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Fall 2007 Match Reports

11/17/07: Young Boys 4 vs. Old Boys 2

And now bear witness, constant reader
To the courage a team employs
Should without their fearless leader
They still decimate the Old Boys

Or something like that. Okay, here is my best shot at piecing together what happened. I have had to put together the events based on rumor, speculation, and secondhand accounts and -- in the tradition of storytelling --have more than likely colored, exaggerated, or understated facts in the interest of narrative.

Starting early last week, the Old Boy propaganda machine kicked into full gear, fueled by hubris and the assumption that the Young Boys would not be able to field a side with several key players out of town or requisitioned due to advanced age (somewhat true). This was capped off at a drink up on Thursday where the trash talk reached a fever pitch, lead by Marvin who all but guaranteed that he would lead his side to victory (completely false, as Marvin was a no show).

Here is where I have had to rely on the accounts of others for the story to continue. Once of my primary sources, while a present and active participate, was a little too overexcited at beating Murray, Dixon, Lance & Co. to make much sense or be considered unbiased. I was able to confirm the following:

• Chuck Creedon and (possibly) Stephan scored for the Old Boys
• Lance missed a PK from 10 meters, center (this was repeated several times during my investigations)
• Koz has been promoted to the front row, YB’s started a ringer at flanker (who scored), and the oldest college football player in five states helped fill out the back line (who also scored).
• Someone taught Josh to use the boot and his brilliant cross kick was downed by our ringer for a try. It was apparently “sick.”
• MJ vaulted over 12 OB’s and three spectators for his try, only to have it attributed to LJ during a preliminary interview (remember, my source was a little excited)
• The ultimate key to the success of the YB’s was poaching a svelte gentlemen from the OB ranks to play second row. When will people learn to stop picking Gessner last? Seriously, I cannot imagine the shear tonnage of BS that he was talking after the match, but I would have to imagine that he got down like the last time he was legitimately a Young Boy (which is somewhere in the early 80’s)

So, YB 4, OB 2. Lemme know if I missed anything or if you feel that there are inaccuracies that need to be rectified. Just remember, history is written by the winners (seriously, I can’t get enough of that) or at least people with access to update the website.

- fin -

11/10/07: West Potomac 26 vs. Western Suburbs 12

In a rematch of the 2006 PRU Championships, West Pot once again squared off against the only team to have beaten them in matrix play over the last two season, Western Suburbs. This time West Pot had the homefield advantage and the sidelines were packed with fans supporting both clubs. 'Burbs got on the board first with a quick try, but West Pot bounced right back with trys from Ben and "Alabama" Sam. Thanks to a pair of fine conversions (kicking is a tender art) by Bible, the men in red found themselves on top 14-5 at the half.

The two teams traded trys early in the second half, with MJ capping a great kick counter by scoring through three defenders (video) and Bible slotting his third conversion. Suburbs pressed hard and would have scored their third try had the ball not been knocked on during the placement. West Pot used that stroke of luck as momentum for the rest of the match and Sam went over for an insurance try for the good guys.

'Bama was awarded Man of the Match honors for his exceptional play on both sides of the ball; but, in a show of respect for his Captain and team President, Bama handed the jacket over to The Skip (who quite honestly did need an excuse to drink more beer).

Rarely does a team get the opportunity to avenge their losses from the previous year and the gentlemen of West Pot made the most of it, capping a perfect season and exorcising some of the demons from 2006. Congratulations to everyone who played, practiced, or cheered for West Potomac this season!!!

11/03/07: West Potomac 36 vs. Rappahannock 27

The two highest scoring teams in the PRU squared off in round one of the playoffs. Unfortunately, the gentlemen of West Potomac managed to forget that they also let up the fewest points in the union, but when the dust settled, they found themselves on top of a 36-27 decision. The good guys went up early but lost some momentum after getting burned by a very dangerous winger on a couple occasions. The second half was a struggle with Rappahannock chipping away at the lead, but in the end, West Pot managed to keep a two-score cushion, first on an easy penalty kick and then on a timely try in the corner followed by a much more difficult conversion that iced the nine point victory.

Trys were scored by Josh, Andy, LJ and Harsh but the Red Jacket went to Bible who added a try of his own and hit all of his kicks (even though one was ultimately disallowed due to touch judge laziness).

10/20/07: West Potomac 21 @ North Bay 0

West Pot finished the regular season undefeated after a 21-0 win over our good pals at North Bay. After going through a drought and getting used to playing on rock hard fields, four days of rain left the pitch nice and muddy. Sloppy conditions aside, West Pot was able to get its offense going early with a try from LJ and Miguel managed to turn the corner later in the half to go up 14-0. Some strong defense through the match and a great personal effort on a second half try by Bible found the guys in red the number one seed going into the PRU playoffs.

Brian "Sunshine" Lapato earned the Red Jacket and a swell pair of matching pants for his strong play at fullback -- cleaning up some tough kicks and using the boot to keep North Bay out of the attacking end.

10/20/07: West Potomac 29 @ Happy Valley 12

West Pot traveled up to Penn State and secured a spot in the PRU playoffs with a 29-12 win over Happy Valley. The final score does not reflect how close most of the match was. West Pot got out to a 12-0 lead but HV battled back and on the final play of the first half ties the match at 12 all. At the beginning of the second half, the home team stayed on the attack, testing a West Pot defense that spent entirely too much time inside their own 22 for comfort.

Timely tackles and fresh legs off the bench kept it at 12-12 until West Pot got the opportunity to counter-attack and break the deadlock until they finally put the game out of reach in the last five minutes with their fourth try. Some hustle from the backs turned a last second kick that failed to find touch into a scoring opportunity and West Pot got a converted try at the closing whistle.

Trys were scored by LJ, MJ, Josh, 'Bama, and Ben with Bible going 2 from 5 on conversions. Jesse Davis once again came up big on defense and created several scoring opportunities which earned him the newly modified Red Jacket for his tenacious play at scrum half.

10/06/07: West Potomac 29 vs. Warrenton 19

West Pot welcomed PRU newcomers Warrenton who brought some of the strongest opposition the good guys have faced this season. Andy ran down an early kick and was given a gift when the opposing wing failed to down the ball in the try zone getting West Pot out to an quick lead. Warrenton roared back and quickly scored two trys of their own. After regrouping and making a couple defensive adjustments, West Pot was able to get more turn over ball and play the game in their half. Clean ball and good field position lead to trys by PTR, Ben, and Casey.

By the second half, the heat was getting to both teams and play became sloppy. There were some highlights, including a strong run by Casper on the wing that lead to a try as well as some miscues which allowed a last minute try to slip in for Warrenton. When all was said and done West Pot had five trys by five different players and went two from five on kicks.

The Red Jacket went to Matt "Dick Sprint" Cochran, who came off the bench in his first match with West Pot and made huge contributions on several defensive stands and sparked the rest of the team to pick it up in open play.

09/29/07: West Potomac 24 vs. Pax River 0

Despite a lackluster first half that yielded only an unconverted try, West Potomac put things together in the second 40 minutes to top Pax River 24-0. The good guys looked flat as they controlled posession but could not take advantage of opportunities due to penalties or handling miscues. After a lively halftime huddle, everyone pulled their heads out of their asses and played like a 15 man squad, dominating nearly every phase of play.

"Alabama" Sam received Man of the Match honors in his first match at #8. In addition to scoring two trys, Sam provided a spark that carried the team through the first half and eventually got everyone going in the second frame. Trys were also added by KJ and (finally) Andy Churchill, with Bible going 2/4 on conversions.

09/22/07: West Potomac 85 vs. Chambersburg 5

Well, all streaks must come to an end and West Potomac finally gave up a try after keeping their opponents scoreless since the last match of the spring season. A picked off pass in the last 15 minutes was the lone blemish in an 85-5 offensive explosion. Unlike last weekend with scoring being divided between the backs and forwards, this was a big day for the guys with double digits on their jerseys as they took advantage of a wide field to find space. I mean, even LJ was lined up at out center when he scored.

Josh got things started with a great run on the wing and Hotdog came off the bench to run in three (after running a half marathon that morning) while Ron had a couple playing out of position at 13/wing. But at the end of the day, the Red Jacket went to Dave "The Good Book" Gedeon for marshalling the back line while personally scoring 30 points on a pair of trys and 10 conversions. He also set up several trys, including the nice pop pass to a Chambersburg center that set up their score.

Update: Miguel politely reminded me that he did score while Andy, once again, definitely did not.

09/15/07: West Potomac 72 @ USUHS 0

West Pot once again kept the bad guys off the board while racking up 12 trys and picking up a bonus point against USUHS. Bible went 6/12 on coversions, although we are not really sure if the lack of uprights helped or hurt that stat. Without a show of hands, I am not sure who all scored, but I think it was split evenly between the backs and forwards and Andy Churchill definitely did NOT score. Some of the new(er) guys got in on the act with Chris Catalano putting one down in his first start at flanker and Brandon coming off the bench at wing and adding two trys on nice runs.

"Sexual" Pete Banks got man of the honors and wore the Red Jacket, fresh back from the cleaners. Pete was all over the field in good offensive and defense support and was 1 for 2 in try opportunities, with one stolen out from under him by a sneaky, good for nothing (West Pot) winger. Backs cannot be trusted.

(Have pictures of this match? Let us know!)

09/08/07: West Potomac 24 @ Renegades 0

Despite some unfocused play in the first half, West Potomac was able to shake off the off-season rust and shut out the Washington Renegades in the opening match of their Fall 2007 campaign. Trys were notched by Miguel Diaz and Andy Churchill in the back line while flanker "Alabama" Sam Cain punched through and went over from an impressive penalty set. Dave "The Good Book" Gedeon added nine points by converting all three trys as well as a penalty kick.

There was notable play across the starting fifteen as well as impactful play from off the bench, but at the end of it all fullback Brian "Sunshine" Lapato's play stood out and earned him man of the match honors.

The B-Side match was a spirited affair and featured an impressive backline attack that resulted in two show stopping trys by Stefan and Josh.  KJ and Marvin eshewed style and just crushed people while Grant scored by seducing the other team into not chasing him. Bible went 4/5 with conversion and the good guys won 33-5.

(Have pictures of this match? Let us know!)