SKIDMARKS STREAK TO TITLE
By BOF BROCCOLIMACCFL Press
Kalamazoo, Michigan (AP) - Once the lovable losers,
in the tradition of Hollywood teams, like Minnesota State of 'Coach' fame
or 'The Mud-Dogs' of Waterboy fame, the Skidmarks can add a championship
banner to the legend.
The Skidmarks, Owned by MultiDollaranaire Scott Hazen, streaked off to a hot start, went through a few mid-season bumps, then streaked down the stretch to complete a remarkable comeback, culminating in a clinching win over the Quarterback heavy Rebels.
The Skidmarks started celebrating early, shortly
after a Shaun King interception was returned for a Pittsburgh touchdown.
It signaled a virtual impossibility for a recovery by the Tampa Defense,
and clinched the first MACCFFL Title for a team that once held the distinction
of being the losingest team in MACCFFL history.
“I guess the five year plan worked,” crowed Team
Owner Scott Hazen. “We were the joke of the league, making horrible
trades, like giving up on Marvin Harrison and trading Terrell Owens for Jermaine
Fazande. Those trades were hard to live down, but now, it’s all worth
it. WE'VE GOT THE BOZ!!!”
The sentiment was echoed by on again, off again coach/GM Norm Van Brocklin, who is simultaneously announcing his retirement.
“Best to go out on top.” Said Van Brocklin. “I’m handing the reigns over to my Assistant GM, who has been instrumental in drafting all our talent, former Packer great, Jerry Kramer.”
Kramer’s track record has been astounding. For a brief period of time he was the player personnel scout for the Bootleggers. Kramer’s pick of Duece McAlister drew puzzled looks, laughs, and heckles from the Bootlegger faithful. Yet this year Duece almost single-handedly carried the Bootleggers to contention. But Kramer’s track record doesn’t stop there.
“We drafted Ahman Green when he was a Seattle backup, Priest Holmes when he was the number two man in Baltimore, and Travis Henry when he was walking into a running back shuffle in Buffalo. All three panned out.” Boasted Kramer, now the proud owner of his first MACCFFL ring.
Team Owner Scott Hazen also notes the key roles the players had during this season. “There’s no doubt our team and probably league MVP will be Priest Holmes. He certainly carried this team through several tough weeks. But there were players that simply took over games for us. Several weeks Priest or Vick or Ahman came up short, and Travis Henry carried this team. And several weeks Michael Vick simply took over not only the game for us, but the fascination of the whole league.”
Hazen also noted the other role players on the team. “We got solid play out of Don Driver, Marty Booker (especially early in the season), and after Derrick Mason came back from injury, he played a role.”
Yet it was amazing play by three defenses that ended up being the difference maker. Notes Hazen, “We played that incredible Philly Defense most of the year, and how impressive were they in the clinching victory! But we also had two great weeks out of our other defenses. The Cleveland Defense during the Philly bye week, and one phenomenal game from Atlanta, when they shutout their opponent.”
Former Packer great Jerry Kramer added to that, “we picked up Atlanta because they were in the middle of this really great winning streak. They went into Carolina and pitched a shutout. You can’t beat that.”
Even kicker Sebastian Janikowski got his ‘props’ for his excellent foot. “Talk about consistency,” Said Hazen, “week in, week out, we counted on Sebass to score us critical points. Some weeks he was our key, some weeks he was the difference maker.”
Notes Kramer, “we got strange looks when we took him in the second round. In fact, our draft strategy has been bizarre, but it has worked amazingly well. About 4 years ago we committed ourselves to move from a run and shoot to a fullhouse backfield. We consistently got points out of the running backs, and placed two WR’s in the mix who were likely to get touches.”
Kramer also noted shrewd draft day dealings by owner Scott Hazen. “He wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger and let Rickey Williams go. He wasn’t afraid to move up, or trade players for picks. We were able to stockpile over the last three drafts, and it payed off.”
The champaign flowed late into the Kalamazoo night as the final score landed at Skidmarks 71, Rebels 40. The championship hats were passed out, and the banner was raised sky high over the Skidmarks home field, Fruit of the Loom Stadium.
“We’re springing for some serious toys for the team, trust me.” Hollered Owner Hazen as the team and management cheered in the locker room. It became clear after the time was ticking off in the second quarter, that there was no way the Rebels could come back.
Hazen also noted the great bench strength of his team. “When you’ve got Michael Bennett and Trent Green, not to mention a #2 pick in Peter Warrick on the bench, you’ve got some real strength when players go down. We even played Corey Bradford and Jonathen Wells during the year.”
Asked for the turning point in the season, Hazen said without hesitation, "Two points really, first the tie with the Dunces. It was a come from behind tie, and I thought for sure we'd lost the week. As it was, I was inconsolable. I thought the tie would cost me my shot at the title. Second was the blasting of the Israelites. They came in with a lot of momentum, and I really thought our team had a shot to show our stuff, but we showed we could not only beat a hot team, but do it in a commanding fashion. It was a tremendous win, considering the Israelites and Dunces both have historically had the Skidmarks number. Heck, up until a few seasons ago, just about everyone had our number."
Elation was everywhere, as Hazen paid a particularly special tribute to his Wife, Cheryl. “When she entered the picture, my perspective changed. I started building for the future instead of simply looking for the quick fix. She really has given me perspective.”
“I’m real happy for him.” Added wife Cheryl Hazen. “Now, I wonder if he’ll relax a little and enjoy it.”
There’s little chance of that, notes new GM Jerry Kramer, “We’re not five minutes into the victory celebration and he’s already asking if we should work a deal with one of the other owners. Amazing.”
It’s the same old story at the Hazen household and Home of the 2002 MACCFFL champions, The Skidmarks.
The sentiment was echoed by on again, off again coach/GM Norm Van Brocklin, who is simultaneously announcing his retirement.
“Best to go out on top.” Said Van Brocklin. “I’m handing the reigns over to my Assistant GM, who has been instrumental in drafting all our talent, former Packer great, Jerry Kramer.”
Kramer’s track record has been astounding. For a brief period of time he was the player personnel scout for the Bootleggers. Kramer’s pick of Duece McAlister drew puzzled looks, laughs, and heckles from the Bootlegger faithful. Yet this year Duece almost single-handedly carried the Bootleggers to contention. But Kramer’s track record doesn’t stop there.
“We drafted Ahman Green when he was a Seattle backup, Priest Holmes when he was the number two man in Baltimore, and Travis Henry when he was walking into a running back shuffle in Buffalo. All three panned out.” Boasted Kramer, now the proud owner of his first MACCFFL ring.
Team Owner Scott Hazen also notes the key roles the players had during this season. “There’s no doubt our team and probably league MVP will be Priest Holmes. He certainly carried this team through several tough weeks. But there were players that simply took over games for us. Several weeks Priest or Vick or Ahman came up short, and Travis Henry carried this team. And several weeks Michael Vick simply took over not only the game for us, but the fascination of the whole league.”
Hazen also noted the other role players on the team. “We got solid play out of Don Driver, Marty Booker (especially early in the season), and after Derrick Mason came back from injury, he played a role.”
Yet it was amazing play by three defenses that ended up being the difference maker. Notes Hazen, “We played that incredible Philly Defense most of the year, and how impressive were they in the clinching victory! But we also had two great weeks out of our other defenses. The Cleveland Defense during the Philly bye week, and one phenomenal game from Atlanta, when they shutout their opponent.”
Former Packer great Jerry Kramer added to that, “we picked up Atlanta because they were in the middle of this really great winning streak. They went into Carolina and pitched a shutout. You can’t beat that.”
Even kicker Sebastian Janikowski got his ‘props’ for his excellent foot. “Talk about consistency,” Said Hazen, “week in, week out, we counted on Sebass to score us critical points. Some weeks he was our key, some weeks he was the difference maker.”
Notes Kramer, “we got strange looks when we took him in the second round. In fact, our draft strategy has been bizarre, but it has worked amazingly well. About 4 years ago we committed ourselves to move from a run and shoot to a fullhouse backfield. We consistently got points out of the running backs, and placed two WR’s in the mix who were likely to get touches.”
Kramer also noted shrewd draft day dealings by owner Scott Hazen. “He wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger and let Rickey Williams go. He wasn’t afraid to move up, or trade players for picks. We were able to stockpile over the last three drafts, and it payed off.”
The champaign flowed late into the Kalamazoo night as the final score landed at Skidmarks 71, Rebels 40. The championship hats were passed out, and the banner was raised sky high over the Skidmarks home field, Fruit of the Loom Stadium.
“We’re springing for some serious toys for the team, trust me.” Hollered Owner Hazen as the team and management cheered in the locker room. It became clear after the time was ticking off in the second quarter, that there was no way the Rebels could come back.
Hazen also noted the great bench strength of his team. “When you’ve got Michael Bennett and Trent Green, not to mention a #2 pick in Peter Warrick on the bench, you’ve got some real strength when players go down. We even played Corey Bradford and Jonathen Wells during the year.”
Asked for the turning point in the season, Hazen said without hesitation, "Two points really, first the tie with the Dunces. It was a come from behind tie, and I thought for sure we'd lost the week. As it was, I was inconsolable. I thought the tie would cost me my shot at the title. Second was the blasting of the Israelites. They came in with a lot of momentum, and I really thought our team had a shot to show our stuff, but we showed we could not only beat a hot team, but do it in a commanding fashion. It was a tremendous win, considering the Israelites and Dunces both have historically had the Skidmarks number. Heck, up until a few seasons ago, just about everyone had our number."
Elation was everywhere, as Hazen paid a particularly special tribute to his Wife, Cheryl. “When she entered the picture, my perspective changed. I started building for the future instead of simply looking for the quick fix. She really has given me perspective.”
“I’m real happy for him.” Added wife Cheryl Hazen. “Now, I wonder if he’ll relax a little and enjoy it.”
There’s little chance of that, notes new GM Jerry Kramer, “We’re not five minutes into the victory celebration and he’s already asking if we should work a deal with one of the other owners. Amazing.”
It’s the same old story at the Hazen household and Home of the 2002 MACCFFL champions, The Skidmarks.
QB Michael Vick
RB Priest Holmes
RB Travis Henry