That's More Like It

Well, as some of you know - I was unable to attend our game Friday night against the Panthers of Collingswood. I had a lovely stomach virus which altered my plans. I am feeling much froggier now, thanks to all the well wishers and my true friends who called to enlighten me about Saturday's game being played on Bendorf/Narducci Memorial Field. How about that Wave. I said it in my post after we played them, they impressed me. Rizzo is the real deal and I see Audubon having a winning season. I'm aware that young Owens was out for the game (and maybe the season apparently) but I'm still having a hard time accepting that's the sole reason for the loss.

Anyway, congratulations to the green and gold. Party at the Mepri Hall all week! Or McGlone's (I think it's a different name now though). Anyway - I'm happy for them. I hope the injury to Owens isn't too serious and he's able to resume his track career.

More importantly - what's happening at Cwood. Weren't we tormenting their linebackers the last time we were there? Something about no-one had scored a point against them all year. Yea, until Paulsboro got off the bus. Weren't we losing at halftime and then Giordano and company got things turned around in the 2nd half. After some kind words from Coaches Howard and Simpson. You have to bear with me, after a certain point, all games start meshing together in my head and I can't make the distinction one from another. Details are not my strong point. I do vividly remember some Collingswood faithful last year spouting off about how they were going to start the season 3-0. Ignorant bliss. Their first three games were Paulsboro, WD and Woodbury - which translates to 0-3. I didn't hear really any chest thumping this preseason and I can see why now. 35-0 at the half is about as bad as it can get.

I have heard lots of names mentioned in this game such as the veteran Jerry Cosgrove recovering a fumble in the end zone for points. Nick Curl made his debut on the line and opened a massive hole that the RB darted through. Unfortunately there was a holding call on the play (away from Curl) but that doesn't change that fact that Nick is the man and did his job.

What also impressed me is that I heard from several people that Zach (the water boy) Greenwald really turned it on and took vocal leadership control. That's what I'm talking about. Who cares what grade he's in - that's his nature and his team mates respond. He obviously leads by example but we need him to stay in their faces. Make them accountable. I also heard that Cwood attempted to do the leg and hand slap that the fellas do when they're warming up - the beat - and our fellas did not take kindly to that. They should be offended - they should be mad and that should all be demonstrated on the field.

This week we finally have our first home opener at 11:00am against Haddon Heights. I refuse to worry about Heights. It'll be nice to watch a game on our own field. The Raider Nation plans to have a tent and tables set up within the complex - probably down by the scoreboard side - out of the way of the new stands construction. Hopefully it will be a big red tent so folks can find us easily. The first game will have a mixed bag of Raider Nation gear (members only), new gear ordered by Coach Howard (t-shirts, hoodies, gym bags, blankets, etc...) and then we have some retro gear - stuff Coach Howard has hiding in his garage. We'll have order forms and will try to make sure everyone gets exactly what they want. If you would like to volunteer any of your time to help the cause, please just ask any one of people at the tables and we'll be happy to find something for you to do.

Back to the Heights game. I thought they showed promise in the beginning but I'm starting to think that Lindenwold is just that bad. I think Coach Sellers was busy commenting on things in the papers before he had all his ducks in a row. My mom's Alma mater was Heights. I'm still trying to comprehend a gaggle of garnets and why we're supposed to fear them. I still have family associated with the program (a cousin plays) so maybe I'll have a mini reunion.

Don't forget to wear your Nation Shirts. Buy one if you don't have one. Give generously to the 50/50 pot - you might as well make someone else happy! Support the fellas. And if you're sick of hearing a few middle aged woman sing the fight song after every score - join in - we can use the help! Words will be available upon request.

See you at the game Saturday. I don't have my exact prediction yet but it's not going to be pretty.

For your reading pleasure:

http://www.nj.com/sports/gloucester/index.ssf?/base/sports-4/119044512859800.xml&coll=8

Two......

So let's pretend we didn't see the first half - except for Torre Polimeni's field goal. Thank you Torre.

As I watched Audubon walk down the field on the opening drive I thought....this is going to be a long afternoon. For the first five minutes, Paulsboro was back on its heels just trying to keep its balance. Did the fellas get a memo that the Wave was going to hand it to them or something. No offense, and you know I love them more than my luggage, but that was ugly.

And then (thank you Lord) came the second half. Now that's the Red Raiders I know and love. The defense, led by Zach "Attack" Greenwald (aka the Waterboy) finally put an end to Mr. Rizzo and company moving the ball. At one point I thought Zach was going to decapitate someone....excellent.

I can still hear the hit put on by Maurice "Boody" Lee. Both sides of the field let out an "oooooh". I wonder if the Audubon kid ever found his earpiece. Apparently Deshawn "Double D" Davis wanted a piece of the action today as well. Nice job 7.

The play of the day folks - "the catch". With time to throw courtesy of the O line, Gerald "Big Man" Hodges aired out a pass down the Paulsboro sideline with a gift tag on it. Darius "Squeeze" Quarles stayed in stride (we're talking long strides), reached out over and above at least two defenders, showed nothing but complete concentration and made one of the greatest receptions I have ever seen. Ever. Thats' when you wish high school fields had fanavision and replay. Quarles actually took a big hit after that catch too as he had the presence of mind to run but I'm not sure he even knows it.

There was no stopping Paulsboro after that. Even the Audubon sideline knew it. It was like they looked up and said, "Damned Paulsboro - how do they do this every year?"

Darren "I don't have a nickname for him yet" Carter also scored today. He's on a scoring streak of two games in a row. Hodges also scored on a QB run that Audubon just couldn't stop. Gerald took off and by the time the Wave knew it, he was already in their endzone.

It wasn't all pretty but I'll take it. The fellas have to be ready from the opening whistle and play all 48 minutes. No downs off, no "oh, we're the Red Raiders so we win" mentality.

Thanks to John Tracy for driving the bus today so our seniors could get to the game safely. We need our Gray Raiders in the stands, not on the road! There will also be a bus for the Collingswood game this week on Friday. I'm thinking it will be leaving our HS parking lot at 5-5:30pm. There's no cost and it's first come, first served. If you're interested, please email me or call me so I can let Mr. Rastelli know - he's the keeper of the list.

We are The Raider Nation!

One Down

It's a win and I'll take it. Could the opening game be any more nerve racking? And yet, I never felt like "uh oh, we're in trouble." Even with the score only 7-0 going into the fourth quarter.

My player of the game: Marcus "money" Gaines. Can that young man run and dip or what! He was even more exciting to watch on Comcast when I was all nice and relaxed. I understand that the coaches and players decided on a "fair" rotation prior to kickoff but me.....Marcus never comes out of the game.

Congratulations to Darren Carter on his first (and second) touchdowns of his career. I have had the pleasure of watching Carter play and develop since the midgets and boy has he made progress. And exactly when did he grow those extra five inches?

Speaking of tall, pretty soon Darius Quarles' game pants will be game shorts. Sheesh that kid is tall. At least 8'. I really hope once the fellas get into a rhythm, a few passes go his way. Gerald threw one nice one Quarles way but it looked like Darius hesitated on his route and the pass was overthrown. Just one of the things that needs to be fine tuned.

Gerald "Big man" Hodges had a nice season opener. I don't care what anybody says, that ball to Grimes in the endzone was on the money. It was definitely tipped at the last second but again, once Gary gets in the swing of things, that's six points. I'd like to see Gerald hang in there maybe a second or two longer before he makes the decision to tuck and run. Pass or option. Too many defenses are going to be looking for him carrying the ball.

Who knew Greenwald could punt? I can tell you for sure his mom didn't, his dad didn't, Uncle Bob didn't, Aunt Inky didn't and none of us on the 50 yard line did. We were pleasantly surprised - nice foot. Zach "attack" also had a good night on defense. He had that poor QB scrambling all over the place. If you were paying attention, #43 also made a couple of appearances at fullback. Nice job water boy.

The trip of the game was provided by Torre Polimeni. A Knight had the nerve to be tying to return a kickoff and Torre was not having it. Torre probably weighs as much as my cat but that didn't stop him from sacrificing himself to prevent the points.

Archie proved how quick he is and is on his way to having a good season. Both the offensive and defensive lines looked tough. David Doak, Denzel, Goetaski...just to name a few. They're big and they're quick. Coach Howard told me recently that good years are separated from great years as the line play goes. We'll see.

Sterling scored it's 14 points against the second team, contrary to popular forum opinion. But that's ok - the boys are getting experience and that's what makes Paulsboro, Paulsboro. Right ladies? I had to keep being reminded of that.

The Raider Nation was well represented - we're a good looking group. My heart felt thanks to Kathy Doak, Jill Grimes and Karolyn Adams for all the hard work they did at the game hocking shirts. I sat back and did nothing while these ladies worked their butts off (after they already hosted the spaghetti dinner). Nice to see all the Gray Raiders in attendance courtesy of the Boro of Paulsboro shuttle and the Raider Nation.

So, eleven more to go. Eleven more CONSECUTIVE to go. Next up, Audubon away at 1:00pm. The Wave had a bye this week so I have no clue what they look like. I'll reserve judgement since after all, I picked Lindenwold over Heights, Haddonfield over Twp and Collingswood over Woodbury. I did get Paulsboro over Sterling right, sheesh.

For your viewing pleasure, here is the link to the Courier Post pictures from Friday. Who is that wacky lady with the pompom?

http://cgi.courierpostonline.com/cgi-bin/vargallerydisp.cgi?dir=090707/FB_PAULSBORO_STERLING&curr=0

For your reading pleasure:

http://www.nj.com/gloucester/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-4/1189231348102870.xml&coll=8

http://www.courierpostonline.com/varsity

It's Finally Here!

Can you smell that? That's the smell of football season baby! Hallelujah! I am so ready to watch a game I can't stand it.

Tomorrow night, 7pm, Sterling. I will be there in my newly purchased "Raider Nation" t-shirt, along with many other members of the Nation.

I got to see one of our scrimmages this year and I wasn't all that thrilled about it but then, Paulsboro scrimmages are never thrilling. Glenn and his staff know what they're looking for and that's good enough for me. I also got to see (via film) the Sterling scrimmage against Holy Cross. I'm having a VERY hard time believing that Cross is ranked #1 in the Trend. Either they have blah scrimmages also or someone needs to resharpen their pencil and give that some more thought. Sterling didn't look bad but I'm not pacing the floor now either.

I always hate the first game of the season (as does someone else I know) because you have no clue what to expect. I know the talent exists and I have no doubts about the coaching. But will everything translate to the game field? Let's just get this one under our belts and then I'll resume my regular trask talk.

The Raider Nation had another productive meeting tonight and t-shirts are available for purchase, thanks to Karolyn Adams. Members only. Membership applications will be available at the game, as will the shirts. Just think how cool it would be if Glenn Howard looked up into our stands and around the fence and we were all wearing the same red shirt at our first home game (the 29th). I'm all choked up just thinking about it.

I will see you all tomorrow night. Somewhere I can hear Mrs Voge - get'em early Red! OK everybody, start chopping now.