Palm Sunday, 25 March, 2018
Do you fully understand the ramifications knowing that the Contreras Reunification is now only . . .
. . . more days away?
This bright and beautiful Spring Sunday requireded me to only wear my simple Varese Skorpions hooded sweatshirt, for once there was no need to add a parka to my ensemble.
Although I did throw one into the car just in case.
Our American football Sunday started with a Flag Football Tournament that commenced, in theory, at 9:30 a.m.
All three of our Flag teams (U17, U15 and U13) were scheduled to play two games each against their counterpart clubs from the Milano Seamen, Busto Arsizio Blue Storms and Gallarate G-Team.
The tournament's stadium was about a
40 minute drive from the Villa Skorpion
in the Milan suburb of Pero
The Milano Seamen were hosting
the tournament today
The Leaning Tower of Pero?
Coaches Marco Santagostino
and Omar Passera gathering the troops
Even though all four clubs had their respective teams, referees and fans all at the field in plenty of time for the three scheduled 9:30 a.m. opening games, there was some sort of issue forcing the games to start 30 minutes late.
I believe that it was just an opportunity for all in attendance to enjoy the most important of Italian cultural rituals . . .
ARGUING!
Our U17s opened the day with their game against the Milano Seamen, a physical looking bunch I might add that was really better suited to being in pads.
U17 Game Action
Christopher Espino's
Eggs Sunny Side Up
Game Day Sox
"No, I'm NOT putting
my hands in there!"
U17 Ballet
Our QB was bit long on his
deep passes all game long
Blitzing Tanya Grande
had two QB Sacks in the game
Sofia Petrillo on the tackle
See what I mean about the size of the Seamen.
Tanya applying pressure
to the Milano QB again
Anticipation . . .
TD Varese by the Skorpions
modern day "Wheaton Iceman"
"The Galloping Ghost"
at it again
GREAT pass break-up on a key
4th down play in the First Half
Another Skorpion defensive
pass deflection
He is loose again in the secondary
Hard to get that second
hand to the ball on this one
Many were close but
no one caught this one
Flag Bunch Formation
Stefano Lusuriello
taking a good look at the flag
At least I hope that was his focus here.
HEY, he can't block her
under Flag rules
#83 Christopher Espino knocking
down the Seamen's final gasp pass
So THAT'S what all of these arm
bands are for, I always wondered
Our U17s opened the day with a stirring 13-6 victory over the host Seamen.
U13 Game Action
The second game of the day for the Skorpion contingent was a U13 battle with the Busto Arsizio Blue Storms.
Center Melissa Espnino and
QB Tommy Petrillo
Tommy had a good game
launching the ball
More Football Ballet
Tommy avoiding the Sack
Melissa Espino would not allow
her U17 brother Christoper have
all of the Game Day Sox glory today
Neither would Davide Vanetti
Emma Petrillo on the loose
Davide Vanetti is open
BIG interception
Stretching for SIX!
U13 pursuit
Melissa open in the flat
"What are you looking at Bub?"
The Complete List of Great,
Intimidating Middle Linebackers
Chuck Bednarik, Les Richter, Lee Roy Jordan, Willie Lanier, Jack Lambert, Brian Urlacher, Tommy Nobis, Sam Huff, Mike Singletary, Joe Schmidt, Ray Lewis, Ray Nitschke, Dick Butkus and now . . .
#7 Alessandro Mascetti!
As mentioned in previous blog posts, Alessandro is a HUGE Arena Football League fan of the Iowa Barnstormers.
Melissa has a great game!
Emma, catch with your hands,
it is easier than using your forearms
After Tommy handed off to Emma . . .
. . . he faked a pass
Melissa was our U13's most
consistent receiver
Blue Storms Attack inspiring awe
Riccardo Lo Monaco's big interception
return at the end of the game . . .
. . . Ricky almost scored a TD
on his return
Emma ran the ball exclusively
on our game ending drive
aimed at running out the clock
Our U13s controlled the game from start to finish and won by a comfortable final score of 27-13.
The Skorpion Family knows
how to celebrate a couple
of early morning wins . . .
. . . mangia, Mangia, MANGIA!
After dining on a delicious prosciutto sandwich and having a small glass of cool prosecco, I needed to leave the tournament for another drive, this time about 35 minutes long, to watch a DII Group C game at the Busto Arsizio Blue Storms' home field.
Thus I missed seeing both of our U15 team's games and the U17's and U13's second games.
As for the rest of the Flag Tournament,
here are the GREAT results
from our six games
U17 Team (2-0)
Beat the Milano Seamen 13-6
Beat the Busto Arsizio Blue Storms 21-7
U15 Team (2-0)
Beat the Gallarate G-Team 50-0
Beat the Milano Seamen 27-0
U13 Team (2-0)
Beat the Busto Arsizio Blue Storms 27-13
Beat the Milano Seamen 31-18
6-0!
It's GREAT to be a Skorpion!
Meanwhile in the nearby city of Magnano . . .
At the Campo Sportivo Bienate
the home team
Busto Arsizio Blue Storms
take the field
The Blue Storms (1-0) were hosting the Cagliari Crusaders (1-0) for the lone leadership of our DII Group C as we head into the Easter Week which has byes scheduled for all DII teams.
The first offensive play of the game
was a Blue Storms' play action
pass for a 50 yard TD!
The Blue Storms defense came to play
Busto Arsizio Toss Sweep . . .
. . . easily got to the perimeter
The Busto Arsizio club plays
BIG BOY football
Another Blue Storms Toss Sweep
No contest.
The Blue Storms dominated the first half building up a 24-0 lead that they would extend in the third period to 31-0.
In a show of class, the Blue Storms then cleared the bench and gave all of their subs a ton of playing time.
The Blue Storm are clearly the top team in Group C at this time. The final score today was 31-6 in favor of the Blue Storms.
The big church in Magnano
I had to stop and take a quick peek, it was quite average inside by Italian standards.
DII WEEK IN REVIEW
DII Week #5 Results
Group C Game:
Busto Arsizio Blue Storms (2-0) 31
Cagliari Crusaders (1-1) 6
BYES: Varese Gorillas (0-2) and Varese Skorpions (1-1)
Games Involving the Skorpions Two Non-Group Game Opponents (red)
Group A Game:
Bologna Braves (1-2) 24
Sant'Agata Knights (0-3) 0
Group F Game:
Reggio Emilia Hogs (2-1) 35
Sarzana Red Jackets (0-3) 20
CURRENT GROUP C STANDINGS
1. Busto Arsizio Blue Storms 2-0
2T. Cagliari Crusaders 1-1
2T. Varese Skorpions 1-1
4. Varese Gorillas 0-2
CURRENT GROUP A STANDINGS
1T. Bologna Warriors 2-0
1T. Palermo Sharks 2-0
3. Bologna Braves 1-2
4. Sant'Agata Knights 0-3
CURRENT GROUP F STANDINGS
1. Modena Vipers 3-0
2. Reggio Emilia Hogs 2-1
3. Brescia Bengals 1-2
4. Sarzana Red Jackets 0-3
Bye Week #1
All DII teams have a bye Easter weekend, March 31st and April 1st.
FIDAF's DII will have Bye Week #2 on June 2nd and 3rd, the week before the start of the DII playoffs.
Week #6 Scheduled Games
In two weeks, most DII clubs will be playing the first of their two non-Group games.
Saturday, April 7th
Sant'Agata Knights (0-3) at Varese Skorpions (1-1)
Sarzana Red Jackets (0-3) at Monza Brianza Hammers (3-0)
Sunday, April 8th
Modena Vipers (3-0) at Cagliari Crusaders (1-1)
Palermo Sharks (2-0) at Busto Arsizio Blue Storms (2-0)
BYE: Varese Gorillas (0-2)
Sant'Agata Knights, in black,
against the Bologna Braves
The Bologna Brave wearing jersey #21 pursuing the ball is none other than former Catania Elephant Free Safety Christian Di Mauro who I had the pleasure of coaching back in 2008 and 2009 in Sicily.
Christian is one TOUGH, HARD HITTING player!
And, just like the Braves did last Saturday night, we need to . . .
BEAT THE KNIGHTS!
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