Please make yourself available to work on Saturday 26^th September. This is the last fund-raiser for the fall. We can collect $1000 for some sweat. Details will be handed out at practice. Honestly we need the money so lets pitch in.

Putting aside all the memories of the horrible things I did to PAC players, I would have to say if I was not still on probation, I’d boot up for this coach. (PAC was called Sud Americano back then, as at that time they made no effort to cover up their green card violations) Frederick is very fortunate to have Lance. He has been to "the show" and come back a winner. When you couple this with his knowledge of the game and the way he relates to players, this is the man to take Frederick to the National Championship. I have been around football and rugby for the greater part of my life and he is only the second coach I’ve been in contact with that I can honestly say I would really like to play on one of his teams. Because he has a great deal of respect for his players, he is not going to beat you into submission to come out; you will have to match the respect he gives each of you. There is a good system in place where guys have stepped up each week to play at least two if not three of the top twenty teams in the country. So readjust your schedules, gird up to play the next sixty days so Frederick can go into the winter to plot and plan with #1 seeding for a third MARFU championship. Thanks to everyone on the Club for taking the time to bring along the fledglings at the Mount. Hopefully, many of them will be in the next generation of Frederick players. They looked pretty good out there in the green and white hoops against the Exiles!

Frederick surprised a sleepy PAC side by just coming out with naked aggression on both sides of the ball. The match was divided into four 30-minute sessions. The first session was all Frederick. Basically Frederick A v PAC A. End of the session, Frederick 4 tries, PAC 0). In the second period PAC’s forwards aged dramatically (they brought out all the 1994 National Champions pack). End of the session Frederick 3 tries, PAC 2 (both from quick taps). In the final analysis PAC drew closer finishing up on the losing end of a Frederick victory. A testament to the basic principles of new Coach Lance French and a personal triumph for Lance beating his old club so convincingly. Although we played everybody, here are those that played in the first 2 sessions (1-15):

After last weekend, Frederick wasn’t going to surprise anybody. Washington came up well prepared (partly due to the insider-information supplied by Kevin Fraser!) and in a close fought match came out on top. Frederick had a lot of problems stabilizing the scrum platform, and in general the team was just flat. In the first half Eric Kretzer had to leave the field (broken hand) and later Kenny Orndoff had to leave with a bruised knee. In stepped Rob Schuster to scrum half and Jay Myles to fly half. Once again "squad Frederick" did a great job of filling gaps. In the second half the intensity was restored and Frederick went in front 17-16. With just 5 minutes to go, an intercepted pass (that I’d really rather not think about) led to the winning score for Washington. Here are those that played in the first 2 sessions (1-15):

Like most of the players from last year, this was the match that I expected to win. On the day it was not to be. Scrum dominance and a poorly marshaled lineout reduced quality possession. The Exiles powered into a comfortable lead. However, Frederick was much more focused in defense than the previous week stopping most of the Exiles attacks. After an attempted decapitation, Vince Baker was awarded a penalty try and a beautiful up-and-under by Rob Schuster was chased down, the loose ball being grounded by Baker for his second of the day. This score (converted by Kenny Orndoff) brought Frederick within 3 points. Unfortunately, Rob Schuster was injured on the play and had to leave the pitch. Players were adjusted to cover but Martin O’Donaghue and Verb abused the mismatch for two quick tries, which sealed the match for the Exiles. Here are those that played in the first 2 sessions (1-15):

DAMASCUS - New Damascus head coach Dan Makosy doesn't have to be told about the Hornets' great football tradition - and he doesn't have to be intimidated by it. After all, Makosy has been part of it. Makosy, an assistant for the past 10 years at Damascus, takes over a program that has been to five state championship games during his tenure. Makosy helped head coach Al Thomas, who won two state titles and had a 59-13 record in six seasons. Makosy then helped Thomas' successor, Todd Tunnell, who won a state title in 1996 and compiled a 34-9 record. Now, Makosy is Tunnell's successor. "If I was coming from the outside in, it would have been real tough," Makosy said. "But being there since Day One - I've been with the program as it has grown." "Four years ago, it was a change when we didn't have Al there anymore, and it was an adjustment," Makosy said. "It is an adjustment again." Makosy said he learned a lot from Thomas. "He was a great teacher for all of us," he said. "Al taught us how to be coaches - how to break down film and how to attack offenses and defenses." Last year, the Hornets went 8-2 and just missed making the Class 3A state tournament. But most of that team's key players have graduated. The line was hit especially hard, with standouts Andrew Wimsatt, Tim Falls and Jim Casey all graduating. While the line most likely won't be as dominant as it was last year, Makosy - who was the line coach - said it should be "fine." The Hornets return three offensive starters and six defensive starters. And returnees will find that the new head coach has the same old Damascus goal. "We always have the same goal - and that is to play 13 games, to get to the state finals," Makosy said. "Is it realistic? I'm not sure, ask me in eight weeks. It's worked five out of 10 years, so we're not going to change."

Time to elect a Captain, Vice Captain and Alternate Selector for this season! Please think long and hard as to whether you would like to be nominated for a position or whom you want to vote for. The Captain, Vice Captain and Coach select the A-side each week. Vote for someone you respect.