Stallion News

by LaToya Forrester & J. Irving

The Alliance Football League has expanded adding local area teams forming the Lake Michigan Division. The local teams will mean less travel and local rivalries. The league is in the process of major expansion. Check the league website for more info.

"It’s About Business" - Roy Jones and Mike "Taker" Maksimik are all about the business. Both have an entrepreneurial spirit and are doing very well in their respective businesses. Roy Jones has a janitorial business that is responsible for simply "keeping things clean". Centered in the south suburbs, Roy has been in business for a number of years and doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Taker, as we affectionately know the computer king of west suburbs, is technologically savvy, reasonably priced, and a great humanitarian. Taker is one of the Stallion shining stars. He uses a portion of his financial gains from his highly respected and very profitable business to provide the team during each game and community event with snacks, water and always a helping hand. Taker has a lucrative computer business that specializes in hardware repair, software updates, server upgrades and management and various computer resources. He has clients ranging from small businesses to corporate moguls, but his personality and generous heart allows him to be loved by all. Our Stallions today, but leaders of the business world tomorrow.

Stallion Fever

Just when you thought the Stallions couldn’t top what they have already done to bring excitement to Minor League Football, they have struck again. The Bulls have the “Lovabulls”, The Cowboys have the “Cowgirls”……….And Now…………………..The Stallions have the “Fever”. That’s right ladies and gents, the Stallions welcome the “Fever” to the family. You have not seen halftime like you will see this year. Some teams just have halftime, but this year at Stallion games you will witness “Fevertime”. So help us in welcoming the ladies that will represent the 2010 Stallion “Fever”:

The Stallions have signed three new coaches and an assistant GM.  12/29/07

Asst. GM/Director of player personnel: Reggie Collins.Asst. Off. Coordinator/QB and OL Coach: John Laney.Asst. Def. Coordinator/DL Coach: Tarshma Jackson. TE/WR and Conditioning Coach: Ashley Marshal

“With the addition of these semi-pro veterans, we will be in a prime position to make some serious noise in 2008.” states Stallion coach John Irving.  “I am confident that we will be better in every aspect of the game because our new staff. 
We have a few candidates for our other openings. I hope to have those positions filled in the very near future.”

Camp Stallion Report  by Vanessa Vega
Anyone who ever played tackle football knows what those dreaded words mean: Two-a-days, in the broiling summer sun, with a teammate kicking your butt while the coach chews you out.  Luckily the Stallions of Country Club Hills didn’t have to battle those elements for their first practice of 2008.

“Camp Stallion” opened on Sunday, January 13th at the Ho-Chunk Sport Center in Lynwood, IL.  The Ho-Chunk Sports and Expo Center is a year round multi
purpose activity center located in the heart of the south suburbs of Chicago.  This center is an indoor sports venue boasting five separate playing fields.

Close to 50 new and returning players met at 5:30 pm to practice skills and drills.  “Watching them run routes was like listening to old Jimi Hendrix records -- explosive, unpredictable and exciting”, said Team Manager Vanessa Vega.  Returning Stallion Captains, Fred Berry, Keevin Jones, Baque Petty, Jr., and Mike Norwood were hoping to find some playmakers out there.  “ It felt good to see guys and get back in the swing of things.  If we keep this momentum going you can expect great things from the Stallions in 2008”, said Keevin Jones.

The 2008 season is going to be a turning point for the Stallions.  Great emphasis has been put on finding new talent and good team members. It is equally important to have good team members as it is to have good players. “A guy that is dedicated and loyal to the team is far more valuable to me than an "All World" player that shows up only at game time”, said Head Coach John Irving. This is the philosophy of the coaching staff this year, and we are sure it will pay off for us.

“Camp Stallion” opened on Sunday, January 13th at the Ho-Chunk Sport Center in Lynwood, IL.
 Done Deal
After more than a week of negotiating and navigating red tape the Stallions sign WR/KR DeJuan “Magic” Jones and DE Jonathan Jones for the 2008 season. The two players come to the team after a brief stint with the upstart Chicago Cougars. The addition of Jones (Magic) gives the Stallions potentially the most explosive offensive unit in the entire GMFL. 
“He (Magic) is a proven player at this level”, states Stallion Head Coach John Irving. “We are looking forward to seeing him in the Stallion Scarlet and White.” 
The aerial attack is going to be a thing of beauty for the Country Club Hills team this year. Magic is also lethal as a kick and punt-returner.  “He gives us so many options” Says Stallion OC Barry Buford, “With his talent, we can get him the ball anywhere on the field and he is a threat to score.”

It is a reunion of sorts with Jones and Jones.  Stallion QB Darnell Jones played with Magic for years in the late 90’s with the Cook County Punishers. In addition QB Willie Ross also was a player on that same Punisher team.

An already potent defense was made stronger with the addition of a relentless pass rusher. Jonathan Jones (JJ) brings experience and confident swagger to the front four of the Stallions.

Whether on offense or defense, it is going to be hard to keep up with the Jones’. 
 The Stallions of Country Club Hills 2-0! A fourth quarter comeback put the Stallions ahead of the #4 nationally ranked Twin City Dawgs. Brandon Jewitt Once again threw for two touchdowns. The first was a 47 yds going to WR Lemond Hudson to start the scoring on the day. The next was to Magic Jones for 31 yds. The scoring was capped off on defense by FS Michael Phyfier. Phyfe picked off the Dawgs QB and returned the pass for 64 yards and the final TD.
The defense was led by inside LB Kevin Idewu. He had 7 tackles, 3 asst. a sack and one pass defended. LB Keevin Jones tallied 5 solo tackles,  three asst. and a sack. Third year CB Michael “Bullet” Calhoun had a drive killing INT to fend off a Dawg drive. CB Martel Taylor also came up big with three tackles and an INT.  DE Demorris Enoch, Jonathan Jones and TJ Lawson also had strong showings. The defense pretty much held the Dawgs in check for the most of the game. 
The final score was Dawgs 7, Stallions 20. Check back soon for updates for this weekends game.

Racine No Idle Threat.

In an overtime thriller, the Racine Threat came back to beat the Stallions of Country Club Hills 21-15. Behind the legs of Racine’s #25 RB Greg Sanders the Threat slowed the game down controlled the second half. The defense for the Stallions had big plays by SS #23 Courtney Paige. Paige’s run support helped contain the Threat in the first half. CB# 2 Martel Taylor and FS #1 Michael Phyifer, both had INTs to stop Racine drives.

On the offensive side of the ball, QB Brandon Jewitt spread the ball out evenly to all of his WRs. Kene Harvey (19) showed why he is a reliable target, making some tough catches in traffic. #89 James Ferrel made his presence felt as he kept Stallion drives alive with key receptions. Veteran WR Rafuu Armour proved why he is one of the best in the Mid-West at his position by catching a beautiful 40 plus TD pass from Jewitt.

“The game was well played, clean and down to the wire,” stated Threat owner Erik Olsen. The Stallion look on to our next game 7/12/08 vs. the Bradley Plowmen at the friendly confines of Country Club Hills sports complex.

Stallions travel to Frankfort KY and come out with a win. The win solidifies the Stallions’ hold on the #1 spot in the AFL. The road game was the first overnight trip this season for the team.
	The players were excited about the trip. Being all on the bus together laughing, joking and snoring, really brought the team together in a different way, the guys had fun before they stepped on the field. “We traveled 40 deep and took care of our business”, states OC Barry Buford.
	In the sticky southern 85-90 degree heat on the field took its toll on both teams. The Stallions scored on the opening drive on a 31 yard TD pass to 6’4 210 lbs WR #85 Diaab Muhammad. The pass was thrown by #9 league leading QB Brandon Jewett. The scoring did not stop there. Jewett hit WR #89 James Ferrel on a post, Ferrel out ran the defenders on his way to 46yd TD. #5 QB Will Ross also had a strong performance, marching the team down the field. Ross looked very poised in the pocket. One of the day’s highlights was when Ross scrambled in a very Donavan McNabb-esque manner for twenty yards to pick up a much needed first down.
	The Wardogs mounted a rally and scored twice, but the defense clamped down. Sidney Johnson #95 and Mike “Tha Wood” Norwood Jr. #99 turned up the heat and were constantly in the backfield. Norwood’s pressure was key in causing hurried passes, one of which was picked off by CB Michael Calhoun #20 and returned 37 yards for a TD. On the next series Norwood forced a fumble that was picked up LB #45 Keevin Jones and returned 52 yards for a TD. The LB corps caused several turnovers and kept the capitol City team off balanced all day. 
	The scoring was capped off by WR Diaab Muhammad picking up a fumble from WR #7 Rafuu Armour and scampering 24 yards for a TD. The final score was 32-12 Stallions.

The 9/6 game is tentatively set at home vs. the Chicago Cougars. Check the site to see the latest updates.