Sunday, February 3, 2019
What a BEAUTIFUL day for an American football scrimmage in Verona, Italy!
It was time for our first of three pre-season scrimmages, this one against our fellow DII opponents, the Verona Mastini who were 6-4 in 2018.
It was our turn to go to Verona after having hosted this scrimmage last year.
It was a good thing as Skorpion Field
was still under a foot of snow
when we left at 8:00 a.m.!
The Skorpions were primed and
ready for the three hour bus ride
to the mythical hometown of
Romeo and Juliet
Our hosts dis a great job today
making us feel welcomed
No snow in Verona but on their
artificial turf made for soccer, a.k.a.
calcio in Italy, one does not paint lines
Instead the lines are made of meticulously laid tape.
The funkiest, oldest of old school
Skorpion logos
The Mastini coach going over the rules
and doing some needed tone setting
before the scrimmage with both squads
Our goal today was simple, test all of our basic plays, make sure that everyone get significant playing time so that we can evaluate them on video and compete.
I was worried as four key starters were missing today, our QB, two Offensive Lineman and a Defensive End.
Others would just have to step up during our 100+ play scrimmage.
We started out on Defense
I was pleased with our Defensive
effort and depth all day long
The Counter play has a chance
for us this time
The Mastini Offensive Tackle was
HUGE!!!
Passing on the Goal Line
Our QB here is 16 year old Mathias Masini who performed quite well all things considered.
Our "emergency" QB Jack Micheli did a good job as well. Normally he is a Strong Safety for us.
Coming out from the partially
obliterated Goal Line on this drive
The BIG kid looks hungry,
I'm concerned for our DE
Tomas Pedotti's life
The Pit
There was a ton of great competition today and I think that both teams were pleased with their results.
I know that I was pleasantly surprised by our overall efforts at this early stage of the season.
We will have a second scrimmage, this time at home if the snow ever melts, against the Lugano Rebels who, in 2018, were the Swiss DIII playoff finalists.
One of the great things about EuroBall is the many excellent relationships that are made during our competitions.
With Verona DC Christian Costanzo
Christian played for the Catania Elephants in 2012 when they were Italy's DI finalists. That Italian Super Bowl was played in Varese and Laurie and I were in attendance as we were living in nearby Switzerland that year while coaching the Thun Tigers.
I coached the Elephants in 2008 and 2009.
He did a good job today with his team.
With the BIG FELLA himself,
Andrea Spadoni
Andrea is Italian but spent a year studying abroad in a South Carolina high school where his American football talents led to a career playing at DIII Buffalo State University in New York.
Mastini staff member Stefano Samoa
Stefano has volunteered to referee our scrimmages each of the last two seasons and has done a splendid job both times.
For my money, he is the best referee in DII Italy.
After our players showered, changed and had something to eat and drink in the Mastini's snack bar, we headed home.
Our recliner bus, or Pullman as they are
called in Italy, broke down about an hour
after we departed Verona but at least
we were able to limp into a rest stop
What to do?
LB Ivan "Swito" Raso
TO THE RESCUE!
He knows just enough about engines to fix the problem and get us home after only 30 minutes of tinkering.
Swito was definitely our team MVP today!
Later this evening we will reunite at the BellaVita Café in Varese to watch Super Bowl LIII between the Rams and Patriots. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 a.m. Monday, February 4th, Central European Time.
I think that I will be largely unproductive on Monday.
Go Rams GO!
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