Led by another suffocating performance by the Defense and the Offense lighting up the scoreboard, the Lions improved their record to 5-1 with a 42-0 rout of the NY Venom. The Offense scored on their first possession of the game and never looked back as the Defense continued to dominate, holding the Venom to -3 yards of total offense for their third consecutive shutout. The Lions are off this weekend for the Labor Day Holiday and return to action on September 11th vs the defending Keystone Conference champion Northeast (PA) Eagles in Philadelphia, PA.
Sponsors
The Lions are a nonprofit organization using football as a means to reach members of different social, racial, and economic backgrounds and banding together, in a family atmosphere, to learn to overcome adversities both on and off the football field. To maintain, develop and support genuine values committed to teamwork. The New Jersey Lions are committed in this vision of providing an elite community outreach program, having already worked with programs such as The Old Bridge Pop Warner, Monmouth Medical Children's Cancer Center, and the Ronald McDonald House of Long Branch.
The New Jersey Lions were found in 2008 by brothers Jeffery and Paul Castillo. Growing up in a football town like Middletown, NJ, they had a passionfor the game of football and wanted to build an organization the old fashioned way, through dedication, hard work, and commitment. They decided to start the New Jersey Lions as a way to have a team with the players being the most valuable asset. Once the word got out that the Castillos were forming the Lions, former teammates jumped on board.
The Lions joined the Regional American Football League (RAFL) for their inaugural season in 2008. The Lions, to compete, had to come out strong their first season. They played some good teams during the regular season and were tied with the NJ Warriors for first place going into the last game of the regular season. Unfortunately, the Lions lost the game and the NJ Division Championship. The Lions, however, did qualify for the RAFL playoffs with a 5-5 record. The Lions had to play the NY Predators, Metro SouthDivision Champions, and owners of a perfect 10-0 regular season record. After trailing 21-0, 27-7, and 34-7 through out the first half of the game, the Lions roared back before finally losing on an unsuccessful two point conversion 34-33. Even though the Lions lost that game, it was a statement game putting the rest of Minor League football on notice that the Lions are a legitimate organization.
With the bitter taste of that play-off game fresh in mind, the Lions Front Office began constructing the 2009 NJ Lions with one purpose in mind…to win theRAFL Championship. The team lost players to retirement and, more importantly, players not fitting the ideals of the NJ Lions. A bunch of new, young faces were meshed together with returning veterans to form what was to be a dominant team. The NJ Lions opened the 2009 season with a huge win against pre-season favorite to win the NJ Division, NJ Spartans 35-0. The Lions rolled for the rest of the season. The offense led the league in points scored, scoring 480 points (48.0/game), never scoring less than 33 points in any game, including an 85-0 win against the NY Stallions. The defense, not to be outdone, was second in the league in scoring defense, allowing only 68 points (6.8/game). The defense allowed more than 10 points only twice all regular season and pitched 5 shutouts. The Lions marched into the playoffs winning the first Division Championship in team history, an undefeated 10-0 regular season, and the #1 overall seed in the RAFL Playoffs.
In the playoffs, the Lions first ever home playoff game was against the 2007 RAFL and National Champion, Prince William (Va.) Monarchs. Led by a strong running game and solid defensive effort, the Lions beat the Monarchs 30-13. In the second round, the Lions faced a familiar foe in the NJ Wolves. In a defensive war, the Lions pulled out an incredible 15-12 win with a 105 yard interception return for the game winning touchdown. In the semi-finals, the Lions faced the Virginia Kings and their explosive offense. The Lions were able to shut the offense down, but a two point conversion late in the 4th quarter proved to be the difference in a 22-21 loss for the Lions.
Although the loss was heartbreaking, it does not negate the success the second year NJ Lions had in 2009….including pre-, regular, and post-season, the Lions finished 14-1.
The Lions are not like most Minor League Football teams. This team is comprised of many players from many different social, racial, and economic backgrounds. However, the Lions banded together as a family and dealt with all the adversities the season brought on. This organization prides itself on being known as a classy, well coached, well disciplined team that comes to play every play of every game.
The early success of the organization has allowed it to be more selective in its player selection. Coming into the 2010 season, the Lions are looking for not only excellent football players, but for players of high character, commitment, and honor. While most teams will cheat their integrity to achieve success, the Lions believe that success can be reached through hard work, commitment, and dedication. The ownership of the NJ Lions is from the old school of thinking….no one is bigger than the team and the team together, not individually, will succeed.
All players who are interested in joining the NJ Lions are, from the door, being made aware of one thing. The only thing more important than winning in this organization is winning the RIGHT WAY. The Lions are committed on being one of the premier teams in the country, on and off the field.
After a successful 5-5 first season with a playoff loss, the New Jersey Lions entered the 2009 season looking to take another step towards being among the elite teams in Semi- Pro Football. Mission accomplished! The Lions finished the regular season 10-0 outscoring their opponents 480-68 and staked claim to the NJ Division Championship and overall top seed in the RAFL playoffs. After two tough games against the Prince William Monarchs and long time rival NJ Wolves, the Lions were upset by a good Virginia Kings team 22-21 in the semifinals. With that loss fresh in mind, the Lions front office wasted no time in making changes on and off the field to further improve the franchise.
For starters, the Lions have a new home. After spending everyday of the first two seasons at Old Bridge Pop Warner Field, they will now call that just their training facility. They are moving all home games at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel, NJ. The added seating capacity, state of the art playing surface, and night time lights became an attractive venue for the Lions to call home on Game Day.
The coaching staff stays mainly intact from last season. Paul Castillo, Jr. is the Head Coach. In two seasons, Coach Castillo has compiled an impressive 21-7 overall record as the undisputed leader of the Lions. Mahaki Burns, former All-State Standout at Middletown North (NJ) HS, once again leads the high octane Offense, while Semi-Pro long time fixture and respected coach, Edd Gladdney will take over the defense and Linebackers. Tom Romano, last year’s Defensive Coordinator, will stay on as a Defensive Advisor. Mike Proccacino will assist with the Running Backs as well as game day coordination. Coach Vinnie Papa will be in charge of the Offensive Line in his first year of coaching. Defensively, the Secondary will be coached by Art Ziegler. Coach Ziegler was the Defensive Coordinator for the NJ Buccaneers during their 2009 RAFL and National Championships runs. He will be assisted by up and coming second year coach Jeff Gregoire. The defensive line will be coached for the second straight season by Juan DePena with the assistance of Paul “Pop” Castillo, Sr.
On offense, the Lions are led by second year QB Matt Mariano. As a rookie, Mariano led the offense with his arm and his feet, accounting for 25 combined TD’s while only throwing 2 INT’s. Behind Mariano, is a stable of running backs. Both of last season’s starters are back in Tarique Pullen and Kenny Calicchio. Added to a running game that accounted for 174.5 yds/gm and 26 TD’s is the 2009 RAFL rushing champion and semi-pro veteran Raheem Ridley. The Lions love to run the football and with three top level runners, all with different styles, the Lions may chew up yardage and possession clock this season.
The receiving corps is back mostly intact from last season, led by veteran receiver Dan Duff (42 rec., 461yds. 9 TD’S). Duff has a knack to make big plays in big moments. He is joined by returning vets Ron Tefteller, Frank Raymond, Dan Gawronski, and Co-Captain Tom Zirino. The Lions have added the return of WR/TE Otis Hunt, after a one year leave of absence, and rookie speedster WR Eddie Hull to an already dangerous group of pass catchers. Quarterback turned Tight End Marc Taylor adds another passing option for Mariano.
The Offensive Line is led by Co-Captain Mike Savoye and is a veteran group. Manny Batista, Frank DiFranco, and Lou Gregoire are talented vets while newcomers Travis Barker, Sean Brand, and Corey Pearson add to the talent pool.
The Defense, which ranked second in the RAFL last season, has made some major improvements to an already stellar squad. Two starters from the 2008 season are back after one year sabbaticals, Co-Captain LB Raul Rivera and 2008 Defensive MVP FS Mike Curren.The Defensive Line is led by Co-Captain NT Wayne Niedermeier. Neidermeier when teamed with DT Rob Allen in the middle, form one of the most ferocious interior tandems in the league. Newcomer Jere Booker, last season with the Virginia Beach Rhinos, will pair with returning vets Rob DeMarco and Dan Breuer to create a solid pass rush.
The Linebackers (as well as the defense) are undoubtedly led by Co-Captain MLB Jeff Castillo. Castillo’s cat-like instincts flanked by Rivera’s playmaking ability and SLB Paul Keator’s knock out power will cause many a headache for ball carriers and coaches. The Linebacking Corp is loaded with young talented players like Jon Soltis, A.J. Love, and Rob Ayala who can step up if the vets get down. The secondary has the most improvement from last season. The returning starters at Cornerbacks, Quadir Little and Teddy Wilson, were #1 and #3 in the league last season in interceptions. With the return of Curren and the addition of former Montclair State standout SS Taylor Bonner, and vet Chris Johnson, the secondary has the promise to be very much improved from last season.
The Lions have a luxury that few Semi-Pro teams have…they have pure Kicking Specialists. Rookie Ryan Dowgin, who kicked collegiately at Colgate, will handle the Kick-offs, Extra Points, and Field Goals while strong legged Patrick Ross will be pinning offenses deep in their own territory with his punts.
Not to be left out, the Lions have made some additions to the roster that will prove to be profitable this season and beyond. Among those are fleet footed, athletic QB Mohammad Abdullah, rugged DT Jonathan Muniz, bruising FB Eric Parks, mammoth OL Sean Brand, and athletic DB’s Daniel Bullock and Tyree Horne.
Fan of the week, Game 4
Our week 2 fan of the week came prepared with her home made rattles sporting the colors of orange and black.....