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Post by dogsoldier on Aug 9, 2009 8:18:07 GMT -5
I love reading on here about younger players being in shock when the guy that just beat their tails takes off his helmet and they see all that grey hair. I'm James Caldwell of the Greenville Seminoles,Grenville South Carolina. and I enjoy this "compliment" all the time. I've been playing semi-pro ball for 8 years now and was a rookie at 40 years old. I play guard on the O-line, I'm 6'2" 270 and almost made the arena team in Greenville this year, got cut on the last cut. I think it was age discrimination! Mr. Bill Hoffman if you are the second oldest guy to score a rushing TD who is first? I would like to throw my name in the record books, I scored on a three yard run in last nights victory over the Charlotte Gators.I just turned 48 on July 13th. I had no idea that I was going to get to run it until our coach sent in another O-lineman and told me to move to fullback.I was so scared I would fumble that I squeezed the ball almost flat. It is funny but I scored a TD in high school on the same field,same endzone, same spot almost 30 years ago.My dad was at last nights game and that made it more special . You greyheads keep it up. You never lose your talent,spirit or heart,it's still there,it's your body that betrays you.
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Post by costampede45 on Aug 10, 2009 23:16:19 GMT -5
Hi James Caldwell: First off, my huge congratulations on your TD at 48 years young! That is so great! The guy in our league, Wayne Palmer, is also, like yourself, an offensive guard. He is 52 years old, and his team, the Portland Monarchs, gave him a opportunity from the one yard line. Wayne, made the most out of it and his chance. I agree with what you say... our heart and spirit never dies, we just have a harder time walking to the bathroom the day following games and practices. Both Wayne and my TD have gone down officially on the Greater Northwest Football Association's record books, I have made my case to Steve Brainerd as to a National Record, but he is not interested in making such a category. He is the guy who supposedly runs the Semi Pro Football record book so I don't get his reasoning. If he was, you would be #2 and I would drop to #3 and Mr. Palmer should go to #1. Don't know if he will consider it, but I would bug him nonetheless... who knows, maybe you also saying something will change his mind. In either event, know in your heart, that it beats strongly, and that your courage to go for broke in the face of adversity and criticism will prevail. Good for you and you are so lucky to have your dad there watching this historic event. Wish mine could have seen my moment, it is certainly one I will cherish the rest of my life. Hey, I scored from the five yard line, so I still have the "the oldest player who scored the longest rushing TD" in history... ha ha ha.... Come on Steve Brainerd, post us old men up, we deserve it, we bleed like the young guys, and we love and appreciate it more at our age too! Keep up the great work James Caldwell, if you have any photos of your TD, please post it up. Would love to see it. Keep the fire burning, the game only gets better and better as we age like fine wine. Best to you "old man", Bill Hoffman #45
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Post by costampede45 on Aug 10, 2009 23:26:06 GMT -5
Hey Football Players and Fans:
If you think that Wayne Palmer, James Caldwell, and Bill Hoffman deserve to be in the National Record Book for scoring TD's at ages 45 to 52, please email, call, or write the man in charge of the Semi Pro National Record Book at:
Steve M. Brainerd PO Box 77923 Tucson, Arizona 85703 stevenmbrainerd03@prodigy.net
Thanks all, maybe, a little support here will make it happen!!!
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Post by costampede45 on Aug 25, 2009 18:50:16 GMT -5
See folks, there is a Country for Us Old Men To Play Football In:
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Brett Favre is coming back for more.
The 39-year-old quarterback turned his back on retirement for the second time in as many years, agreeing Tuesday to play for the Minnesota Vikings.
"I felt I did everything I possibly could do to get where I need to be," Favre said at his introductory news conference Tuesday. "You're 39, your arm may not feel like it did at 21. But the pieces are in place that you don't have to do that much and I agree with that.
"If they were willing to take that chance, I was, too."
Lackluster Finishes The memory of the Jets' 1-4 finish with Brett Favre at the helm is fresh, but the truth is, Favre has experienced late-season fades in each of the past four seasons. The numbers below, from ESPN Stats and Information, are for 2005 through 2008.
Category First 11 games Last 5 games Comp pct 64.8 56.1 Pass yards PG 253.8 211.4 TD-Int 75-50 13-34 Passer rating 88.2 59.9
Favre finally decided that he didn't want to live with regrets.
"I don't know how I'll feel a year from now, five years from now, but I didn't want to say what if," he said.
The Vikings will pay Favre $12 million this year and $13 million next season, sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen and ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The contract does not contain performance bonuses.
Because Favre is a vested veteran, the $12 million is guaranteed for this season if he is on the opening day roster. This also applies to the $13 million 2010 deal. This year, $6 million is guaranteed for skill and injury, meaning that if he is bad during the next few weeks, the Vikings can't get out for less than $6 million.
The 2009 salary payments are deferred: $4 million over the season, $4 million in March and $4 million in 2011.
The first inkling that something was afoot came early Tuesday, when two television stations in Hattiesburg, Miss., and Minneapolis reported that the Vikings had sent a private plane to Hattiesburg to pick up Favre.
Sources told Hattiesburg television station WDAM, which initially broke the story, that Favre had said: "We may know something by dinner."
A high-level source first told Minneapolis TV station WCCO that Favre was expected to sign a deal with the Vikings on Tuesday.
Favre and his wife, Deanna, arrived to cheering fans outside the team's practice facility and the quarterback was in a helmet and pads less than 90 minutes later. His red practice jersey was the familiar No. 4, the same number he wore for years with his now-rival Green Bay Packers.
Coach Brad Childress, who greeted the Favres at the airport, had confirmed the planned meeting in an early Tuesday e-mail to The Associated Press. Asked if the plan was to sign Favre, Childress replied: "In a perfect world."
Childress' wish came true shortly afterward, when the Vikings announced the signing.
"This is the weekend Brett decided he wanted to come back. And I'm not sure either side ever closed the door," Favre's agent, Bus Cook, told ESPN's Mortensen.
ESPN analyst Cris Carter reported that Childress already has told the Vikings that Favre would be starting in Friday night's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
"I have mixed emotions, but I have always loved to watch him play," Favre's mother, Bonita, told the Sun Herald of Biloxi. "This time, however, I thought he would stay retired and stay home. I guess he could not do it.
"They [Minnesota] seem to have a good team in place, and he liked that. I guess I need to get a Vikings jersey now."
Favre's arrival translated into instant action in the Vikings' ticket office. During a five-hour stretch Tuesday afternoon, the team sold 2,000 season-ticket packages and 6,000 single-game tickets, according to vice president of sales and marketing Steve LaCroix.
Favre, a longtime star in Green Bay, came out of retirement last season to play for the New York Jets. He retired again, only to then entertain the idea of joining the Vikings. Three weeks ago, Childress said the quarterback would stay retired.
The pronouncement turned out to be prematurFavre said that the injury that required surgery on his biceps tendon and then finding out that he had a tear in his rotator cuff led him to think he shouldn't play anymore.
"I just kept thinking I didn't want to go through what I did last year," he said.
"Between three weeks ago and the phone conversation yesterday [with Childress], I talked to Dr. [James] Andrews and he assured me it wouldn't be an issue. I felt if everyone was going to take that chance, I was to."
Dr. Andrews detected a slight tear in his right rotator cuff in May while performing arthroscopic surgery on the quarterback's passing shoulder.
During practice sessions in Mississippi, Favre said that "the arm has felt, not 100 percent, but pretty good, good enough to make the throws I need to make."
That led him to decide to go for it.
"As friends and family has told me, you never know until you take the chance," he said.
Favre, who holds almost all of the NFL's career passing records, has never been much of a fan of offseason practices, though. Last summer, he ended his retirement with the Packers and forced a trade to the Jets, where he faded down the stretch amid problems with his throwing arm.
But Favre remained in regular communication with the Vikings' coaching staff the past three weeks, and a source told ESPN's Ed Werder that owner Zygi Wilf had to do very little convincing when the two met this week near Favre's home in Hattiesburg.
"He had a lot of aches and pains and they basically needed a commitment from him before he felt he was ready to play,'' a source told Werder. "He wants to be able to do the best he can do and doesn't want to disappoint them.''
Favre has been working out regularly with Oak Grove High School players in Hattiesburg, according to WDAM-TV, and has not missed a practice even after telling the Vikings he would remain retired.
The fact that the Vikings have a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs factored heavily in Favre's decision.
"I felt from my standpoint that I could offer some experience and leadership, and I have to admit through this whole process after I said no three weeks ago, sometimes I was OK with it, and other times I said. I can really help this team."
The Vikings finished training camp last week and beat Indianapolis 13-3 in their preseason opener Friday. They got a strong performance from quarterback Sage Rosenfels, who has been competing with Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job since Favre jilted the team July 28.
When Favre arrived at training camp, third-string quarterback John David Booty graciously gave him his jersey number. Booty, who had been wearing No. 4, was assigned No. 9.
“ I think he's a great quarterback, a great guy, a great leader. Would I like to hit him? Hell, yeah, I'd like to hit him. All these damn practices out here and they didn't let us hit him.
” -- Packers linebacker Nick Barnett Jackson and Rosenfels were a little more begrudging in handing over the starting job.
"It's not a good feeling, but you have to take it for what it's worth and try and get better from it," said Jackson, who was hoping to assert himself and live up to the label of quarterback of the future he received when coach Brad Childress drafted him in 2006.
It may be even more difficult for Rosenfels, who spent the first eight seasons of his career as a backup in Washington, Miami and Houston. When the Texans traded him to the Vikings this offseason, the 31-year-old thought he was finally getting a chance to be the man.
Now he'll have to take a seat on the bench, again.
"It's something that wasn't a total shock," said Rosenfels, who had a strong preseason debut when he completed 10 of 13 passes and led two scoring drives against the Colts on Friday. "Obviously this has been three months in the ongoing sort of thing. So for me personally, this wasn't what I was hoping for. I tried to get traded here and got traded here.
"But in my nine years this is the best football team I've ever been on. We have so much talent. If the team needs me this year, when the team needs me this year, I'm going to be ready."
The Vikings are expected to challenge for the NFC North title this season, with whoever is behind center.
Rosenfels and Jackson have had some rough moments during practice. Jackson hurt his knee, missed a few workouts and then returned, but he was out of sync last week against the Colts.
Rosenfels did well, but preseason games are tough to evaluate and Indianapolis held out all four starting defensive backs.
Linebacker Ben Leber had nothing but sympathy for two veterans he watched work so hard during the most grueling part of training camp as they tried to assume control of the team. He wasn't sure if either player could be consoled at this point.
"I don't know what you say to them," Leber said. "It's hard to sit there and say, 'Hey, keep competing.' I think it's pretty clear who is going to be the No. 1 guy. I guess you have to compete for No. 2 and it will figure itself out."
Childress sat down with all three incumbent quarterbacks on Tuesday morning before going to the airport to personally pick up Favre. He said it was "a hard conversation to have" with them all after only three weeks ago telling them they were moving on without Favre.
"But our game is about competing," Childress said. "Just like I told our team today again, whatever position you're at, you're fighting for the 53 spots on this football team. You make a huge mistake to count the number in lines or how many are we going to keep.
"The fact is we've used a couple of quarterbacks every year I've been here from an injury standpoint. I think those guys will keep their eye on what they need to do."
When the possibility of Favre joining the Vikings first arose earlier this offseason, there were reports that Jackson would request a trade.
"I never said that," Jackson said Tuesday. "I never said anything like that at all."
Rosenfels, who has missed two straight practices with a sprained right ankle, was a little more coy when asked if he would seek a trade.
"I don't know. I haven't really thought about that," Rosenfels said. "I'm just trying to get my ankle fixed right now. It's feeling pretty good for the most part but just trying to get that right. I haven't even really thought about that stuff."
Favre also could have to smooth things over with some of the veterans who reported to camp on time, were spurned by him initially, then spent the next two weeks sleeping in those uncomfortable dorm beds at Minnesota State University, Mankato and enduring two-a-day practices.
"Brett Favre is a different player. He's a Hall of Fame player," tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. "He can kind of stretch the limits a little bit. No hard feelings. He's here. It is what it is."
For his part, Favre said he's ready to start getting to know his teammates and will ease into a leadership role when the time is right.
"Even though I've played a long time and been around and played against a lot of guys and played under a lot of coaches and against a lot of coaches, you still have to earn the respect of this team," Favre said. "What you've done in the past is great, but it means nothing here. ... You earn the respect of these guys and that's what I intend to do."
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said after practice Tuesday he was not surprised by Favre's return.
"I don't think anybody should be surprised by it," McCarthy said.
Green Bay visits Minnesota on Oct. 5, and the Packers host the Vikings on Nov. 1.
"The bottom line is it's football," Favre said. "Once you step into the huddle, I don't look at the helmets. I look at the faces and the guys will know I'm in it for the right reasons because I still love to play."
Aaron Rodgers, who inherited the starting quarterback position after Favre retired -- then unretired -- said, "I don't have a reaction. It doesn't pertain to me. It has absolutely nothing to do with me. It doesn't change anything. It has nothing to do with the Green Bay Packers."
Packers general manager Ted Thompson also didn't want any part of the Favre situation, which caused a major distraction during the Packers' training camp a year ago and lingered on well after Favre was traded to the Jets.
After dodging a few questions about Favre on Tuesday, Thompson refused to bite on a question about whether it's wise for a team to tie its fortunes to a player with commitment issues so late in training camp.
"You guys just try to get me in trouble," Thompson said, smiling.
Packers linebacker Nick Barnett told the newspaper: "After all those years of not being able to hit him, do I want to hit him? Of course I want to hit him. He's an awesome guy. I wish him the best."
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Post by costampede45 on Oct 6, 2009 18:58:22 GMT -5
Nice to see an almost 40 year old man play quarterback and dissect a team like an excited 22 year old rookie last night.
Go # 4 !
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Post by costampede45 on Jan 28, 2010 21:13:37 GMT -5
ONE PASS COMPLETION away from a Super Bowl bid!
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Post by eman87 on Apr 20, 2010 13:52:21 GMT -5
Well, I finally made it into the endzone last season on a 2 point conversion! I told myself that if it happened I would act as if was business as usual, but I jumped up and down like a kid. Everyone on my team came over and congratulated me. It was an arrow route. This year I am playing for the Northeastern Bulldogs in the A division of the NEFL. I turned 50 last november.
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Post by costampede45 on May 17, 2010 10:35:20 GMT -5
Hey Eman87:
Big congratulations on your two point conversion. Sorry I haven't checked this site until today, but I was delighted to hear of your score. What was it, a run or pass? Details, old man, we need details. I got to suit up this past Saturday for the final Oregon Football League game with the High Desert Lightning. Just to be out on that grass, be with my boys, shout at our opponents with respect and some banter, was good for my almost 51 year old soul. I must admit, that after only five plays on defense, I am still sore today (Monday)...
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Post by costampede45 on May 17, 2010 10:38:34 GMT -5
“How can I not be involved in football? Why wouldn’t I be involved with football? And so it’s a little bit violent, is that bad? Certainly it’s legal.
I’d like to think of myself as a gentle warrior who can still go out to battle. No, I would think most people would be just totally shocked to say, “this guy goes out every year and has to fight and win his starting position?” And he does that?
But yeah, if someone were to say, “gosh, you could go out there at age 60 and compete with these young guys couldn’t be done”. And it probably can’t be done. And you probably cannot play contact football at my age. So, now given you can’t do it at my age, then people ask, “well, do you think you can do it for another five years?” I’m not sure how it’s happening now.
Miracles do happen. My God has blessed me so that I could play football at my age. I certainly don’t know, he just must love me very much”.
Bob Blechin Starting Offensive Tackle Ventura Cardinals Pacific Football League Age: 60
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Post by costampede45 on May 23, 2010 10:57:40 GMT -5
May 22, 2010 - 12:15 PM ET
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune agrees that Brett Favre's actions since the end of last season, "have made it clear he has every intention of playing a 20th NFL season."
Favre's Friday morning surgery was designed to create a better range of motion in his ankle. He'll soon begin a running program with a goal of being ready "either at the beginning of camp or shortly thereafter." The next step is to see how Favre's rehabilitation goes. He's had surgery on the same ankle three times now, and is no sure bet to heal quickly going on age 41. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
MORALE OF THE STORY: NEVER SAY DIE!
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Post by silverhawks on Jun 1, 2010 6:42:09 GMT -5
Good stories gentlemen, i like it, im 35 almost 36 and playing my first season, yes i had the nerve, the guts, and the energy to come back as a Quarterback for a team based in Canton, Ohio. So far im loving it though more playing time would be nice, but when I am in the game i love to feel of being out there about to make a play happen, so far in preseason i'm 1-0 as a starter, once coach decides to put in the knowledge and experienced QB (me) i think we will win more games. I think i will be in this game much longer than i was thinking of 1 year, bring it, and the best part is im still hanging with these young guys, it cracks me up after playing college ball for a young 20 yr old or 23 to say aw man its hot, lol the hotter the better i tell them they think i am nuts well maybe i am but nothing better than the sweat dripping down in your face and all your friends saying "your playing ball again, your crazy" thats right not crazy just got the balls to do it unlike you...ha ha. keep it up men we can play as long as you got the heart, the soul, the drive, and keep in shape...long live the game of football. Ryan Blagg QB- semi pro ball.
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Post by costampede45 on Jun 1, 2010 11:44:18 GMT -5
Hey Ryan Blagg,
Thank you for adding your story, I found myself wearing a large smile in reading it. You are to be commended for the courage to go back out and play a game you love at the most respected position in football. I agree with you 100%, the experience and leadership you bring to this game, to the huddle and locker room will soon earn you a starting position.
We had guys on our team who, due to injuries and other semi-pro things (i.e. work, plans with kids and wives), were starting in our FIRST REGULAR SEASON GAME!
As you know, a good QB always is prepared to play, get yourself into that physical and even more importantly, THAT MENTAL ASPECT, as you are only a heart-beat away from living the dream again!
Please keep us posted as to how your season transforms, would love to hear how your story unfolds.
Warm regards, Bill Hoffman
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Post by eman87 on Jun 3, 2010 11:57:47 GMT -5
hey bill,
The two point conversion was a pass (an arrow route).
what is the record for oldest TD by pass catch? I want to break it this year.
I noticed the former by your title. have you actually retired or are you in for one more season?
We have another old guy on our team who turned 43 last week and plays center. We also have a 38 year old guy but he has an injury to his calf muscle so he is out for an indefinite period.
thanks, Eric
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Post by costampede45 on Jun 3, 2010 18:27:28 GMT -5
Hey Eric,
Good to hear from you again.
I think you would be the oldest guy to snag a TD catch for sure!
I am still trying, every so often to get the Semi Pro Records Keeper, Steven Brainerd, to submit our age as a category by Scored TD's but he is insistent NOT to submit them. Don't know why, it is only a typed written line he has to do... oh well... maybe someday, huh?
I hope other of us, "golden oldies" will email him and give him some their minds too... just in case... his email address is: stevenmbrainerd03@prodigy.net
In terms of the word, "former", bullshit to that moniker. I'm done with that word. I always hated it, and still do.
I got to play in the High Desert Lightning's final regular season game last month. Five plays as Free Safety. And since we were getting hammered, I just took off on the first snap and leaped my 5'5 body over the center toward the QB.
When I got off the ground, I suddenly realized, that damned off side guard is trying to 'cut block' me, and I heard my knee say, "oh shit"... Sure was fun though...
I can't stop NOT wanting back into this great game, Eric, and I don't think I ever will!
Great job on catching that arrow route. What thoughts and feelings went through you as the play developed and the catch was made? (Bet you had to feel like Dwight Clark...)
Best to you Eric, stay in touch,
Bill
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Post by costampede45 on Jun 17, 2010 19:47:44 GMT -5
Hey,
Here is "another" great story to represent us oldies.
There is no limit when it comes to heart and desire. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the rookies invited to this weekend's New York Giants minicamp will be older than every player on the team's regular-season roster.
Brandon Crawford, 33, will get a tryout with the team beginning Friday. If the former Ball State defensive end were to eventually make the team's roster -- a longshot -- he'd be the oldest NFL rookie since 1946 and likely become the most senior player on the Giants roster. Not bad for a guy who took a decade off from the sport.
After getting arrested and watching his college football hopes vanish in the 1990s, Crawford worked a few jobs and eventually enlisted in the Marines. He was discharged after four years and used the money he earned from his service to enroll at Ball State at 29. Despite the long layoff from football, he made the team, helped them to two bowl games, was named to an all-conference team and graduated with a degree in criminal justice. And he did this all while being older than a handful of the team's coaching staff.
Of his age, Crawford told the Kansas City Star:
"[It] has nothing to do with it if you take care of your body. My body doesn't have the wear and tear of guys who have been the league for 10, 11 years. My body hasn't taken a beating. I've only been playing college football for four years and am in good shape. I still can play.
"I can contribute leadership, character, maturity. A lot of those guys they bring in are younger guys, they've never been in this position before. I've spent four years in the Marine Corps. I know what it takes to be accountable."
Crawford said Monday that all he wanted was an opportunity to show one team what he could do on the field. It's unlikely he'll make the final roster. But, then again, it was unlikely he'd contribute to a bowl team after turning 30 and not playing for 10 years. Plus, compared to basic training, minicamp should be a breeze.
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Post by costampede45 on Aug 25, 2010 23:46:06 GMT -5
Here is to a great future Hall of Fame warrior of our time. He is a 20 year career NFL Quarterback.... any questions? ;D
Brett Favre | #4 | QB
Minnesota Vikings | Official Team Site
Height: 6-2 Weight: 222 Age: 40
Born: 10/10/1969 Gulfport , MS
College: Southern Mississippi
Experience: 20th season
High School: Hancock Central HS [Pass Christian, MS]
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Post by eman87 on Jul 8, 2011 15:39:49 GMT -5
Hey Bill, I have not checked in with this post in a while, but here is my update. I am playing for the Woburn (Mass) Warlords in the NEFL as a TE/slot receiver this year. Our first game is next week, July 16th. This was supposed to be the year for my son to join me, but he has a chance to play hockey in the minors, so he is chasing that dream.
Will try to keep you posted. thanks, Eric Rosengren, Jr.
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Post by costampede45 on Jul 31, 2011 0:34:05 GMT -5
Hey Eric, Sorry I haven't been on here either for some time. Congratulations on playing once again in the semi-pro's and good for you. Sorry to hear that your boy won't be joining you on the Warlords this year, maybe next season? You are an inspiration to him and to football. I am playing August 12th in an Alumni football game here in Prineville, Oregon. Full contact, full gear, fulfillment at 52 to be back in pads again.
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Post by eman87 on Nov 21, 2011 12:38:17 GMT -5
hey bill, i was honored to picked as an alternate for the all star game in Lawrence mass for the single A south squad of the NEFL. We (the south) won 28-0 and I had the chance to play DE. I had a couple of tackles and a sack. Stay in touch!
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