ Orlando Guardians Dallas Defenders @ Central Texas Wolfpack LAPD Centurions @ NYPD Finest |
scoreCharlotte 40, Atlanta 7
CPD Enforcers 7, NYCD 6 Cleveland 10, Roanoke 7 Philadelphia 50, DSNY 6 FDNY 33, Orange County 7 Orlando 6, Bakersfield 0 Dallas 9, Central Texas 7 NYPD 23, LAPD 9 |
ONTO THE NEXT ONE
Following the trip to Philly, the Enforcers will wrap up their regular season against the Chicago Blaze in the 5th Annual First Responder Bowl. The all-time series between the Enforcers and Blaze is tied at two wins a piece, with the Blaze winning the previous two meetings. The game will take place on Saturday, June 7th at Brother Rice High School, with kickoff set for 3 pm. This is the first meeting between the two teams since the Blaze's departure from the NPSFL.
Following the trip to Philly, the Enforcers will wrap up their regular season against the Chicago Blaze in the 5th Annual First Responder Bowl. The all-time series between the Enforcers and Blaze is tied at two wins a piece, with the Blaze winning the previous two meetings. The game will take place on Saturday, June 7th at Brother Rice High School, with kickoff set for 3 pm. This is the first meeting between the two teams since the Blaze's departure from the NPSFL.
