A new semi-pro football team will look to take the field this summer as the Electric City Chargers held their inaugural press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Scranton Cultural Center.
The Chargers, who will be coached by former Scranton Eagles mentor Mike Arcure, have applied to become members of the Colonial Football Alliance, a 12-team league with franchises based in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.
“We’re getting into a league that has good moral standards and holds their teams in high regard,” team president Tom Conserette said. “We’re a whole new organization looking to build a quality team and an identity for ourselves.”
The Chargers are seeking permission to use Scranton Memorial Stadium as their home field. Last season, the NEPA Miners, who played in the North American Football League, have already been already granted permission to use Memorial Stadium as their home field this season. Last season, both the Eagles of the Empire Football League and the Miners played their home games at Scranton Memorial Stadium. The Eagles have taken a leave of absence from the EFL for 2008 while the Miners have moved to the Regional American Football League.
“There were some talented players on the Eagles last season,” Arcure said. “Many of them came to me and said that they wanted to play this year. We had a meeting a few weeks ago and about 30 players signed up at that time.”
Former Honesdale and Ursinus College quarterback Ted Wallingford, former Valley View standout Phil Ross and Pittston Area products Cory Champi and Paul Shanaman are expected to play for the Chargers.
“We’re excited. I’m chomping at the bit,” Wallingford said. “I’m hoping that we build up fan support for the team.”
According to Arcure, each player will be responsible to perform 15 to 20 hours of community service.
“We’re a non-profit organization,” Shanaman said. “We will be getting involved with a lot of community activities, charitable events, getting involved in junior programs and youth clinics.”
The Chargers expect to hear within the next 10 days about their status in the CFA and from the Scranton School Board in regard to the use of Memorial Stadium.
Contact the writer: mcoons@timesshamrock.com
Poor attendance at practice was the reason the coaching staff declined to participate in the playoffs. However, the players said they wanted to play so between me, Sam Holmes Sr., Joe Harvey, Pat Caine, and Gary Stone we put togther a game plan and practice schedule and went out there to compete.
To our surprise, when hearing of the staffs decision, the players renewed their commitiment to one another and the organization. It's amazing but our numbers at practice nearly doubled and I couldn't be more proud of the way we responded. Our players have more heart than anyone could know. They came together and did an admirable job. I am so proud of them! Both Joe Harvey and Pat Caine deserve a lot of credit for their leadership. These guys are leaders that simply won't quit.
The sideline demeanor was clearly the best it's been in our 23 game history and the defense gave up less points in this contest then we ever did against the explosive offense of the Red Bulls.
The game started with a ton of emotion and was scoreless in the first quarter. The second quarter started with a 106 yard punt return for a touchdown, by our electrifying return specialist Lokie Howell.
Our defense had two take aways in the first half, but, as it has been all year our offense simply could not get much going. We scrapped the Wing T sets and spread out the field. While there were receivers open all over the field and the offensive line protected pretty well, Dando just couldn't get in a rythm. Dando threw two interceptions.
Following our first turnover, Ohio scored quickly on a 5 play drive that featured strong off tackle running plays. On this particular series we gave Jack Callahan a break and had to go to our third string linebacker... He missed a couple of tackles on the drive, but that's what happens in the course of a 60 minute ball game.
They missed the extra point and we closed the first half with a 7-6 lead.
We had terrible field position the entire second half. They had 5 or so possessions that started inside their own 50 yard line. Each one resulted in a punt. The third quarter was scoreless.
It wasn't until 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter that the Red Bulls started from their own 30 after a muffed punt and scored on a 5 yard pass play. Berretta Chavis went down with a shoulder injury and Gary Stone was just short of breaking up the play. They made a 2 point conversion on a controversial play. Stone had tremendous position and broke up the conversion. They called interference and the Bulls converted on a qb sneek.
Following a 40 yard kick return by Stone, we mounted a 6 minute drive that ended with an interception at the 10 yard line. They ran out the clock. Game over.
Jack Callahan played both ways and was my Player of the Game. He played fullback line backer and was outstanding.
Tyree Dessau was amazing... he hurt his shoulder early in the game and refused to come out. This guy is a real warrior and deserves all the respect in the world.
Sam Holmes Jr is clearly a Blue Chip Division 1 grade and perhaps a pro grade player. He's the fastest/hardest hitting guy on every field that we've played on.
Pat Caine is Pat Caine and that's all that needs to be said about him. He's a winner and a true professional.
Gary Stone was a two way player and did a great job.
The defensive line dominated all night and I remember maybe 4 completed passes on our secondary.
14 of our players were nominated as NAFL all stars and we're invited to play in multiple "Bowl" games this winter in locations such as Las Vegas, Miami and Houston Texas.
We are reopening discussion with the NCASD to reach an agreement for 2008 and beyond.
The NAFL has over 5,000 players nationwide with 600 or so nominated as All Stars.
We will be playing for years to come and look forward to building upon all of the success of our first two years.
At the end of the day, we've put together a group of guys who will never give up, are winners in the truest sense and everyone in our community should be proud of the way they represent the New Castle name. They are champions.
Thank you and God Bless for all of the support in 2007! I'll keep you informed of developments as things progress.
