You can view final stats from the 2018 season here:
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The final look at the 2018 season comes in the announcement of the Pigskin Hooligan Awards. Congratulations to the winners: Kit Martin receives MVP honors after his performance in the 2018 season. He played in all of the team’s games during the season and led the team in touchdowns (11) and PATs (7). Kit set a new franchise record with 5 touchdowns in the team’s 84-64 regular-season victory over the Wamp Rats. He also added an interception on the defensive side of the ball. Kit also receives the Breakout Player of the Year Award, given to the team’s most outstanding newcomer. Kordell McNeal receives the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2018. His skills as a defensive back on the CUAA football team translated well to the flag football field. Kordell forced several fumbles throughout the year, causing critical turnovers which gave the Hooligans a defensive stop. He also pulled many flags and played solid pass coverage during the year. Mikayla Hilton wins the Brittany Davis Memorial Award in 2018, given to the team’s most outstanding female player. She played in the team’s season opener against the White Choppas, making an impact on both sides of the ball. Mikayla scored 3 TDs and a PAT in the game, including a touchdown which gave the Hooligans a 51-50 lead late in the match. On defense she played solid pass coverage as well. Luke Diekevers receives the Individual Performance of the Year award, given out for the best single-game effort. In the team’s 84-64 victory over the Wamp Rats, he passed for 9 touchdowns which tied the franchise record for most pass TDs in a single game. Luke also added a “pick 6” on defense, accounting for 10 total TDs in the win. Hunter Lastacy receives the Sub of the Year Award in 2018, given to the most outstanding addition to the roster during the year. He played in the team’s last 2 games of the season, first signing in the Hooligans’ regular-season finale against the Charlestown Chiefs. Hunter showed good hands and a solid vertical leap, hauling in 2 TDs and 3 PATs while also passing for 2 TDs. Blake Dean receives this year’s Heart of the Hooligans Award, given to the player that best exemplifies the spirit of the franchise. Special consideration is often given to a player that sustains an injury. An offseason injury kept Blake off the field this year, but he was present at games and helped with officiating. He is expected to make a big return next season. Finally, here are the top 3 individual plays of the year: Gold Play - Cassie Allard’s game-winning touchdown, 53-42 win over Charlestown Chiefs - The Hooligans held a 44-42 lead late in the team’s final regular season game against the Charlestown Chiefs. The team looked to secure the game on their final drive and Cassie delivered, taking a short pass for a big gain all the way to the endzone. The win helped the team lock up the #2 seed in the playoffs. Silver Play - Gabe Farr scores his 5th TD of the game, 70-64 loss against #1 White Choppas - The Hooligans found themselves in a tough battle against the #1 seed White Choppas in the championship game. Gabe Farr added to an outstanding offensive total by scoring his 5th TD on a crossing route late in the contest. The touchdown tied Kit Martin’s franchise single-game record set earlier in the year. Bronze Play - Mikayla Hilton’s go-ahead TD late in the game, 58-51 loss against White Choppas - The Hooligans traded leads several times against the White Choppas in an exciting season opener. Late in the game, Mikayla took a handoff and made a power run down the left side. The touchdown pulled the team ahead 51-50 with 15 seconds remaining. Congratulations to all of the award winners! This concludes coverage of the 2018 Pigskin Hooligans season. Check back in the fall of 2019 as the team prepares to make another run at a championship. Until then...ROLL HOOLIGANS! The Pigskin Hooligans bounced back in 2018, returning to the championship game. The team finished with a 4-2 overall record on the year, falling in an exciting title game to the White Choppas. A total of 15 players competed for the team this season. The league technically featured 5 teams this year, but since one team dropped out due to schedule conflicts only 4 teams actually competed in games. The smaller league size allowed for a single round robin schedule for the regular season. All 4 teams qualified for the playoffs, with the Hooligans claiming the #2 seed after compiling a 3-1 regular season record. Let’s take a game-by-game look at the team’s results this year: The Hooligans received word on October 11 that Wakanda would have to drop out of the league. All teams were officially credited with a forfeit win on that day, giving the Hooligans a 1-0 start. The Hooligans played their first true games with a doubleheader on Sunday, November 4. In the first game, the team faced off against the White Choppas in a marquee matchup. The team trailed 16-0 early in the game, but 3 straight touchdowns paced the team to a 23-22 lead at halftime. The Choppas responded with 20 unanswered points in the second half to reclaim the lead. While a touchdown from Mikayla Hilton gave the Hooligans a 51-50 lead with 15 seconds left, the White Choppas countered with a deep pass for a quick game-winning touchdown. The Hooligans had to bounce back quickly for the second game of their doubleheader. The team got off to a sluggish start, trailing 28-8 early in the first half. Despite a rally late in the half, the Wamp Rats still held a 44-38 halftime lead. The Hooligans began to mount a comeback in the second half, scoring three straight touchdowns to take the lead. Kit Martin broke the franchise single-game touchdown record, scoring 5 in the game, and the Hooligans claimed an 84-64 win to move to 2-1. The Hooligans played their final regular season game on a chilly Sunday afternoon against the Charlestown Chiefs. The Chiefs jumped out to a 14-0 lead, once again causing the Hooligans to mount a comeback effort. The teams played to a 22-22 tie at halftime, and both teams traded touchdowns in the second half. The defining moment in the game came when Cassie Allard turned a short pass into a long gain, running for the game-winning touchdown. The victory gave the Hooligans a 3-1 overall record and the #2 seed heading into the playoffs. The Hooligans were set to face off against the #3 seed Wamp Rats in the playoffs for yet another “rivalry match”. However, the Wamp Rats were forced to forfeit due to their players either facing illnesses or a heavy homework load. The Hooligans claimed the automatic forfeit win, moving to 4-1 on the year and securing a spot in the championship game. In the championship game, the Hooligans faced off against undefeated #1 seed White Choppas in a rematch of both teams’ season opener. The Choppas jumped out to an early 12-0 lead, placing the Hooligans in a familiar position of attempting to come from behind. The team continued to convert every other time they had the ball, but the White Choppas held a 42-26 lead at halftime. After stopping several PATs and scoring a pair of their own, the Hooligans got as close as 4 points when they trailed 54-50 in the 2nd half. However, the White Choppas continued to respond with a touchdown on every possession. Despite Gabe Farr tying the franchise single-game touchdown record with 5 in the game, the Hooligans fell in a close championship game. Now that we’ve relived every individual game, let’s take a closer look at the stats and accomplishments of every player to appear in at least one game this year (stats are only counted here if earned in a Hooligans game): Gabe Farr (co-captain) - Gabe turned in a solid season in his first year with the Hooligans franchise. He assisted with team recruitment as a co-captain, bringing in several key subs for the playoffs. On the field, Gabe used his speed and great hands to record 8 total TDs on the year. He tied the franchise record for single-game touchdowns with 5 TDs in the championship game. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 1 pass TD, 8 TDs, 1 INT Mike Russell (co-captain) - Captain Russell continued to lead the Hooligans franchise in the 2018 season. He assembled a roster which led the team to a 4-2 record and another championship game appearance. On the field, Russell hauled in several receptions while seeing playing time on both sides of the ball. 2018 stats: 4 GP Amber Streeter - Amber made an impact in her first playing time with the Hooligans. She played in the second game of the team’s season-opening doubleheader, appearing in the 84-64 victory over the Wamp Rats. Amber showed ability on both sides of the ball, making a pass reception and pulling a flag on defense. 2018 stats: 1 GP Blake Dean - Blake spent the 2018 campaign on the Hooligans’ injured reserve due to an offseason injury. He was present for several of the team’s games and assisted as a referee with his keen knowledge of the game. Blake is expected to make a big return next season. 2018 stats: N/A Cassie Allard - Cassie was a solid signing for the Hooligans in 2018. She played in the final game of the team’s regular season against the Charlestown Chiefs. With the team ahead 44-42, Cassie took a short pass and ran nearly the length of the field for the game-winning touchdown. She also caught a PAT as well. 2018 stats: 1 GP, 1 TD, 1 PAT Darricle Jones - Darricle subbed in for the Hooligans in the championship game against the White Choppas. On offense he ran solid routes and caught a 2-pt conversion on the team’s last offensive series. Defensively, Darricle played solid pass coverage in the game as well. 2018 stats: 1 GP, 1 PAT Derek Nelson - Derek returned to the Hooligans to conclude his intramural career in 2018. He played in all of the team’s games throughout the year, making key contributions on both sides of the football. Derek registered one touchdown and 2 PATs during the year. 2018 stats: 4 GP, 1 TD, 2 PATs Henry Capers - Henry competed as a sub for the Hooligans in the 2018 playoffs. He appeared in the team’s championship game matchup against the White Choppas. Henry played quarterback in the first half of the match, throwing for 3 touchdowns in the contest. 2018 stats: 1 GP, 3 pass TDs Hunter Lastacy - Hunter signed with the Hooligans towards the end of the 2018 season. He provided a tall receiving target for the team, using his vertical leap to catch 2 TDs and 3 PATs on the year. Hunter also saw time at quarterback, passing for 2 touchdowns in 2 games of action. 2018 stats: 2 GP, 2 pass TDs, 2 TDs, 3 PATs Kit Martin - Kit had a standout rookie year with the franchise in 2018. He used his quickness and agility to make big gains, scoring a team-leading 11 touchdowns and 7 PATs as a Hooligan. Kit scored 5 touchdowns in the team’s 84-64 win over the Wamp Rats, setting a new franchise single-game record. 2018 stats: 4 GP, 11 TDs, 7 PATs, 1 INT Kordell McNeal - Kordell was a key addition to the Hooligans in the 2018 season. He used his speed to move the ball downfield, scoring 3 TDs and 6 PATs on the year. Defensively, Kordell made a strong impact with multiple forced fumbles, many flag grabs, and solid pass coverage. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 3 TDs, 6 PATs Luke Diekevers - Luke turned in a great year in his first season with the Hooligans in 2018. He received the nod as the starting quarterback, passing for 19 TDs and tying the Hooligan single-game record with 9 in a contest against the Wamp Rats. Luke also recorded two defensive interception returns for TDs. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 19 pass TDs, 2 TDs, 2 INTs Mikayla Hilton - Mikayla had a sensational debut with the Hooligans in 2018. She played in the team’s season opener against the White Choppas, scoring 3 touchdowns and a PAT on offense. Mikayla also played sound defense in the game, making several pass breakups. 2018 stats: 1 GP, 3 TDs, 1 PAT RJ Bortle - RJ joined the Hooligans for his first season in 2018. He began the year as a receiver, showing the ability to make catches on deep routes and snagging 2 touchdowns. RJ also saw time at quarterback in the championship game, passing for 5 TDs in the second half. 2018 stats: 2 GP, 5 pass TDs, 2 TDs Taylor Nesbitt - Taylor was a solid signing for the Hooligans in the 2018 season. She played in the team’s final regular season game against the Charlestown Chiefs. Taylor ran solid routes as a receiver and made an impact on defense with several flag grabs in the game. 2018 stats: 1 GP The Pigskin Hooligans organization would like to thank all of these players for their contributions to the team this year. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2018 Hooligan Team Awards! The Pigskin Hooligans organization has the privilege to announce the flag football All-Star rosters for the 2018 season! As co-commissioners of the league, Pigskin Hooligans captains Mike Russell and Gabe Farr were named as the captains of the All-Star teams. Russell and Farr held a draft this past Saturday afternoon, selecting two teams of 9 players each. Let’s take a look at the players that were drafted (all interceptions listed are on defense): Mike Russell (Pigskin Hooligans) - Pigskin Hooligans captain Mike Russell makes his 8th career All-Star appearance after receiving the “commissioner bid”. He coordinated the league this year while also leading the Hooligans back to the championship game. On the field, Russell made several receptions. 2018 stats: 4 GP Elijah Abenth (White Choppas) - Elijah makes his first All-Star appearence in 2018. He finished 3rd in the league and #1 on the White Choppas with 10 TDs while also amassing 6 PATs and 2 INTs. Elijah provided a dependable receiving target, pacing the Choppas to a 6-0 season. 2018 stats: 5 GP, 1 pass TD, 10 TDs, 6 PATs, 2 INTs Hunter Kepple (Charlestown Chiefs) - Hunter makes it to the All-Star selections in his first year in the league. He split time at quarterback for the Charlestown Chiefs, passing for 10 TDs on the year. Hunter also saw time at receiver, snagging 6 TDs and 4 PATs during the season. 2018 stats: 4 GP, 10 pass TDs, 6 TDs, 4 PATs Jake Culp (Wamp Rats/Charlestown Chiefs) - Jake earns a selection to an All-Star roster in his first season in 2018. He mainly competed for the Charlestown Chiefs, recording 7 TDs and 4 PATs on the year. Jake also came up with an interception on the defensive side of the ball. 2018 stats: 5 GP, 7 TDs, 4 PATs, 1 INT Justin Dugan (Wamp Rats) - Justin receives a place as an All-Star in his first season in the league. He finished second in the league with 25 passing TDs overall, recording a pair of games with 9 pass TDs. Justin also showed the ability to run from the QB position, picking up 2 rush TDs. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 25 pass TDs, 2 TDs Luke Diekevers (Pigskin Hooligans) - Luke earns a spot as an All-Star in his rookie year in 2018. He received the starting nod as the QB for the Pigskin Hooligans, passing for 19 TDs on the year. Luke also showed solid defensive play, making two INTs which went for a “pick 6”. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 19 pass TDs, 2 TDs, 2 INTs Mikayla Hilton (Pigskin Hooligans) - Mikayla receives a selection as an All-Star in her first season. She turned in a stellar game in her one contest with the Hooligans, scoring 3 touchdowns and a PAT in the match. Mikayla also played solid defensive pass coverage. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 3 TDs, 1 PAT Ryan Abenth (White Choppas) - Ryan earns his first career spot as an All-Star after the 2018 season. The White Choppas captain assembled a championship roster while recording 4 TDs and 3 PATs during the year. Defensively, Ryan came up with an interception as well. 2018 stats: 5 GP, 4 TDs, 3 PATs, 1 INT Tristan Waechter (Wamp Rats) - Tristan receives a place as an All-Star after a standout rookie season. The Wamp Rats receiver tied for #1 in the league with 12 total touchdowns on the year, including a 5-TD performance against the White Choppas. Tristan also added 2 PATs. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 12 TDs, 2 PATs Gabe Farr (captain)(Pigskin Hooligans) - Gabe captains the second All-Star team, receiving the 4th straight All-Star selection of his career. He showed great speed and leadership on the Pigskin Hooligans in 2018, recording a pass TD along with 8 TDs and an interception. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 1 pass TD, 8 TDs, 1 INT Abel Christians (Wamp Rats/Charlestown Chiefs) - Abel earns a spot as an All-Star after his efforts in 2018. He split time between the Wamp Rats and the Charlestown Chiefs throughout the year, collecting 5 total touchdowns. Abel also made an interception on defense. 2018 stats: 3 GP 5 TDs, 1 INT Chris Lowe (White Choppas) - Chris earns a spot in the All-Stars after his first year in the league in 2018. He finished tied for 4th in the league and 2nd on the White Choppas with a total of 9 TDs on the year. Chris added 5 PATs and a defensive interception to his stats as well. 2018 stats: 5 GP, 9 TDs, 5 PATs, 1 INT Ethan Vosburg (White Choppas) - Ethan receives a place on an All-Star roster after his rookie year in the league. He led all quarterbacks in the league with a total of 29 pass TDs on the year. Ethan also notched 3 TDs and 3 PATs while leading the league with 3 defensive interceptions. 2018 stats: 5 GP, 29 pass TDs, 3 TDs, 3 PATs, 3 INTs Grant Steinborn (White Choppas) - Grant receives his first career All-Star selection in 2018. His total of 9 TDs places him tied for 4th in the league and 2nd on the White Choppas. Grant also passed for 2 TDs on the year while adding 4 PATs and a defensive interception. 2018 stats: 5 GP, 2 pass TDs, 9 TDs, 4 PATs, 1 INT Hannah Sickmiller (Wamp Rats) - Hannah earns an All-Star bid after a solid rookie season in 2018. She led all female players with 4 TDs and 6 PATs, also finishing second among all league members in PATs. Hannah’s shifty moves and speed allowed her to make big gains down the field. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 4 TDs, 6 PATs Henry Capers (Pigskin Hooligans) - Henry received an All-Star selection after appearing as a sub in the championship game. He played quarterback for the Hooligans in the first half of the team’s matchup against the White Choppas, passing for 3 TDs in the game. 2018 stats: 1 GP, 3 pass TDs Kit Martin (Pigskin Hooligans/Wamp Rats) - Kit earned a spot on an All-Star roster after an outstanding 2018 season. His blazing speed and shifty juke moves helped him to record 12 total touchdowns, tying for the league lead. Kit also led the league with 9 PATs while adding an interception. 2018 stats: 5 GP, 12 TDs, 9 PATs, 1 INT Kordell McNeal (Pigskin Hooligans) - Kordell scored a place as an All-Star in his first year in the league. He consistently used his speed to make gains downfield, notching 3 TDs and 6 PATs on the year. Kordell also played solid defense, making flag grabs and forcing several fumbles. 2018 stats: 3 GP, 3 TDs, 6 PATs Congratulations to all of the 2018 All-Stars! Each of these players made great contributions to their team throughout the year. Hooligans fans - stay tuned for a season overview in the coming week along with the announcement of the Pigskin Hooligan team awards! Sun, Nov 18 - The #2 Pigskin Hooligans received word prior to their semifinal match that the #3 Wamp Rats would have to forfeit due to a lack of players. That gave the Hooligans a berth in the championship game for the 8th time in the last 10 years. The team faced off against the #1 White Choppas in an offensive shootout, scoring more points than any other team against the Choppas this season. Despite a franchise record-tying 5 TDs from co-captain Gabe Farr, the Hooligans trailed throughout the entire game and fell 70-64. Captain Mike Russell fired up the Hooligans with a pep talk prior to the game. The team won the opening coin toss and elected to start on defense. Ethan Vosburg led the White Choppas down the field with a pass down the left sideline to Grant Steinborn for an early touchdown. Late addition Henry Capers received the start at quarterback for the Hooligans on their opening drive. Gabe Farr made a great leaping catch near the endzone, but the White Choppas made a goal-line stand with Elijah Abenth making a crucial “pick 6” for a 12-0 lead. The Hooligans bounced back as Henry Capers went right back to Gabe Farr, firing deep for the team’s first TD. The White Choppas countered as Ethan Vosburg connected with Elijah Abenth to maintain a 12-point lead. Hunter Lastacy switched to QB and Gabe Farr used his speed to turn a short pass into a long touchdown. However, the White Choppas answered again as captain Ryan Abenth hauled in a TD and 2-pt conversion. Hunter Lastacy made a catch on a deflected ball to pick up a 1st down for the Hooligans on the next series. Kit Martin caught a short pass and used some shifty juke moves to find the endzone. The White Choppas came up with a response once again as Elijah Abenth took a short pass and weaved through the Hooligan defense. Both teams traded scores before halftime. Kit Martin used his blazing speed to score a second touchdown for the Hooligans with Derek Nelson adding a 2-pt PAT. Ethan Vosburg countered with a run from the QB position, scrambling all the way for a score. The Hooligans trailed 42-26 at halftime. The Hooligans looked to reclaim momentum as they began the 2nd half with the ball. RJ Bortle switched to the quarterback position and connected with Kit Martin for the 3rd time on the day. However, the White Choppas continued to score as Ethan Vosburg found Elijah Abenth on the left side of the endzone. RJ Bortle went right back to work on the next series, throwing a jump ball in the endzone to Hunter Lastacy who made the leaping catch. The Hooligans nearly had a chance at a turnover, but Ethan Vosburg threaded a pass to Zack Williams through the defense which went for a touchdown and a 54-42 lead. The Hooligans continued to battle as RJ Bortle threw to Gabe Farr who tapped his toes to stay in bounds for a touchdown. A 2-pt conversion from Hunter Lastacy pulled the team within 4 points. The team looked to make a defensive stop, but the White Choppas scored again as Zack Williams used his speed to find the endzone again. RJ Bortle hit Gabe Farr on a crossing route for the co-captain’s 4th TD of the game. As the game went under 2 minutes, the Hooligans once again looked for a key defensive stop or turnover. The White Choppas remained cool under pressure as Ethan Vosburg connected with Elijah Abenth to take a 70-56 lead. History would still be made on the Hooligans’ last drive. RJ Bortle once again found Gabe Farr on a crossing route, and Farr tied Kit Martin’s franchise record set earlier this year with his 5th TD of the game. Darricle Jones added a 2-pt PAT, but the White Choppas were able to run out the clock on the next drive after picking up a first down. The Hooligans fell by a final score of 70-64. The Hooligans conclude the season 4-2 in a year that still brought many accomplishments. The team recorded the most wins since the 2012 season and several franchise records were either tied or broken. Most of the players on this year’s roster are expected to return again next season for another championship drive. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for a season overview to recap the season along with the announcement of the Hooligan awards. Until then...ROLL HOOLIGANS! 2018 team members pictured from left to right: Kit Martin, Darricle Jones, Hunter Lastacy, RJ Bortle, Gabe Farr, Henry Capers, Derek Nelson, Blake Dean, Mike Russell. Not pictured but still played in 2018: Amber Streeter, Cassie Allard, Kordell McNeal, Luke Diekevers, Mikayla Hilton, Taylor Nesbitt.
The playoff games will be held this Sunday! The Hooligans are the #2 seed in the bracket and will face off against a familiar opponent, the #3 seed Wamp Rats at 2:30pm. It will be the 7th meeting between the teams in series history. If the Hooligans win, the championship game will be at 3:30pm.
The games will be played on the field in the Thunder Complex. If you're on Twitter, go to @CuaaIntramurals and you can cast your vote for who you think will win the championship! Come on out to support the team.....ROLL HOOLIGANS! The Hooligans made several key new additions to their roster in their 53-42 win over the Charlestown Chiefs this Sunday: Cassie Allard, 1st year Hooligan - Cassie signed with the Hooligans for her first season with the team. She brings a strong athletic background as a member of Concordia’s women’s lacrosse team. Cassie showed great speed in her Hooligan debut, pulling flags on defense while notching a PAT and the game-clinching touchdown against the Charlestown Chiefs. Hunter Lastacy, 1st year Hooligan - Hunter is a newcomer to the Hooligans in 2018. He brings a strong football background, having been a member of CUAA football in the 2017 season. Hunter brings flag football experience as he played for O Block during the 2017 IM season. He made an impact against the Charlestown Chiefs with a passing TD and a receiving TD in the game. Taylor Nesbitt, 1st year Hooligan - Taylor signs on to the Hooligans for the first time in 2018. She brings great athleticism to the team honed as a member of CUAA women’s lacrosse. Taylor showed great speed and agility in her first game with the team against the Charlestown Chiefs. She pulled several flags and ran good routes on offense. The playoffs will begin on Sunday, November 18 with your Pigskin Hooligans as the #2 seed. Stay tuned for announcements on specific playing times...ROLL HOOLIGANS! Sun, Nov 11 - The Pigskin Hooligans concluded their regular season with a matchup against the Charlestown Chiefs on a blustery Sunday afternoon. The Hooligans came in with a 2-1 record on the year while the Chiefs entered 1-2 overall. A late touchdown from new signee Cassie Allard clinched a 53-42 win for the Hooligans, securing the #2 seed for the team in the playoffs. The Charlestown Chiefs won the coin toss and elected to start on offense. Taylor Nesbitt made an early flag grab on defense for the Hooligans, but Hunter Kepple would eventually find Chris Calabrese for a touchdown. After the Hooligans had a touchdown called back due to too many players on the field, Abel Christians made an interception for the Chiefs which led to Hudson Kubasek connecting with Jake Culp for a 14-0 lead. Luke Diekevers bounced right back by leading a scoring drive, eventually passing to RJ Bortle who tapped his toes to stay in bounds for a touchdown. Diekevers contributed on defense as well, rushing the QB and knocking down a pass, but Jake Culp later managed to snag a deflected ball to give the Chiefs another touchdown. Luke Diekevers made a deep pass to Hunter Lastacy on the next series which set up a short TD catch by Kit Martin. Kordell McNeal continued to make an impact on defense as he forced a fumble near the goal line which was recovered by RJ Bortle. The Hooligans capitalized as Luke Diekevers connected with Hunter Lastacy for a TD with Kordell McNeal tying the game with a 2-pt conversion. The game was tied 22-22 at halftime. The Hooligans started the 2nd half with the ball and Luke Diekevers tossed a short pass to RJ Bortle to give his team their first lead of the game. The Charlestown Chiefs battled right back as Jake Culp took a short pass and ran for a long touchdown. With the Hooligans driving into Charlestown Chiefs territory, Jonathan Chin came up with an interception. However, Luke Diekevers trailed right behind Chin and forced a fumble, giving the ball right back to his team. Hunter Lastacy switched to QB for the next series and fired a pass to Kit Martin to put the Hooligans up 36-28. The Charlestown Chiefs tied the game 36-36 as Hudson Kubasek passed to Jonathan Chin with Jake Culp adding the critical 2-pt conversion. On the Hooligans’ next possession, RJ Bortle spun off a flag grab and went down at the 1-yard line. The team showed that they were looking for a 9-pt female score, but Luke Diekevers would find Kit Martin in the back of the endzone with Cassie Allard adding the PAT. As the game wound down to the final minutes, Luke Kubasek took a lateral for a touchdown, making the score 44-42. However, Hunter Lastacy recovered a fumble on the PAT attempt and lateraled to Derek Nelson who nearly returned it for 2 Hooligan points. The defining moment of the game came on the Hooligans’ next drive. Luke Diekevers tossed a shovel pass to Cassie Allard who ran all the way for a 9-pt female touchdown. The Charlestown Chiefs elected to concede the game and the Hooligans came away with the 53-42 win. Blake Dean served as the head official for the game. The Hooligans now improve to 3-1 and clinch the #2 seed in the league. The playoffs are currently scheduled for Sunday, Nov 18 with the entire bracket expected to be completed in one day. Stay tuned for schedule details...ROLL HOOLIGANS! The Hooligans will be back in action this Sunday, Nov 11th, at 3:30pm against the Charlestown Chiefs! The game will be played on the Thunder Sports Complex field (the turf by the barn). Come on out and support the team......ROLL HOOLIGANS!
Several players not previously listed on the original roster were added to the Pigskin Hooligans for Sunday’s games. Let’s take a look at some of the new players: Amber Streeter, 1st year Hooligan - Amber played in her first game with the Hooligans franchise this past Sunday. She brings a strong athletic background to the team as a member of both Concordia cross country and track and field. Amber is a strong runner, and she brings a wealth of flag football experience from her high school days. Her speed is a great asset to the team. Kit Martin, 1st year Hooligan - Kit enters his first year with the Pigskin Hooligans franchise in 2018. He brings key football experience as a defensive back on the CUAA football team. Kit features great speed and agility, making an impact on both sides of the ball. His 5 touchdowns against the Wamp Rats broke the Hooligans franchise record for TDs in a single game. Kordell McNeal, 1st year Hooligan - Kordell is another solid addition to the Hooligans for the 2018 campaign. He brings key experience as a defensive back for CUAA football. Kordell has shown solid speed on the offensive side of the football for the Hooligans, catching several touchdowns and PATs for the team. Defensively, he recovered a pair of fumbles and made good flag grabs. Mikayla Hilton, 1st year Hooligan - Mikayla was a key addition to the Hooligans in the team’s season opener. She brings a strong athletic background, having competed as a 3-sport athlete at Lakeland University. Mikayla scored 3 TDs and a PAT in the team’s first game against the White Choppas. She is currently being scouted by women’s professional football, and they will certainly take note. The Hooligans will play next on Sunday, November 11 against the Charlestown Chiefs to complete their regular season. Stay tuned for the location and time...ROLL HOOLIGANS! Sun, Nov 4 - After falling to the White Choppas, the Hooligans had to bounce back quickly with a second game against the Wamp Rats at 2:30. The Wamp Rats led by as many as 20 points early in the game, but a franchise record 5 TDs from Kit Martin helped pace the Hooligans to an 84-64 victory. Luke Diekevers’ 9 passing TDs also tied the single-game record set by the legendary Zach Johnston. The Pigskin Hooligans won the coin toss and elected to begin the game on defense. Justin Dugan started at QB for the Wamp Rats and found Tristan Waechter on a slant route for an early score. Luke Diekevers once again started at quarterback and connected with Kit Martin for a touchdown and 2-pt conversion to tie the game. The Wamp Rats responded with 20 unanswered points. Justin Dugan first fired a touchdown pass to Abel Christians with John Psarouthakis adding a 2-pt conversion. An interception from Abel Christians led to a Tristan Waechter touchdown reception. Andrew Ripke came up with an interception on a deflected pass, and Justin Dugan found Tristan Waechter again to make the score 28-8. The Hooligans switched things up as Gabe Farr moved into the quarterback position. Farr fired a deep pass to Kordell McNeal which moved the team down the field, and then eventually found Kit Martin for his second score of the day. The Wamp Rats countered as Justin Dugan passed to Andrew Ripke for a touchdown with Hannah Sickmiller snagging the 2-pt PAT. Luke Diekevers moved back to QB for the Hooligans and found Kordell McNeal on the left side of the endzone to cut the deficit to 36-24. Kordell McNeal then made a crucial fumble recovery which swung momentum in the game. Kit Martin took a swing pass and showed his speed and agility, running all the way for his third touchdown of the game. Justin Dugan found Tristan Waechter for the third time on the day, and Hannah Sickmiller hauled in another 2-pt PAT. The Hooligans converted on the final drive of the 1st half as Gabe Farr made a low diving catch in the endzone. The Wamp Rats led 44-38 at halftime. The Hooligans began the second half on offense. Captain Mike Russell took a short swing pass and eluded several defenders to move the team down the field. Kit Martin eventually hauled in his 4th touchdown and then added a 2-pt conversion to give the Hooligans their first lead at 46-44. Kit Martin continued to make an impact as he came up with an interception near the endzone. Luke Diekevers capitalized with a deep shot over the defense to Gabe Farr for a touchdown. The Hooligan defense continued to build momentum as Kordell McNeal recovered a fumble. Derek Nelson caught a swing pass and made several spin moves on his way to the endzone. The 24 unanswered points give the Hooligans a 62-44 lead. Justin Dugan fired a pass to Abel Christians in stride to put the Wamp Rats back on the scoresheet. Amber Streeter arrived for the Hooligans and made a reception, leading to Kordell McNeal hauling in a touchdown pass. Streeter added a key flag grab on the next series as well. Justin Dugan continued to perform well at quarterback, connecting with Abel Christians in the back right corner of the endzone with Hannah Sickmiller catching her 3rd PAT. The next series would see a significant moment in Pigskin Hooligan history. Kit Martin hauled in his 5th TD of the game, making him the first player in the 13-year history of the Hooligans franchise to find the endzone five times in a single game. The play also tied Luke Diekevers for the single-game pass TD record. Luke Diekevers jumped a route and came up with a “pick 6” on the next series to put an exclamation point on the comeback victory. Justin Dugan found Jake Culp for a touchdown as time expired, but the Hooligans came away with the 84-64 win. Bobby Desantis and Kala Swanson were at the game to cheer on the Hooligans. The team improves to 2-1 after their split in the doubleheader (all teams received an automatic 14-0 forfeit win over Wakanda). The team will be in action at some point on Sunday, November 11. Time and location are still to be determined, so check back for updates...ROLL HOOLIGANS! Sun, Nov 4 - The Pigskin Hooligans opened the 2018 season with a doubleheader played on the turf at the brand new Thunder Sports Complex. The Hooligans faced off first against the White Choppas in the 1:30 game. The game featured several lead changes, but a late touchdown from Elijah Abenth with under 15 seconds remaining handed the Hooligans a 58-51 loss. The Pigskin Hooligans won the coin toss and began the game on defense. Ethan Vosburg started at quarterback for the White Choppas and found Grant Steinborn on the side of the endzone for an early touchdown. Luke Diekevers received the nod at QB for the Hooligans and led a solid opening drive, but an illegal forward pass on 4th down gave the ball back to the White Choppas. The Choppas capitalized as Ryan Abenth caught a pass near the sideline, hesitated, and then ran the length of the field. With the Hooligans trailing 16-0, Luke Diekevers fired a deep pass to Gabe Farr to set the offense up in the redzone. Diekevers then tossed a short pass to Mikayla Hilton for a critical 9-pt female touchdown. The Hooligan defense then made an impact as Gabe Farr deflected a pass which was intercepted by Luke Diekevers and returned for a “pick 6”. The Hooligans forced a turnover on downs on the next series. Derek Nelson made solid pass coverage on 3rd down and Mikayla Hilton made a great play on the ball on 4th down. The Hooligans then took their first lead of the game as Luke Diekvers found Gabe Farr for a deep touchdown. A 2-pt conversion from the speedy Kit Martin put the team up 23-16. Kordell McNeal made a great defensive play near the end of the half, but Ethan Vosburg connected with Elijah Abenth for a touchdown before time expired. The Hooligans headed to the break with a 23-22 lead. After starting the game on defense, the Hooligans began the 2nd half on offense. Kordell McNeal caught a swing pass and used shifty juke moves to run for a touchdown. The White Choppas responded as Ethan Vosburg connected with Elijah Abenth for a touchdown and 2-pt conversion to make it a 31-30 game. Kit Martin made some equally shifty moves to advance the Hooligan offense on the next series, and Luke Diekevers fired over the middle to Mikayla Hilton for a 9-pt touchdown. Grant Steinborn switched to QB for the White Choppas and found Ethan Vosburg for a touchdown and 2-pt conversion, making it a 40-38 Hooligan lead. Momentum shifted when Grant Steinborn came up with an interception for the White Choppas. The turnover led to Ethan Vosburg hooking up deep with Chris Lowe to take a 44-40 lead. The Hooligans made a promising drive into the redzone, but the White Choppas defense made a stand and forced a turnover on downs. Ethan Vosburg connected again with Chris Lowe to extend the White Choppas’ lead to 50-40. However, the Hooligans put together a late drive and took the lead. Kordell McNeal took a knee at the 1-yard line, and a power run from Mikayla Hilton along with a 2-pt conversion from McNeal made it a 51-50 Hooligans lead with 15 seconds remaining. The Hooligans needed one last defensive stand to secure the win, but the White Choppas were up to the task. Quinn Erway switched to quarterback and fired a deep pass down the left sideline to Elijah Abenth behind the Hooligans’ secondary. With 4 seconds left, the Hooligans made one last attempt with multiple laterals but time ran out and the White Choppas claimed a 58-51 win. John Psarouthakis was at the game to cheer on the Hooligans before playing in his own contest. The Hooligans’ record dropped to 1-1 with the loss (all teams received an automatic 14-0 forfeit win over Wakanda). The team had a short turnaround as they went on to face the Wamp Rats in the 2:30 contest. After nearly a month of delays, the Pigskin Hooligans will finally be in action for a doubleheader this Sunday, November 4! The Hooligans will take on the Wamp Rats at 1:30 and the White Choppas at 2:30.
The games will be held on the turf at the Thunder Sports Complex (the new field by the barn). The Hooligans season opener will be the first event held on the new field. If you can't make it to the game, you may be able to see some of the action on the live webcam at https://www.cuaa.edu/stream/index.html?id=Track.stream PLEASE NOTE RULES ON THE GRAPHIC BELOW REGARDING TURF USE. We'd love to see a great crowd, so come out and support the team...ROLL HOOLIGANS! SCHEDULE UPDATE: The Hooligans did not have their season opener today due to conflicts with team schedules. Since all of the teams in the league were unavailable to play today, the schedule will be reworked.
Be sure to check back for updates on when the team will have their season opener...ROLL HOOLIGANS! The 2018 intramural flag football season is about to kick off at CUAA and your Pigskin Hooligans will be right back in action. The Hooligans franchise will be fielding the 13th team in its proud history. The team is currently scheduled to play the Charlestown Chiefs this Sunday, October 7 at 5:30pm in Cardinal Stadium. However, there is a high probability of thunderstorms this Sunday so stay tuned for weather updates. The Hooligans will be looking to rebound from a tough year in 2017. This will be the earliest season opener in franchise history. The league will feature a total of 5 teams this year. The current plan is to have every team play each other once during the regular season (a single round robin). Every team will qualify for the final playoff bracket. Captain Mike Russell brokered a blockbuster deal in the offseason with 2017 Hooligangsters captain Gabe Farr. Together, they have joined forces to assemble a highly competitive roster. If the Hooligans win a league title this year, it would mark the 4th championship in franchise history. That would place the Pigskin Hooligans in a tie with the historic Gamecocks franchise for the most flag football championships in CUAA intramural history (based on available information). It is possible there could be later additions, but let’s take a closer look at the current roster (players listed alphabetically by first name, after captains): Gabe Farr (co-captain), 1st year Hooligan - Gabe signs with the Hooligans for the first time in his storied intramural career. He brings a wealth of talent and leadership experience, serving as captain for several teams in past years. Gabe brings a strong athletic background as a former member of the CUAA baseball team. His speed and athleticism will make him a dominant force on both sides of the ball. Gabe had this to say on signing: “Pigskin Hooligans are back and better than ever!” Mike Russell (co-captain), 13th year Hooligan - Captain Russell continues to steadfastly guide the Hooligans as the team enters the 2018 season. He continues to work tirelessly in the offseason to recruit a championship-caliber team. Last year, Russell hauled in a receiving touchdown while likely making the most receptions of his career. He had this to say: “I am excited to be back for another championship run - can’t wait to get on the field!” Ashton Gray, 1st year Hooligan - Ashton will be a key newcomer to the Hooligans in 2018. He brings a strong football backbround to the team, having recently completed a standout 4-year career as a running back for CUAA football. Ashton showed great speed and agility for the Cardinals, contributing to the school’s first ever appearance in the NAIA playoffs. He will be a great weapon on offense with his ability to make defenders miss. Derek Nelson, 2nd year Hooligan - Derek returns to the Hooligans in 2018 after a year away from the franchise. He was a member of the 2016 championship squad, competing in every game while notching 2 pass TDs, 2 receiving TDs and a PAT. Derek showed great versatility at multiple positions, pacing the team to a perfect 3-0 finish. He will be a welcome returner to this year’s squad. Jack Gomori, 1st year Hooligan - Jack will be a new signing for the Hooligans in 2018. He brings a great athletic background to the team as a two-sport athlete, competing for both the CUAA cross country and track and field teams. Jack has shown strong ability as a runner throughout his athletic career with Concordia. He will be a solid contributor on both sides of the ball. Kaleb Pohlman, 1st year Hooligan - Kaleb is another key signing for the Hooligans in the 2018 campaign. He brings a strong athletic background to the franchise as he recently completed a stellar 4-year campaign for CUAA football. Kaleb was relentless as a defensive end, contributing to a strong defense that led the Cardinals to their first ever NAIA playoff appearence. He will be an anchor for the Hooligans’ defense this year. Kassidy Grandorff, 1st year Hooligan - Kassidy will be a newcomer on the Hooligans for the 2018 season. She brings a great athletic background to the team as she enters her third year as a member of the Concordia softball team. Kassidy has shown great speed running the bases on the softball diamond, finishing second on the team last year with 4 stolen bases. Her agility will make her a key asset to the Hooligans. Luke Diekevers, 1st year Hooligan - Luke will be new to the Hooligans franchise in 2018. He recently completed a standout 4-year career as a foward for the CUAA men’s basketball team. Luke played quarterback in 8th grade, and he is expected to be the favorite to play that critical position for the team this year. His arm strength and strong knowledge of the game puts him in a great position to lead the offense. RJ Bortle, 1st year Hooligan - RJ will be entering his first year with the Pigskin Hooligans franchise in the 2018 campaign. He brings an athletic background to the squad as he will be entering his third year with the CUAA baseball team. RJ showed good hands as a receiver last year for the Hooligangsters, catching 2 touchdowns. He will be another great addition to the 2018 team. Ryan Bailey, 1st year Hooligan - Ryan joins the Hooligans for his first official season with the franchise. He brings great endurance and athleticism to the team as a member of both CUAA cross country and track and field. Ryan specializes in events that involve running, and he is expected to be a key player at the wide receiver position. He had this to say on signing with the Hooligans: “Let’s win!” Tyffani Bryan, 1st year Hooligan - Tyffani will be the final new signing for the Hooligans in 2018. She brings strong athleticism to the team, entering her third year as a member of the Concordia softball team. Tyffani has football in her DNA as her dad played college football for Michigan State. She has shown great speed running the bases and she will be a solid asset to the team as a wide receiver. Remember, the Hooligans are scheduled to play their first game this Sunday, October 7 at 5:30pm in Cardinal Stadium. Stay tuned for weather updates as thunderstorms are currently in the forecast. Be sure to come out and support the team this year...ROLL HOOLIGANS! Planning is underway and the 2018 flag football season is expected to begin soon at CUAA! Stay tuned for previews of the team's roster and schedule for this year. Check back for updates...ROLL HOOLIGANS!
Sun, May 20 - Graduation ceremonies were held at Concordia University Ann Arbor on Sunday. The class of 2018 received their diplomas after many years of dedicated work in the classroom. 11 players who have competed for the Pigskin Hooligans at some point in their intramural career were included among the graduates. Let’s take a closer look at the accomplishments of each of these players, both on and off the field: Angela completed graduate school in 2018, receiving her degree in the Student Personnel in Adult Higher Education (SPAHE) program. She was a cornerstone of the franchise for 5 seasons, contributing to the 2012 and 2014 championship teams while collecting 7 team awards along the way. Angela currently ranks #1 all-time in career touchdowns with 26, and her passing TD in 2015 gives her the female record for a game, season, and a career. She is also tied for #1 in touchdowns scored in a single game with a pair of 4-TD performances. Derek graduates from CUAA with a major in General Business and a minor in Sport and Entertainment Business. He was a part of the 2016 championship team, appearing in all 3 games for a team that went 3-0. Derek demonstrated versatility throughout the season in a variety of positions. He passed for 2 TDs at the quarterback position while also showing good hands as a receiver, hauling in 2 receiving TDs and a PAT. Hallie graduates from Concordia with a degree in Mass Communications. She was a member of the 2016 championship team, appearing in the team’s 62-53 victory over the Wamp Rats. Hallie served as the team’s only girl for the contest and made several solid receptions to pick up yardage. Herm graduates from Concordia with a degree in Sport and Entertainment Business. He was a key late-season signing for the team during the 2014 championship season. Herm played in the last 2 games of the year, making a key interception in the semifinals to send the Hooligans to the championship game. With the team trailing 56-49 in the title game, he made a clutch TD reception with just 11 seconds left and then added a 2-pt PAT catch to give the team a 57-56 lead. The play is considered one of the most iconic moments in Pigskin Hooligan history. Justin completed graduate school in 2018, receiving his Master of Business Administration (MBA). He played for the franchise for 3 years, contributing to the 2012 and 2014 championship teams. Justin showed consistent flag-grabbing ability, earning him the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012 on a team that went 7-0. He also had great hands as a receiver, hauling in 5 TDs along with a franchise career record 18 PATs in his time with the Hooligans. Kaushik completed graduate school in 2018, receiving his Master of Science in Computer Science. He was a dependable member of the 2017 Pigskin Hooligan squad, playing in 2 out of 3 games during the season. Kaushik showed great flag-grabbing ability, making him a good defender, and he ran solid routes on the offensive side of the ball. Ken graduates Concordia with a major in Music and a minor in Contemporary Christian Music. He played for the Hooligans in the 2017 season, appearing in every single game during the year. Ken saw time at many positions, heaving the ball downfield as the quarterback while also playing receiver. He made several key catches for first downs that advanced the Hooligans’ offense. Lukas gradutes Concordia with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. He was a member of the 2014 championship team that overcame an 0-3 start to finish with the league title. Lukas showed quickness and great hands as a receiver, hauling in 6 touchdowns and a PAT on the year. He also made an impact defensively with one interception during the season. Marshall graduates Concordia with a degree in Sport and Entertainment Business. He played 3 years for the team, winning 6 awards including co-MVP honors from 2014-2016 with his twin brother Micah. Marshall was an integral part of the 2014 and 2016 championship teams, splitting time between quarterback and receiver. He is ranked #2 all-time in career pass TDs with 41, is tied for #4 all-time with 11 PATs, and is tied for #5 with 16 career TDs. Micah graduates Concordia with a degree in Sport and Entertainment Business. He played for the franchise from 2014-2016, collecting 7 awards including co-MVP honors with his twin brother Marshall. Micah was also integral part of the 2014 and 2016 championship teams, leading the legendary championship-winning drive in 2014 at QB while also playing receiver. He ranks #3 all-time in pass TDs with 27, #4 in touchdowns with 17, and #3 in defensive INTs with 8. Virgilio graduates from Concordia with a degree in Justice and Public Policy. He was a member of the 2015 team which made an appearance in the championship game. Virgilio made a huge impact at the quarterback position in the team’s 61-38 win in the semifinals over the Wamp Rats. His 8 passing TDs in the match ranks him 2nd all-time for a single game and was the most by any quaterback in their Pigskin Hooligan debut.
The Pigskin Hooligans organization would like to congratulate all 10 of these graduates for their academic accomplishments. Each of these players made significant contributions to the franchise while completing their work in the classroom. The franchise thanks each player for the time they gave to the team, and wishes them luck in their future endeavors. ROLL HOOLIGANS! The Pigskin Hooligans would like to congratulate Nick Holshoe on signing with Guelfi Firenze, an Italian professional football team! Nick becomes the first member of the Hooligans to go on to play pro football. Nick played for the Hooligans in the 2015 season, appearing in the team's 2 playoff games that year. He registered 4 touchdowns (2 receiving, 1 rushing, and a "pick 6") along with a passing TD in his time with the team. In his first pre-season scrimmage Nick showed his skills are still sharp by making several interceptions, including a "pick 6". You can follow his progress throughout the season by checking out Guelfi Firenze's team pages. ROLL HOOLIGANS! Nick Holshoe signing with his new team - photo courtesy of Guelfi Firenze
You can view the final league stats for the 2017 season here:
Now that we’ve recapped the 2017 Pigskin Hooligans season, we would like to give special recognition to this year’s award recipients: Blake receives the team’s MVP award for his performance in the 2017 season. As a member of the CUAA football team his athleticism was crucial to the Hooligans on both sides of the ball. On offense Blake rotated between quarterback and receiver, making good throws while also using his speed to advance the ball. Defensively he made a big impact with 2 interceptions and a forced fumble. Blake also receives the Defensive Player of the Year award for his efforts on defense. He often played the role of free safety on deep passes, sometimes running from one side of the field to another to get in position to make a play. His 2 interceptions (including one for a “pick 6”) led the team. Blake also forced a fumble on a PAT attempt by the Green Hornets and returned it for 2 points. Finally, Blake also receives the Breakout Player of the Year award which is given to the team’s best newcomer. Danielle receives this year’s Brittany Davis Memorial Award, given to the most outstanding female member of the Pigskin Hooligans. She was elevated to the role of co-captain in her first year with the team, making her the first freshman in franchise history to hold that role. Danielle showed amazing leadership in the 2017 season and she showed tenacity on defense to pull flags. She showed good hands and an ability to make catches, and she will be a key franchise player for many years to come. Conner earns the Individual Performance of the Year award in 2016, given to the player with the best single-game effort. He receives the honor for his performance in the team’s first round playoff game against the Wamp Rats. Conner made 2 interceptions which he returned for a “pick 6”, keeping the Hooligans in the game, while also seeing time at QB. He finished just one INT away from tying the franchise single-game record in only one half of play. Conner also receives this year’s Sub of the Year Award, given to the most outstanding midseason addition to the team. Alissa receives this year’s Heart of the Hooligans award, given to the player that best exemplifies the spirit of the franchise. Special consideration for this award is given to players who have sustained an injury. Alissa played in the team’s first game against the Wamp Rats, but unfortunately due to a finger injury she was unable to play the rest of the season. The franchise eagerly anticipates her return next year as she recovers in the offseason. Captain Russell earns this year’s Most Improved Player award. He saw much more playing time than usual this season due to limited personnel and worked hard to develop his game as a receiver. Russell made a career-high 5 receptions and hauled in a receiving touchdown in the Hooligans’ second game of the season against the Green Hornets. Finally, here are the top individual plays of the 2017 season: Gold Play - Blake Dean’s “pick 6” in the season opener against the Wamp Rats (October 29, 2017) - While the Hooligan offense had difficulty moving the ball against a stifling Wamp Rats defense in their season opener, it was the defense that provided a scoring spark late in the first half. Blake made a great defensive read in the endzone, making an interception and returning it all the way for 6 points. Silver Play - Conner Forbes’ first “pick 6” in the playoff game against the Wamp Rats (November 17, 2017) - Conner signed with the Hooligans just before their first round playoff game, enabling the team to reach five total players on the field. The Wamp Rats began with the ball and looked to be on their way to a scoring drive. However Conner made a great interception in the endzone and returned it for a “pick 6”, giving the Hooligans their first lead of the year with a 6-0 advantage. Bronze Play - Mike Russell’s receiving touchdown against the Green Hornets (November 12, 2017) - While the Green Hornets played tenacious defense in the Hooligans’ second game of the season, the team did put together a scoring drive late in the game. Blake Dean lofted a pass to the left side of the endzone which was caught by Captain Russell for the team’s first offensive touchdown of the year. Congratulations to all of the award winners on their achievement! All of these players made great contributions to the Hooligans this year. This concludes our review of the 2017 Pigskin Hooligans season. Be sure to check back next fall to follow the team’s efforts at returning to glory. Until then...ROLL HOOLIGANS! The 2017 season saw the emergence of a young Pigskin Hooligans squad which features great future promise. An unusual amount of schedule conflicts created personnel issues all year - the Hooligans never even managed to field a full 7 players on the field in any game. The team finished with an 0-3 record overall. The league featured 6 teams this season, the largest amount since the 2013 season. Due to the league’s late start time, teams played only a 2-game “regular season” schedule and all 6 teams made the playoffs. Let’s take a game-by-game look at the team’s results: Game 1: Sun, Oct 29 - L 6-64 vs Wamp Rats: The Hooligans opened their season in Cardinal Stadium against the Wamp Rats on a slightly chilly afternoon. The Wamp Rats pitched a shutout for most of the first half until a “pick 6” by Blake Dean put the team on the board. The Hooligan offense made some completions, but a lack of subs led to fatigue late in the game. Game 2: Sun, Nov 12 - L 11-66 vs Green Hornets: The Hooligans played their second game on a drizzly day against the eventual league champion Green Hornets. The team was only able to field 4 players, but the Hornets showed sportsmanship playing 4-on-4 throughout. The Green Hornets played explosive offense and stifling defense throughout the match, but the Hooligans managed an offensive touchdown late in the game as Blake Dean lofted a pass to the endzone that was caught by captain Mike Russell. Game 3: Fri, Nov 17 - L 14-22 vs #3 Wamp Rats: The Hooligans received the #6 seed in the playoffs and the first round featured a rematch with the Wamp Rats. The team was originally only able to field 4 players for the game, but late signee Conner Forbes served as a 5th player and made a huge impact with two “pick 6” INTs on defense. Darius Wilson showed tremendous speed and co-captain Danielle Thompson made great flag grabs, but the Wamp Rats pulled away to lead 22-14 after the first half. With the Hooligans having several players that had to leave at halftime, leaving the team with only 3 players, the game was called after one half of play. The Hooligans used a total of 8 players this year. Let’s look at the individual stats and accomplishments of each team member (players listed in alphabetical order by first name, after captains): Danielle Thompson (co-captain) - Danielle was a fantastic signing for the Hooligans in 2017. She showed phenomenal leadership throughout the year, assisting in the recruitment of many team members. Danielle showed a consistent ability to pull flags on defense and make receptions on offense. She will be a cornerstone of the franchise going forward in the next several years. 2017 stats: 2 GP Mike Russell (co-captain) - Captain Russell continued to work on his personal game in 2017. He made a career-high five receptions in the team’s second game against the Green Hornets and hauled in a touchdown late in the game. Russell improved his pass-catching throughout the year and had many receptions including a couple for first-down yardage. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 1 TD Alissa Papsun - Alissa played in the Hooligans’ first game of the season against the Wamp Rats. She contributed on both sides of the ball, taking a few handoffs on offense while also making several flag grabs on defense. Unfortunately Alissa’s season was ended due to a finger injury, but the Hooligans hope to have her back in the system next year. 2017 stats: 1 GP Blake Dean - Blake was an amazing addition to the Hooligans in 2017. As a member of the CUAA football team he was counted on to make athletic contributions all over the field. Offensively he saw at least half the snaps at QB and used his speed as a receiver to make big gains. On defense he made 2 interceptions, including a “pick 6”, and registered many flag grabs throughout the year. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 1 pass TD, 1 TD, 1 PAT, 2 INTs Conner Forbes - Conner was a great signing for the Hooligans in their first round playoff match against the Wamp Rats. He made a tremendous impact in the defensive game, coming up with two interceptions that went for a “pick 6”. Conner also saw significant time at QB and made solid throws to move the offense down the field. 2017 stats: 1 GP, 2 TDs, 2 INTs Darius Wilson - Darius was a huge addition to the Hooligans in the 2017 season. He showed blazing speed in the team’s first round playoff match against the Wamp Rats, torching the defense for huge gains and advancing the Hooligan offense down the field. On defense Darius also used his speed to track down players and pull their flag. 2017 stats: 1 GP Kaushik Thallapally - Kaushik made great contributions to the Hooligans in 2017. He showed speed as a receiver on the offensive side of the ball, making some receptions and showing his quickness. Defensively Kaushik made some good flag grabs for the team, often diving to get in the right position to lunge for the flag. 2017 stats: 2 GP Ken Simon - Ken was a solid addition to the Hooligans roster in the 2017 season. He saw significant time at quarterback throughout the season, showing good arm strength and accuracy. Ken also played receiver and made some key catches while also featuring a vast array of spin moves to elude defenders. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 1 PAT The Pigskin Hooligans organization firmly believes that the franchise is on the right track for the future. Upper management will be hard at work in the off-season to retain talent from this year’s team and recruit dependable free agents for next year’s squad. Stay tuned next week for the Hooligan Awards Show which will highlight specific accomplishments of individual team players. ROLL HOOLIGANS! The Pigskin Hooligans fought hard in 2017, battling through massive roster absences and showing heart and determination. The Hooligans took a "team picture" following their narrow first round playoff defeat, although unfortunately many team members were unavailable for the picture:
Pictured (left to right): Co-captains Mike Russell and Danielle Thompson, Darius Wilson Not pictured but played in 2017: Alissa Papsun, Blake Dean, Conner Forbes, Kaushik Thallapally, Ken Simon Stay tuned for a season overview coming soon recapping highlights from the 2017 season! The Pigskin Hooligans organization has the privilege once again this year to announce the 2017 All-Star rosters! Two teams of 12 players each were selected out of a total of 56 league participants this season. League Commissioner Mike Russell captains one All-Star team, while league champion Green Hornets captain Tyler Pummell headlines the second one. In the future, we hope that an actual All-Star game can be played if the season can begin earlier. Let’s take a look at the accomplishments of these players (all interceptions listed are on defense): Mike Russell (captain) (Pigskin Hooligans) - Pigskin Hooligans captain Mike Russell receives an automatic All-Star bid as league commissioner, his 7th career selection. He led the Hooligans in receiving TDs this year, hauling in the team’s lone offensive score in their match against the Green Hornets. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 1 TD Blake Dean (Pigskin Hooligans) - Blake earns an All-Star bid after a sensational rookie season with the Pigskin Hooligans. He provided great athleticism to the team on both sides of the ball, leading the Hooligans in defensive INTs with 2 (including a “pick 6”) while also throwing 1 TD pass as QB. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 1 pass TD, 1 TD, 1 PAT, 2 INTs Drew Borror (O Block) - Drew receives an All-Star selection following a great season with O Block. He showed great versatility throughout the year, seeing time at quarterback and throwing for 2 touchdowns while also hauling in 4 touchdowns and a PAT at the receiver position. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 2 pass TDs, 4 TDs, 1 PAT Gabe Farr (Hooligangsters) - Gabe earns his third straight selection as an All-Star in 2017. The Hooligangsters captain provided a consistent target on offense, finishing tied for 2nd in the league with 4 PATs while adding 5 touchdown catches. On defense Gabe also recorded an interception. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 5 TDs, 4 PATs, 1 INT Jacob Baxter (Green Hornets) - Jacob receives an All-Star selection after his rookie year with the league champion Green Hornets. He showed great dependability as a receiver, snagging 2 touchdowns on the year. Jacob also notched an interception on defense. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 2 TDs, 1 INT Joel Werner (Wamp Rats) - Joel receives the second All-Star selection of his career in 2017. He served as the primary quarterback for the Wamp Rats, passing for 7 TDs on the season while also hauling in 2 PATs. Defensively he forced a fumble and a safety in the team’s season-opening win over the Pigskin Hooligans. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 7 pass TDs, 2 PATs Malik Johnson (O Block) - Malik earns an All-Star berth after a standout rookie year with O Block. He showed very dependable hands as a receiver in the endzone, hauling in a team-leading 7 TDs which ranks him #2 in the league overall. Malik also snagged 2 PATs for his team. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 7 TDs, 2 PATs Marshall Oetting (Hooligangsters) - Marshall receives an All-Star selection for the fourth consecutive year in 2017. He showed great play at the QB position, finishing 2nd in the league with 20 pass TDs. His 11 passing TDs against the Wamp Rats set a new all-time CUAA record for a single game. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 20 pass TDs, 1 TD, 2 INTs Matt Botti (Balls Deep) - Matt earned All-Star honors for the third consecutive year in 2017. The Balls Deep captain demonstrated versatility all over the field, passing for 1 TD while also catching 4 TDs along with 2 PATs. Defensively Matt registered a team-leading 2 interceptions. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 1 pass TD, 4 TDs, 2 PATs, 2 INTs Paul Zysk (Green Hornets) - Paul receives an All-Star selection following his first year in the league. He showed great dominance as a receiver for the Green Hornets, using his 6’9” height to catch 2 deep touchdown passes on the year. Paul also made an impact on defense with an interception. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 2 TDs, 1 INT Taylor Kahlstorf (Wamp Rats) - Taylor earned an All-Star bid after her rookie year with the Wamp Rats. She showed good hands as a receiver, notching 2 receiving TDs which ties her for #1 in the league in female TDs. Taylor also made a great juggling PAT catch in her team’s playoff win. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 2 TDs, 1 PAT Zack Williams (Balls Deep) - Zack receives an All-Star selection after a great rookie campaign in 2017. He showed tremendous speed and good hands as a receiver, finishing 3rd in the league with 6 touchdown receptions on the year. Zack also led the entire league with 7 PATs. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 6 TDs, 7 PATs Tyler Pummell (Green Hornets) - Tyler leads the second All-Star team, earning his first career berth. The captain of the league champion Green Hornets turned in a solid season, notching 2 TDs and a PAT on offense while also setting good blocks. Defensively Tyler also recorded an interception. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 2 TDs, 1 PAT, 1 INT Andrew Ripke (Wamp Rats) - Andrew receives the second All-Star selection of his career after the 2017 season. The Wamp Rats captain contributed at multiple positions, passing for 3 TDs while also recording a touchdown and a PAT. On defense Andrew also notched 2 interceptions. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 3 pass TDs, 1 TD, 1 PAT, 2 INTs Blaine Milheim (Balls Deep) - Blaine earns a third straight All-Star selection in 2017. He showed great speed throughout the year, stretching out big plays and leading the league with 10 receiving TDs. Blaine also saw time at the QB position, passing for 2 TDs, and he had a PAT as well. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 2 pass TDs, 10 TDs, 1 PAT Brandon Bettcher (Wamp Rats) - Brandon receives his first career selection to the All-Star game in 2017. His bursts of speed allowed him to make an impact on both sides of the ball. Brandon had a “pick 6” on defense while also notching a receiving TD, a passing TD, and a PAT catch. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 1 pass TD, 2 TDs, 1 PAT, 1 INT Britney Calder (Balls Deep) - Britney earns an All-Star selection after her rookie year in the 2017 season. She made two critical touchdown receptions in her team’s season-opening contest against the Hooligangsters, tying her for #1 in the league in female touchdowns. 2017 stats: 1 GP, 2 TDs Eric Bugg (Green Hornets) - Eric receives an All-Star selection after a great first season in 2017. He made a huge impact on the defensive side of the ball, recording a league-leading 5 interceptions including 2 that went for a “pick 6”. Eric also passed for 3 touchdowns on the year. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 3 pass TDs, 3 TDs, 5 INTs Hunter Lastacy (O Block) - Hunter is named an All-Star after his rookie year with O Block in 2017. He handled the majority of the quarterback duties for his squad, passing for 16 touchdowns which places him 3rd in the league. Hunter also saw time at receiver, recording a PAT catch. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 16 pass TDs, 1 PAT Jamil Freeman (O Block) - Jamil receives a selection as an All-Star following his first year in the league. The captain of O Block showed great speed and agility throughout the year, showing an ability to take swing passes for huge gains. Jamil recorded 2 TDs and a PAT on the year. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 2 TDs, 1 PAT Micah Oetting (Hooligangsters) - Micah receives his fourth straight All-Star selection in 2017. He saw time at receiver throughout the year, finishing tied for the team lead with 5 touchdowns along with 2 PATs. Micah also notched an interception on defense. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 5 TDs, 2 PATs, 1 INT Preston Sherman (Balls Deep) - Preston earns an All-Star selection after a standout rookie season. He primarily saw time at the quarterback position, leading the league with 21 passing TDs on the year. Preston passed for 11 TDs in his team’s playoff win over O Block, tying the all-time CUAA record. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 21 pass TDs, 1 TD Taylor Parsons (Hooligangsters) - Taylor receives the second All-Star berth of his career in 2017. He showed dependable hands as a receiver in the endzone, hauling in 5 TDs on the year including a 4-TD performance in his team’s season opener. Taylor also recorded 3 PATs on the year. 2017 stats: 2 GP, 5 TDs, 3 PATs Tyler Tweedale (Wamp Rats) - Tyler earns a second straight All-Star selection after the 2017 season. He continued to be a dependable receiver on the Wamp Rats, leading the team with 4 touchdowns on the year. Tyler also recorded 2 interceptions on defense. 2017 stats: 3 GP, 4 TDs, 2 PATs, 2 INTs Congratulations to the 2017 All-Stars! All of these players made tremendous contributions to their team and their athletic ability made for an exciting season. Many of these players will be returning in 2018 so be sure to check back next year to follow the action! Fri, Nov 17 – The Pigskin Hooligans entered the first round of the playoffs on Friday afternoon, facing off against the #3 Wamp Rats in a rematch of the team’s season opener. The Hooligans were looking to pull off an upset and advance to the second round on Sunday afternoon. Once again a massive deficit in players plagued the team – despite a huge roster size, only four original team members were available to play. The Hooligans showed heart and determination, keeping the game close, but the team was eliminated from the playoffs as the Wamp Rats advanced with a 22-14 victory. The Hooligans made a late signing, adding Conner Forbes to the team, and he joined co-captain Danielle Thompson, Darius Wilson, Ken Simon and co-captain Mike Russell starting on the field. The Hooligans won the coin toss and elected to play defense first. Danielle Thompson contributed many key flag grabs throughout the day, but the Wamp Rats moved the ball steadily down the field with a 7-on-5 advantage. However Conner Forbes would come up with an interception in the endzone and return it all the way for a “pick 6”, giving the Hooligans their first lead of the season. The Wamp Rats responded on their next drive as captain Andrew Ripke hooked up with Tyler Tweedale for a touchdown, tying the game 6-6. On the Hooligans’ next possession Darius Wilson showed off his speed, gashing the defense for big gains. The Wamp Rats eventually managed to force a turnover on downs, taking over just past midfield. But the Hooligans’ defense came up huge again – Conner Forbes came up with his second “pick 6” of the game. Forbes would then toss a 2-pt conversion pass to Ken Simon to give the Hooligans a 14-6 lead. The Wamp Rats converted on their next drive to even the score again. Joel Werner took the reins of the quarterback position and tossed a pass to Micah Penhallegon with Taylor Kahlstorf hauling in the game-tying 2-pt conversion. The Hooligans moved down the field again as co-captain Mike Russell took a swing pass for a long gain and Ken Simon hauled in a first-down reception. The offense would make it just outside the goal line, but the Wamp Rats would come up with a goal line stand to force a turnover on downs. Darius Wilson paced the Hooligans’ defense with clutch flag grabs, but despite facing a long field the Wamp Rats converted - Joel Werner connected with Daniel Jacob with Tyler Tweedale adding a 2-pt conversion to take a 22-14 lead. The Hooligans made one last drive before halftime but a deep pass to the endzone would be broken up by Micah Penhallegon. At halftime, the Hooligans had several players who had to leave which brought the team down to 3 total players. All captains agreed that the most fair decision was to declare the first half the end of the game, giving the Wamp Rats a 22-14 win. Hooligans co-captain Mike Russell and Wamp Rats captain Andrew Ripke drafted teams of 5 for a pickup game “just for fun”. Russell’s team would win 37-36, paced by the standout play of first overall draft pick Danielle Thompson. Grace Stadler cheered on the Hooligans from a distance while at CUAA women’s soccer practice. The Hooligans conclude their 2017 season with an 0-3 record. The Wamp Rats improve to 2-1, claiming their first playoff win in franchise history. They had this to say on the historic playoff victory: “Soli Deo Gloria! #trusttheprocess”, while also adding: “Dilly-dilly!”. The Wamp Rats will now advance to face the #2 seed, the Green Hornets, this Sunday afternoon. Be sure to check back in the next several weeks for a season overview and other coverage. The upper management of the Pigskin Hooligans firmly believes that the organization has many talented young players that played this year and the future is bright. If additional team members can be secured for next year so that a full roster can be fielded in games, more championships could be just around the corner. ROLL HOOLIGANS! Note: All interceptions listed are on defense. Remember the Pigskin Hooligans have their 1st round playoff game today against the #3 Wamp Rats at 3:45pm! The game will be played on the mini soccer field in front of Cardinal Stadium. Come out and support the team.....ROLL HOOLIGANS!
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Written by Mike Russell
Archives
May 2021
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