Post by Free Agent Fan on Jan 29, 2007 17:14:27 GMT -5
Riverhawks Battle Themselves, Elements to Close Camp
1/27/07 JOHNSTOWN, PA – On Friday night the Johnstown Riverhawks Professional Indoor Football Team closed out their 2007 training camp with an inter-squad scrimmage at their indoor training facility in Indiana. The end couldn’t come soon enough for Head Coach Steven G. Folmar and his staff. “It has been a trying time for this organization, as camps usually are. But I am glad to finally see this camp come to end.” Training camp is usually a grueling time for football teams, players are forced to learn new systems, many while trying to maintain jobs and families, not to mention the physicality of everyday practices for two full weeks. But this pre-season has been especially harsh on the Riverhawks. Three days before training camp opened, the father of Riverhawks secondary coach Greg Cartrette suffered a stroke. Cartrett, understandably, has taken time away from the game and probably will not return to the Riverhawks this season. Weather also has proved a spoiler for the Riverhawks, resulting in two cancelled practices during camp. The problems culminated with Special Teams Coordinator and line coach Wayne Waugh being involved in a one car accident Wednesday night due to the weather. Both Waugh and his 11-year old son, Patrick, were on their way to the Hawks practice facility when they hit an ice patch and rolled their truck. The Waugh’s were able to walk away from the accident with just minor aches and pains but it would make one almost think that Mother Nature is a Canton fan. “Some things have happened these past couple weeks that have reminded everyone that football is secondary behind family. It’s just as a Head Coach you wish they didn’t happen first of all, and secondly you just wish for better timing, if there is such a thing. “ Despite the external problems, the Riverhawks appear to be coming together as a team. Friday night’s practice showed talent on both sides of the ball for the Hawks, with emotion and intensity at full setting. The offense is paced by two young guns at quarterback. Carnegie Mellon’s Jarrod Highberger, who was a standout at Blairsville, and Weyland Davis, who spent some time with the Riverhawks last year. “At this time, as I have explained to the guys, both guys have had good camps but I am still not ready to name a starter. I do know that I will be comfortable with either one of them going into the season. The offense put on a show as offensive specialist Quenteen Robinson trumpeted his return to the Riverhawks with a deep touchdown pass from Davis, as well as a deep ball to returning receiver Terrence Hudson. Mike Caputo, the record breaking receiver from St. Francis, also had a great touchdown on a ball he caught off the wall, which is legal in indoor football. Higherberger added another touchdown on a scramble into the endzone, where he took on a Hawks defensive back head on to score. The defense was paced by defensive specialist Trent Jones, another returnee from last year’s squad who picked off three passes, returning two for touchdowns. Fullback/Linebacker Mike Feeney also helped lead the defense, spending a lot of time in the offensive backfield, and letting them know about it. “Just by looks alone, people might think that the offense is lagging behind our defense, but I don’t think that is the case.” Said Coach Folmar, “Early on, defense can be played off of emotion while right now we have a lot of offensive guys in there still thinking about what they have to do instead of just doing it. We also had a lot of different groups working in and out during the scrimmage. Once we get our guys in that we know are going to be in there I think we will be just fine.” The Riverhawks made final cuts on Saturday and will begin preparations for the home opener beginning with practice Monday at the White Township Recreation Complex from 10pm until 12am, Tuesday from 9:30pm until 11:30pm, Wednesday from 10pm until 12am, and Thursday from 9:30pm until 11pm. Practices are open to the public and times are subject to change.The Johnstown Riverhawks, a proud member of the American Indoor Football Association will kick off the 2007 season on February 2, 2007, at the War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Riverhawks will open up against the defending champion Canton Legends and need your support! For information on season tickets, sponsorships, or information on how to become a player, check out the new website or call the Riverhawks at (814) 361-3460 now!
1/27/07 JOHNSTOWN, PA – On Friday night the Johnstown Riverhawks Professional Indoor Football Team closed out their 2007 training camp with an inter-squad scrimmage at their indoor training facility in Indiana. The end couldn’t come soon enough for Head Coach Steven G. Folmar and his staff. “It has been a trying time for this organization, as camps usually are. But I am glad to finally see this camp come to end.” Training camp is usually a grueling time for football teams, players are forced to learn new systems, many while trying to maintain jobs and families, not to mention the physicality of everyday practices for two full weeks. But this pre-season has been especially harsh on the Riverhawks. Three days before training camp opened, the father of Riverhawks secondary coach Greg Cartrette suffered a stroke. Cartrett, understandably, has taken time away from the game and probably will not return to the Riverhawks this season. Weather also has proved a spoiler for the Riverhawks, resulting in two cancelled practices during camp. The problems culminated with Special Teams Coordinator and line coach Wayne Waugh being involved in a one car accident Wednesday night due to the weather. Both Waugh and his 11-year old son, Patrick, were on their way to the Hawks practice facility when they hit an ice patch and rolled their truck. The Waugh’s were able to walk away from the accident with just minor aches and pains but it would make one almost think that Mother Nature is a Canton fan. “Some things have happened these past couple weeks that have reminded everyone that football is secondary behind family. It’s just as a Head Coach you wish they didn’t happen first of all, and secondly you just wish for better timing, if there is such a thing. “ Despite the external problems, the Riverhawks appear to be coming together as a team. Friday night’s practice showed talent on both sides of the ball for the Hawks, with emotion and intensity at full setting. The offense is paced by two young guns at quarterback. Carnegie Mellon’s Jarrod Highberger, who was a standout at Blairsville, and Weyland Davis, who spent some time with the Riverhawks last year. “At this time, as I have explained to the guys, both guys have had good camps but I am still not ready to name a starter. I do know that I will be comfortable with either one of them going into the season. The offense put on a show as offensive specialist Quenteen Robinson trumpeted his return to the Riverhawks with a deep touchdown pass from Davis, as well as a deep ball to returning receiver Terrence Hudson. Mike Caputo, the record breaking receiver from St. Francis, also had a great touchdown on a ball he caught off the wall, which is legal in indoor football. Higherberger added another touchdown on a scramble into the endzone, where he took on a Hawks defensive back head on to score. The defense was paced by defensive specialist Trent Jones, another returnee from last year’s squad who picked off three passes, returning two for touchdowns. Fullback/Linebacker Mike Feeney also helped lead the defense, spending a lot of time in the offensive backfield, and letting them know about it. “Just by looks alone, people might think that the offense is lagging behind our defense, but I don’t think that is the case.” Said Coach Folmar, “Early on, defense can be played off of emotion while right now we have a lot of offensive guys in there still thinking about what they have to do instead of just doing it. We also had a lot of different groups working in and out during the scrimmage. Once we get our guys in that we know are going to be in there I think we will be just fine.” The Riverhawks made final cuts on Saturday and will begin preparations for the home opener beginning with practice Monday at the White Township Recreation Complex from 10pm until 12am, Tuesday from 9:30pm until 11:30pm, Wednesday from 10pm until 12am, and Thursday from 9:30pm until 11pm. Practices are open to the public and times are subject to change.The Johnstown Riverhawks, a proud member of the American Indoor Football Association will kick off the 2007 season on February 2, 2007, at the War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Riverhawks will open up against the defending champion Canton Legends and need your support! For information on season tickets, sponsorships, or information on how to become a player, check out the new website or call the Riverhawks at (814) 361-3460 now!