Gridiron Elite Stadium Action Packed This Past Weekend!!!

Last Saturday, if you wanted to take your family to a great event, you would have to look no further than the friendly confines of Gridiron Elite Stadium. There were three games, and from the sounds of the crowds, there was great on the field action.

The Bronx Rebels Youth Football Program finally took the field for the 2008 season. The return of our Pee Wee program was very anticipated by all, and it was a great way to inaugurate the new league, The Gridiron Elite Youth Football League. Parents and friends cheering and screaming for their kids, whether they were Rebels or Wolfpack supporters. A good time was had by all. The New York Spartans hosted the nitecap versus the New Jersey Longhorns.

Now, there is just one more team to take the field for the Elite this season. ECFL play opens at Gridiron Elite Stadium this coming weekend, as the new upstart Jr. Pro Brooklyn Wolverines come to the House of Pain to face the vaunted Jr. Pro Rebel Wing T, and the two best defensive ends in the ECFL, Jordan McPherson and Dexter Bello. At press time, the game is set for an 8pm kickoff.

This game marks the return of Jason Reyes at Quarterback, the young upstart QB who nearly took the Rebels to two Championship games in 2006. With Reyes, a new cast on the Offensive Line and in the Backfield, a Running Game has two of the most speedy and athletic running backs the Rebels have ever had, Marcus Seigniuos from Mt. Vernon High School and George Dudley from John F Kennedy High School.

Defensively, the Rebels will be led by Cardinal Spellman standout Sean Kern, and Power Linebacker Evander Childs Standout Towan Stewart. Coach Kevin Pryor’s Defense has been tested during off season scrimmages, but never has had the full starting unit together until gametime, due to injuries or academic issues.

Though the Rebels have never faced the Wolverines, they did get to see a bit of action in the last scrimmage at Evander when the NYC Gators faced the Wolverines for the first time. The Wolverines scored two touchdowns on the Gators, and ran for about 40 yards in less than 10 plays. “These guys will come to play” says HC Baxter. “This will not be a cakewalk by any means. One mistake and we could be down early. They are big, fast, and hungry to prove themselves against one of the ECFL’s best.” This should be a great game. At press time, this game is scheduled for 8pm.           

        

Pee Wee Rebels take the field!!!

After a long hiatus – the Pee Wee Rebels finally took the field last Saturday, dressed in their Maroon, White and Gold, and took it to the brash Brooklyn Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack came into Gridiron Elite Stadium all dressed in their distinctive Orange and Blue, and looked quite intimidating. But not to our Rebels, who played with heart and passion all game. The Rebels were led by Shawn Tafe at Quarterback and Brandon Allende at Running Back, two players who were disappointed in not being able to play last season. Both kids believe in the Maroon and White, and when they had the chance to go elsewhere and play, they wanted to remain Rebels to the end. Their sacrifice paid off, and the Pee Wees played to their heart’s content.    

Head Coach Mike Blake, who led the team last season, returned to lead the Rebel charge once again. “I had tears in my eyes, in finally making this day come true for these young men. They have worked hard, and it will all pay big dividends as the season moves forward.”

Other coaches that helped in this effort should be mentioned as well – Frank Rue, Sr. , Louis Roman, Dennis O’Neal, and Kevin Pryor.

The Rebels have a Bye this weekend in Gridiron Elite play, and will take take the field once again in two weeks versus the Brooklyn Chiefs at Thomas Jefferson High School. At press time, the game time had not been announced.  

Rebels Cage Wolfpack in opening game victory!

With much anticipation, the Rebels Intermediate team, led by Head Coach JT Tisdale, Offensive Coordinator Dennis O’Neal and Defensive Coordinator Mike Davis, took the field in fine fashion. “We may not have had our jerseys, but we got the kids focused and played a great game” said Coach JT. At press time, Executive Director Ray Baxter stated ”the jerseys were not ready to our standard, and so the kids played in their practice whites. The jerseys will be ready for their next game. I didn’t get to see it, but they played a great game”

The Rebels – Wolfpack rivalry stems back two years, where the two programs faced one another in the Big Apple Football League Pee Wee Division Championship game, won by the Wolfpack. Last season, the two teams faced one another again in the East Coast Football League Junior Pro Division, when the Rebels gained a bit of revenge with a decisive victory at Gridiron Elite Stadium.   

Last Saturday, the Rebels once again became victorious with a fine performance on both sides of the ball. The Rebs were led at Quarterback by Elias Encarnacion, a three year Rebel veteran on this level. “Red has been with us through the pain and the promise, it was nice to see him take control and succeed” said Coach Mike Davis. The Rebels were also charged by the running of Quavon Gonzalez who took some wicked shots early in the game, but scored the Rebels only touchdown of the day.

Defensively, Big Rob Mervin came through at defensive end and was harrassing the Wolfpack Quarterback all game with at least two sacks. And let’s not leave out the interception that sealed the game by Charles Edmin.   

There were many standout performances, too many to name here. “I think overall, we did what we were suppose to do, but i’m still not happy, we should have scored more on the offensive side of the ball.” said Coach O’Neal

The Rebels next opponent will be the Brooklyn Wolverines, a new and explosive program. The Wolverines played the Co-Op City Rough Riders last weekend. The game ended in a 3 overtime tie. The game was scheduled for Brooklyn, but will be played in the confines of Gridiron Elite Stadium.  At press time, the game is scheduled for 6pm.