With our regular now concluded and our last tournament just ahead of us i thought it would be fun to write up a little something about each boy.  As i told the boys beings they are all now big 10 year olds it is probably the last time i can get away with describing them with nicknames.

In no particular order here we go:

Devon Colman - THE EQUALIZER:   No matter what position Devon played for us this season he played it well and helped to balance out or equalize the line he was on.  Most recently he helped to keep the front line with mates, speed racer and racer x, under control and more productive.  Devon was our equalizer this season.

Sam Cornelious and Zach Helowicz - THE SILENT ASSISINS:     Zach and Sam are fairly quiet off the field and in practice, but on the field they proved to be a fearsome twosome.  It took a while for me to figure out how to get them on the same line together, but once i did the results were great.  Zach likes to strike from in close with great finishing skills and Sam likes to shoot from a distance with deadly accuracy.

Chris Franco - KUNG FU PANDA:   When i first met Chris at tryouts this spring all i saw was his great foot work and ball skills.  So when he told me that he also played goalie i just brushed it off thinking he wasn't the tallest kid out there and i was thinking center forward.  But then on that faithful day in August i needed another goalie in a pinch and he amazed with his lateral quickness and hands.  The rest is history.

Stephen Goedeke adn Chad Rogers - THE STEEL CURTAIN:   Chad and Stephen don't have much to say most of the time and are good listeners in practice.  At first glance they don't seem imposing in the least but then chad tackles you so hard you end up on your butt and stephen covers you like a blanket leaving you trapped in the corner with no way out.  Just try to get the ball through them.....good luck!

Jacob Zdon - THE ENFORCER:    Whether Jacob is on defense(his best position, just don't tell him that), in the middle of the field, or on offense he always plays stronger than his opponents.  He has strong legs, a good foot, and can throw the ball a mile.  Jacob plays the game fearlessly and never saw a tackle he didn't like.

Jacob Pezzella - STEADY EDDIE:    Jacob plays soccer very mcuh like his personality, very even keil.  No matter where i put him on the field or how much he is getting hacked he maintains his cool and doesn't get out of character.  He is a very level headed young man who always gives me his best.  Everytime Jacob goes onto the field i know exactly what i will get, a great effort with a good result.

Kyle Mansberger - THE SUNSHINE KID;    Kyle seems to beam when he is on the field.  Whether he is on defense or offense (especially on offense) he always seems to brighten things up.  As with any sunny day you sometimes have an occasional cloud, but then you wait a second and you see Kyle's bright face and newly enhanced smile tearing down the field after the ball.

Michael Weininger - THE JACK IN THE BOX:   I know Michael thought this name wasn't the coolest, but the jack in a box was one of my favorite toys as a kid and i think appropriatley describes him.  No matter how things are going on the field in always no that when i crank the handle on this jack in the box i am going to be happy when it opens.  Michael is always smiling and the center of attention while controlling the midfield for our team all season.  Michael's play on the field served as a building block for both our offense and defense.  And as with any jack in the box most times he would jump right out, but every once in a while you would have to really crank that handle only to find out that when he jumped out of the box he gave you a game winning goal.

Griffin Pearce and Justin Hood - SPEED RACER AND RACER X:  Justin (racer x) and Griffin (speed racer) are always moving at 100 miles per hour and on the edge of being out of control.  This speedy twosome was by far the fastest set of wings in our league and by putting them on the ouside all game it really wore down the opposing teams defense.  There speed allowed us to play a lot of lead passes down the field and created many one on one match-ups.  Racer X did a lot of the dirty work creating space and setting up the plays for Speed Racer on the other side of the field.  As in the movies, in the end they are both winners on and off the field.

Jim Brooks - LEFTY LUCIA:  For this one i dug into my Sicilian roots a bit, but i couldn't help myself.  Jim took contol of the west side of the field all season.  Nobody came through the docks to unload their cargo without first paying there dues to Lefty.  Jim was a great contributor to the family all seaason and keeps a tommy gun in his left shoe.

Zach Miller - SUGAR RAY - Zach exemplifies being a winner in several weight classes.  When we started the season we asked him to play one weight class (goalie) and he put in his time in the gym to do so.  Then we asked him to bulk up a little play in another weight class (outside defender) and so he went back to the gym and worked on his ballskills and earned another title.  Then we asked him to add a few more pounds and to play in yet another weight class (center defender) and he did that as well.  Now Zach plays in all three weight classes and does a good job on all three. 

Gary Weininger and Walt Zdon - BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID:  Not sure who is who but i do know this movie wouldn't have happended without the work and support these guys gave to our team.  Whether it was running practices for me or going to meetings, throwing pool parties or pizza parties, teaching the boys or keeping order on the sidelines Gary and Walt were and are an integral part of the Rampage team.  Thanks you gents for all of your hard work this season!!!

The Parents - THE BEACH GOERS FROM THE MOVIE JAWS:     i want to thank all of the parents for coming out each day to enjoy the sunshine at practice and work on your tans while enjoying the games.  Our parents emobied everything you would expect from that fatefull day on the beach when the shark came to attack.  Starting off just out enjoying a good family day at the field and then sometimes frantically shouting words of encouragement to our boys all the while knowing that they can't swim out to help them.  And then offering there support and affections when the game is over and everyone is home safe.  Thanks again parents for a great season.

Great Season to all and to all a Good Day at the Pitch.

Coach Mike