Saturday, April 25, 2009
Bolzano Giants (4-1)
at
Catania Elephants (0-4)
The weather cooperated giving us what at home we would call a "beautiful Fall day", unfortunately it is Spring.
The big news of the day was that the Giants would be without their incredible tailback Reggie Greene who has a severly pulled hamstring and could be out for several games. Unfortunately for the Elephants, the Giants defense did suit up for the game.
Laurie trying to drum up support for a new Cronies Europe!
Optimism ran high for the Elephants as the 2:30 kickoff time approached.
"Captains Out!"
Elephant Supporters from nearby
U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella
Laurie Says: Thanks to my new friends who are only at Signella for a few weeks this depl0yment for their support of the Elefanti, and especially to Erik from Jacksonville, Florida (second from the right) for the burger and Bud Lites!
Game action from afar
THE GAME
FIRST QUARTER:
Catania receives the opening kickoff and completes a pass on the first play of the game, but the receiver is stripped of the ball and the Giants recover deep in Catania territory.
Bolzano ends their short drive with a 1 yard QB sneak to take a 7-0 lead.
The Elephants are forced to punt but the snap sails over our punter's head. He falls on the ball and the Giants once again have great field position.
The Giants new tailback scores from 2 yards out to give Bolzano a 14-0 advantage.
Catania punts.
Bolzano punts to end the First Quarter still leading 14-0.
SECOND QUARTER:
The Elephants get on the board with a 3 yard pass from Arturo Sanchez to Taber LeMarr. Andrea Mannino adds the PAT and Catania cuts Bolzano's lead to 14-7.
The Giants respond with a long drive ending in a 2 yard TD pass to extend their lead to 21-7.
The Elephants drive down the field with great efficiency setting up a third and goal at the 4 yard line. An option pitch is batted to the ground by the Giants' defensive end and returned 90 yards for a Bolzano TD. Giants now lead 28-7.
Catania turns the ball over on downs.
Bolzano's drive ends when Larry Atkinson makes a spectacular leaping interception near the Catania goal line.
The Bolzano cornerback picks off a Catania hitch pass and returns it 10 yards for a Giants TD. Bolzano is starting to go to cruise control leading 34-7 after missing the PAT.
The Elephants try to rally through the air again but a screen pass is intercepted by Giants star lineman Edwin Reed who returns it 20 yards for another Giants TD. The Giants now lead 41-7.
Catania runs out the clock trailing 41-7 at the half.
THIRD QUARTER:
Bolzano is forced to punt.
An Elephant pass is picked off again and returned 30 yards for Bolzano's fourth consecutive defensive TD of the game, Giants lead is now 48-7.
Catania punts.
Bolzano punts.
Catania turns the ball over on downs.
Bolzano's punter drops the snap and is smothered by linebacker Roberto Conti for a safety, Giants are now ahead 48-9.
Catania turns the ball over on our first play via a fumble as the Third Quarter ends with the Giants in command 48-9.
FOURTH QUARTER:
Bolzano makes a time consuming drive that ends with a 15 yard TD pass. With time running out in the game, now leading by only 45 points and knowing that the Las Vegas line had favored the Giants by 46 1/2 point at kickoff, Bolzano decides to go for the two point conversion to "beat the spread" with a called fake PAT kick. The Elephants pressure the holder who is trying to pass and the ball falls to the ground. In Nevada casinos, thousands of bettors who took the overs groan as they see their hard earned wages starting to slip away. Giants lead 54-9.
Catania punts.
Bolzano runs a couple of plays to end the game.
Final Score
Bolzano (5-1) 54 - Catania (0-5) 9
Despite the long afternoon, our cheerleaders still love us.
SMALL WORLD CONTINUED: After the game we spoke with the Giants DE Edwin Reed who is a nice guy off the field and, for the last two years in our three games against the Giants, has been a royal pain in the rear end on the field. He can flat out play!
As it turns out he played his college football in the San Fernando Valley at Cal State Northridge which has since dropped football. At Lancaster, California's Highland High School he played for one of my favorite guys and a legend in the coaching fraternity, Linn "Bearcat" Parker.
In a situation like this, their is only one thing to do to battle the depression as the losses mount...
MANGIA, MANGIA, MANGIA!
We drove into Aci Castello to eat a pizza forgetting the Prime Directive:
"Ristoranti do not open for dinner until 7:30 p.m. at the earliest!"
We found a Tavola Calda that we like open so we had something to drink, a small hot dish and a little dessert. I was still depressed so we searched out to find another place for a pizzeria.
Y2K???
As we roamed the streets in search of sustenance, we ran into the childrens amusement center set up at this time of year in the piazza near Aci Castello's Norman Castle. I understand that the owner got a GREAT deal on these decorative banners.
Love on a scooter/motorcycle will NEVER be out of style!
Protect that "Love Nest" at all costs!
What weighs more, this Vespa or the lock and chain protecting it from the Gypsies?
Grassroots Calcio
While we waited 20 minutes for the pizzeria to open we waited in the piazza across the way to witness calcio at its finest. About four games were going on at the same time with eight different imaginary "goals" being established at strategic parts of the piazza.
One lady, in her 50's I would guess, decided to take the shorter diagonal route across the piazza rather than going around all the hubbub. Predictably she got hit in the head by one of the ball for her efforts. She was angry but for goodness sake what was she thinking?
The Pizzeria La Piazzetta finally opened its doors at 7:30 p.m. after tempting us with some incredible aromas for nearly a half hour. We were greeted by our waitress, the delightful Irma, and proceeded to devour an Aci pizza which is designed with a carnivore in mind! Add a little vino rosso and some friendly conversation with Laurie, Paul and Denver to the mix and life seems a little brighter.
"Smile Not To Cry"
4 comments:
George,
thanks for the post.
i laughed loudly when i read about the middle ages lady walkin throught the piazza ang gettin hit in the head.
I could not stop laughin while i was picturin the scene in my head.
Godd soul healing.
Thank you!
Loved reading through your Coaching for Pizza! I was shocked to see my former HS Coaches name (Linn "Bearcat" Parker, Kingman High School, AZ)in your writings. My favorite coach ever without a doubt! Any idea how I might contact him?
Thanks again for the great insight into Italian f-ball.
PP
I sent an email, but dont know if went through. I was in H.S. in Kingman when Coach Parker was there. He was just awesome. I was more of a motorcycle racer than an athlete although i did play FB my Junior year. He was also my PE coach for the 2 years he was there. He was so funny but didn't brook much nonsense. Its been 40+ years since I saw him last, but I loved the man. He meant so much to me, he inspired me when I needed it the most. I assure you Coach
Parker has had a lasting impact on my life. I miss him so much. Thanks Craig.
BTW I am pretty sure I know who PP is. Him & my bro were a pretty effective QB & WR tandem.
I saw Coach Parker at a football clinic in Corona, CA yesterday. He was as funny, alive and outgoing as always. Contact me if you would like the Bearcat's current contact information.
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