WSP NEWS FLASHES

8.27.08: The Green Bay Gladiators are searching for a Head Coach for 2009. Full text can be found on the Gladiators website.

Courtesy Green Bay Gladiators
"The Green Bay Gladiators have been, and are currently in the process of interviewing candidates for the vacant Head Coaching position. Green Bay was the only NEFL team without a Head Coach last season as the coaching duties were split between Offense Coordinator Qadeem Shakoor and Defensive Coordinator Pat Hockers. The new Head Coach will be the first since the 2007 expansion season when Brian Schultz lead the team to a 0-4 record before resigning.

Applications to the Head Coaching position are currently being accepted. Candidates will be interviewed over the remaining three weeks of the vacancy, and a new Head Coach will be announced on September 14th."

Applications can be sent to Team President Nathan Smithson at greenbaygladiators@hotmail.com.

8.27.08: The Rock County Gladiators have announced the line-up of events for the All-Star Weekend Challenge in the IFL, a first for the league. The events include events for all positions. Events will begin on Saturday, Sept 20th at 11:00am, followed by the All-Star game at 3:00pm. The following day, Sunday, Rock County will host a golf outing at Oak Ridge Golf Course in Milton, WI.

Events include: QB Challenge (2 Awards: QBs and Non QBs); Obstacle Course (3 Awards: Line Men, LB/QB/RB, WR/DB); Fastest player (3 Awards: Line Men, LB/QB/RB, WR/DB); Strong Man - 225 Lbs Bench (3 Awards: Line Men, LB/QB/RB, WR/DB). Location: Rock County Football Park in Beloit.

8.27.08: The Superior Stampede, champions of the NEFL, will be heading to Orlando in early 2009 as part of the National Football Events Championship Bowl Series. They will take on the Orlando Rage, champions of the Southern States Football League. More information can be found at www.northernelitefootball.com or www.orlandorage.com.

Full text of the announcement follows:
Courtesy NEFL
"The Northern Elite Football League Champion Stampede will travel to Orlando, Florida in January, 2009 (weekend of January 17-18) to take on the Southern States Football League champion Orlando Rage in a battle of two league champions in the National Football Events Championship Bowl Series. The Stampede will also take on former Stampede player in Dan Turcotte, Jr. (Superior, Wisconsin.), as he was voted the Most Valuable Rookie for the Rage this past winter. Anyone wishing to help the Stampede fundraise can contact Director of Operations, Terry Fawcett, at superiorfootball@hotmail.com. For more information, go to www.orlandorage.com"

8.25.08: Roscoe was into their first Iron Bowl Saturday following their 39-0 drubbing of the Burlington Blue Devils. They waited until Sunday evening to find out who their opponent would be, watching Madison strike early and often against the Milwaukee Venom to secure the spot with a 52-6 victory. Both teams will now have a week off to prepare for the battle, which will be hosted by Madison following the purchase of home field rights several weeks ago. The only earlier season meeting between the teams resulted in a 16-7 Mustang win, Madison's closest game this season. WSP will preview the game next week.

8.20.08: The North East Wisconsin Storm are on the search for a new Head Coach. The following was posted today- "With the inpending [sic] relocation of our Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator, the North East Wisconsin Storm is now looking for his replacement for the '09 season. If you would like more information regarding this position please contact us at NEWStorm2008@aol.com"

The NEW Storm are a semi-pro football team located in Kimberly, WI. The team entered existence in 2007, competing independently in 2008.

8.19.08: From the Wisconsin Wolfpack
The Wisconsin Wolfpack have some bittersweet news regarding its 2008 coaching staff. Defensive Coordinator Thomas Karthausser has accepted a coaching position with the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Tom will be the Tight Ends coach for the Warhawks and his coaching responsibilities are effective immediately.

Tom started his semi-professional coaching career with the Franklin Outlaws where he posted a 10-2 record and led the Outlaws to its first AFC championship birth where they lost to the eventual IFL champion Milwaukee Bulldogs. The following season the Outlaws posted a 12-3 record and won the franchise’s first IFL championship. In two seasons as a head coach he posted a 22-5 record winning over 80% of the games he coached. As defensive coordinator for the newly formed Wisconsin Wolfpack, Tom’s defense has given up 87 points and posted three shutouts through eight games, which equates to less than 11 points per game.

Tom has expressed his interest to re-join the Wisconsin Wolfpack next season as a position coach and use his experience to get more involved on the offensive side of the ball. He is going to remain a recruiter for the Wolfpack and encourages any players to reach out to him if interested in playing with the Wolfpack.

WISEMIPRO.COM WISHES COACH K ALL THE BEST AND THANKS HIM FOR HIS COMMITMENT AND SACRIFICES TOWARDS SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL THESE PAST FEW YEARS

8.12.08: The Beloit Titans expansion franchise continued their torrid run through the GMFL with a 23-22 victory over the first place Chicago Cardinals on Saturday. The victory avenged the only loss the Titans have had all season, a third week loss to the Cardinals in Chicago. With the victory, the Titans move to 7-1 and share the division lead with their rivals. The Titans also climbed into the WSP Top Ten, entering the charts at the #10-spot.

*UPDATE*

In an email to WSP, Blue Devils owner Tom Hawkins said that the Blue Devils will not pursue any changes to the decision at this point, and would abide. Hawkins indicated extreme displeasure with the league's actions, stating "this is a unfair way to be treated but [I] understand Chris point and will support the outcome [sic]." According to Hawkins the "Blue Devils are happy to be in the playoffs and are very positive we can win wherever the game is." Hawkins further indicated that Chudada had spoken with Hawkins early in the month to inquire about hosting but "didn't remember this" and secured the field outside of the conversation.

The IFL has not returned an email regarding the situation.
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8.11.08: Controversy has reared its ugly head in the IFL yet again this season, and for the second time in as many weeks it surrounds a decision to award hosting privileges for a post-season game. This time, however, the IFL appears to have clearly violated its own rules.

Minutes after beating the Wauwatosa Spartans on Saturday to earn the #2 seed in the AFC playoffs, the Burlington Blue Devils learned that they will be treated as the lower seed by the league. In a flurry of emails sent to WSP, it has been learned that Commissioner Chris Chudada announced over the loudspeakers to the Carroll College crowd that the 8/16 wildcard game would be played at Wisconsin Lutheran College, a home field secured by the Wauwatosa Spartans. One source indicated that Chudada "had made the decision to grant the Spartans homefield advantage prior to the game."

Following a confrontation immediately following the game, Burlington owner Tom Hawkins was told that the Blue Devils would not be allowed to wear their home jerseys, nor be announced at the game as the home team, despite owning the better overall and head-to-head records.

Coming weeks after the decision to allow the Iron Bowl to be hosted by current favorite Madison, the league "appears to simply be up for sale", according to one source. Players from around the league have chimed in, agreeing that the Blue Devils have reason to be upset. Some are openly questioning the league leadership.

Emails sent to the Burlington leadership and the IFL Board have not yet been returned.
More as this story develops...

8.11.08: The IFL playoff match-ups have been set, although controversy surrounds the decision on the selection of sites (more here). The Madison will host the Fond du Lac Crusaders in the 1-4 match-up in the NFC, and the Muskego Hitmen will host the Milwaukee Venom in the 2-3 game. The AFC will see the top seeded Roscoe Rush host the #4 seed McHenry County Pirates in an all Illinois match-up. Controversy surrounds the other AFC game, which features the #2 seeded Burlington Blue Devils and the #3 seeded Wauwatosa Spartans. The game is scheduled to be hosted by the Spartans at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

The AFC wasn't decided until Saturday, Aug 9th, when Burlington beat the Spartans, giving the top spot to Roscoe and giving the Blue Devils the two-spot. The NFC #4 seed was also settled on Saturday when West Allis lost to Milwaukee. All games were make-up matches from week 1, when the first series of storms that would later cause widespread flooding rolled through Wisconsin.

8.8.08: Just when the world begins to celebrate unity among the nations, the IFL sees a rivalry spill out publicly. The West Allis Predators posted a motivational speech Wednesday given by #17 Jake Klipp on their homepage. In the speech, Mr. Klipp announced the Predators' intentions to play for a win on Saturday, despite long odds of a payoff berth. However, Mr. Klipp went beyond mere motivation with his colorful use of language, including references to Venom players as "gay", prison rape, drinking and loose morals. See the full text of the speech below.

On Thursday, Milwaukee shot back, albeit with language and a tone probably seen as classier by many. The Venom posted the full historical record of games between the Predators and Venom before calling out Mr. Klipp as a "classless counterpart".

Full Text of the Predator Website

Full Text of the Venom Website

Recognition where it’s due. Pirates – 28 Predators – 14

All-Star nods to OLB 54, QB 8, and TE 89. You guys came to hit.

Enough of this ass-kissing. It goes against my morals. Story of the week is: I HATE the Venom. They’re queers. I actually do not know that for sure, but I do have a picture of Tony Henner and Evan Burgos Wiggly-H’ing a male goat. Is that gay? The goat was male… Anyway, we’re looking forward to cleansing the league of the filth known as the Milwaukee Venom. The Predators playoff hopes are slim, but with a West Allis victory, and a Fond Du Lac loss to the St Francis Monarchs, we will be well on our way to Iron Bowl glory. As long as we bring the heart, the wood, and the sack – VICTORY is not only attainable, but prophesized. Believe me. If there are three things in this world I respect, it’s phat asses, loose morals, and the Bible.

If we show up to Carroll College Saturday at 5pm looking to “play for pride” as some de-balled losers like to say, we will walk out with none. If we show up looking to “win one for the Porch”… We will lose. We can’t be willing to “bend but not break” on Saturday. That’s how guys get bent over. In prison. We can’t be looking to “run out the clock”. We don’t want to “play classy”. Our goal, my purpose in life, the only thing that matters… is winning. Everything else is better when you win. Beer tastes colder. Women do not scoff at lame pickup lines. Your genitalia swell with pride. Victory is the only measure of success on Saturday. Milwaukee Venom beware: We’re playing for more than pride on Saturday. We’re playing for love. Not for love of the game…

But for love of WINNING the game!

Jake Klipp
SLB #17
SouljaOfOne@Gmail.com

I'd like to take the time to show some facts to our loyal fans.
Not any opinions, pure, true, and scientifically proven facts.

In 2005, the inaugural year of the West Allis Predator break-off
from your beloved Milwaukee Venom.
VENOM 27 - Predators 6
In 2006, inaugural year of current Head Coach Carter Robbins.
VENOM 28 - Predators 7
In 2007, it becomes redundant.
VENOM 17 - Predators 14

TOTAL POINTS SCORED IN VENOM vs. Predator HISTORY.
VENOM 72
Predators 27
(Isn't it ironic that they are opposite?)
From 2006 - Current, Records (Since Robbins acquisition).
VENOM 15 - 12
Predators 9 - 17 (all time Predators 11 - 25!)
Points scored in 2008
VENOM 163
Predators 91
VENOM record against Predators 3 - 0.
Predators record against VENOM 0 - 3.
(Irony is funny sometimes.)

With time, the Predators have gotten better, gone are the years when they went 2-8 and recieved one win over the Maniacs with a score of 8 - 6.

Gone is the year when the Predators went 1 - 7,
with their only win over the Maniacs with a score of 9 - 7.

Just last year they squeaked into the playoffs! They are a solid team now, one to be reckoned with and will come to play us tough this weekend! Look forward to a hard hitting game this Saturday in Waukesha, as the good guys in Black and Orange fight to maintain their dominance over the West Allis Predators!

Like I said before, these are the facts, want a prediction from me on the game this week?
I'll send you one that will get there by Monday morning! Why? Your Friendly Neighborhood Venom Web Master has class, unlike the story written by my
classless counterpart on the Predator web site!
(Another ironic polar opposite.)

Author and web master of the Predator web site would like to hear from you!
#17 Jake Klipp SLB SouljaOfOne@Gmail.com is his info.
Tell him what you think of his story!

READ HIS STORY HERE!!
(See what the Predators think of us...)

8.6.08: When the final numbers are written on the season and the tallies are done in the votes, the NEFL and Superior Stampede will undoubtedly find their 2008 seasons to have been successfully recorded. The Stampeded were victorious last Saturday over the Eau Claire Crush, a team that most pundits including our own, picked as heavy favorites. The game itself, broadcast live up north and over the internet to fans all over, was a surprising declaration of the intentions of the league to assert itself upon the semi-pro scene.

Born from the remnants of the GPFL, the NEFL was an unknown heading into the season. Unknown was the level of competition. Unknown was the sportsmanship. Unknown was the administration. Unknown was the success. Well, mark them all down as known and chalk them up as good, good, good and grand.

The game itself was a spectacle worthy of any college football atmosphere. The game ball was flown in by a team of skydivers. The broadcast featured able Superior analysts and several cameras and angles, as well as instant replay. The play was tight and intense through the first half. And the outcome was as surprisingly unexpected as it should have been obvious. Given that this season was the inaugural, and this game was the first ever Elite Bowl, it's a wonder the other, more established leagues have not been able to put together one-tenth as good of a championship.

As for the Stampede, the 6-0 early lead was nothing surprising. We all knew their offense could move the ball. But a few minutes later when Eau Claire was down inside the 5 yard line and driving to tie, it was the defense that stepped up big with an 82 yard interception by Ramon Burroughs. The turnover would prove to be the game- changer. Superior would score to go up 13-0, hold the Crush and score again to go up 20-0 before half. A potential last second TD was called back on a holding call, or else Superior may have entered the break up 27-0. The third quarter saw a see-saw battle for field position, while in the 4th the Crush scored early to bring the score to 20-7. However, Superior would ice the game on a Dave White TD pass, and though the Crush mounted one last drive, the final stood at 27-14.

QB Dave White proved once again that his leadership was superior (no pun intended) to the rest of the league. Head Coach Matt Krivinchuk finished his rookie campaign undefeated, and the Stampede catapulted over much of the rest of the state to achieve the #2 ranking in the WSP Top Ten. The Stampede send 17 players to this weekend's NEFL All-Star gala, and will take on the Twin City Lumberjacks on the 16th in an NEFL-NAFL showcase.