With this being my first season I have seen enough to cover a few lifetimes, but the best is yet to come. This Saturday we are posed to make our playoff run. The Avengers is a different breed, never have they walked into a game with any doubt, ever thinking they would or could lose. That’s confidence that is brought and built over time, and this organization has weathered all the test that time could muscle.  This Saturday May 23^rd against the Extreme at Central High in Keller Texas, we plan to continue that journey and carve our names in the TUFL history book. But don’t be confused we as Avengers learn from the past and are determined to co-author our future, this time with our names engraved on the championship and on each one of our fingers, in a gold ring setting. One game at a time! Quarter after Quarter we march!

I’m proud of the Avenger Heritage and all it means to the fans, family, and the members of this special club.

Best believe all that don’t know us will get to know us in a real short time! We bring that “A” game! Don’t bring less than your best to the AVENGERS!!!

WHERE MY DOGS AT??? !!!

YOU ALREADY KNOW THE REST!!!!

Avengers Advance

On a breezy, rainy night at Keller’s Central High School, the Fort Worth Avengers fought through rust and the weather to defeat the Texas Xtreme 31-17 in the first round of the Texas United Football League (TUFL) playoffs and advance to the second round.

Rain clouds were all around

The first half was a little sloppy as the Avengers hadn’t played in over a month due to two forfeit victories and the rain kept their receives in check. As a result, it was the Xtreme, from Athens, TX, who got on the board first. In spite of being in the backfield all night, Gartrelle Cooper was unable to corral the Xtreme quarterback Marcus Bowman on a 16 yard quarterback keeper giving the Xtreme a touchdown. The Xtreme benefited from a long pass on the play before when their receiver got behind the secondary and hauled the pass setting them up at the 16 yard line. The extra point was good and the score was 7-0 Xtreme.

The game started about 30 minutes late as both teams struggled with unusual conditions at the stadium. The turf at the field, which belonged to Keller Central High School, was brand new and installed just before the school’s recent spring football game. Therefore, the turf was extra loose leaving players will little traction. Another unusual condition was the lack of the scoreboard. According to Avengers coaches, a line that powers the scoreboard had been accidentally cut the day before. Therefore, the scoreboard was inoperable. The timekeeper hired by the Avengers had to keep the time on his a watch. The venue was also different than the usual venue for the Avengers which is Pennington Field in Bedford.

Following the Xtreme’s touchdown, Avenger quarterback Terry Barber and the offense went to work. On 3rd and 10, Barber found Alex Martinez across the middle picking up the first down and getting down to the Xtreme 30 yard line. About Martinez and Quinten McKinney, Avenger co-owner and coach Gary Fulenwider quoted Michael Irving saying, “Big players make Big plays in Big games.” And, a couple of plays later, Barber found a streaking McKinney down the left sideline running past the Xtreme secondary for a 35 yard touchdown. The Avengers hit the extra point, and the score was 7-7.

On the following Xtreme possession, it looked like the Avengers were going to return to mid-season form. Cornerback Jeffery Meeks picked off a 3rd down Xtreme pass giving the Avengers possession. Then, on 1st down, Barber found Martinez again for a 17 yard gain. However, a few moments later the Avengers were unable to convert the 4th down and the Xteme took over.

It was at this time that the rain and the wind came causing fans to seek shelter under the bleachers. Lightning was also present causing the game to be delayed for a few minutes. Neither team really gained any momentum, however, the Xtreme was able to pin the Avengers inside their own 5 yard line twice negating the punt returning ability of McKinney and leading to stalled drives.

Then, just before the end of the half, Avneger kicker Randy Lawrence hit a field goal giving the Avengers a lead of 10-7 at halftime.

When the second half resumed, fans saw most of the game’s action. On the opening kickoff, the Avengers returned the ball to the Xtreme 38 yard line. However, the drive stalled and the teams traded possessions a couple of times. With the fourth quarter just under way, the Avengers got a break. The Xtreme fumbled the ball on a right-side sweep and the Avengers recovered at the 13 yard line. On the first play after the fumble recovery, Barber found Martinez in the end zone for a 13 yard touchdown pass giving the Avengers a 17-7 lead.

Barber said about Martinez, “. . . . he’s a great receiver, great hands. He ran the route correctly [on the touchdown] and he got rewarded for it.”

After Marinez’s touchdown catch, the game became exciting. The Xtreme benefited from a pass interference call getting in field goal range and hitting a field goal to make the score 17-10. Then, McKinney showed why he is one of the most exciting players in semi-pro football. On the ensuing kickoff, he took the ball and headed right, then he cut back to his left and shot through the middle like a cannon leaving defenders at his feet as he blasted through the middle of the field 90 yards for a touchdown.

“I took the energy on the field and scored,” McKinney said after the game about one of his coaches challenging him before the return. “They said I ain’t ran a kick off back for two years, so it was time to step up.”

The extra point made the score 24-10, and the Avengers thought they had some breathing room. However, the Xtreme wasn’t done. After an interception, the Xtreme converted a 4th and 9 when Bowman, as he did all night, kept the play alive and got the ball to receiver Nico Adams who was able to shake off a defender and get it to the end-zone. After the extra point, it was 24-17 Avengers.

Bowman is a former All District and All East Texas quarterback from Carthage, TX.  He is playing his first year of semi-pro football after playing for Trinity Valley Junior College.  Bowman finished the night 10-22 for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception.  He also picked up 67 yards rushing in addition to the time he put in at safety and kick returner.  Adams, also from Carthage, played for Blinn Junior College and caught 3 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown, all in the second half for the Xtreme.  Overall, the Xtreme had 373 yards of total offense.

The Xtreme elected to kick the ball off rather than kick an onside kick, and everyone thought the Avengers would run out what was left on the clock. However, offensive coordinator Tim Smith had a different idea. With the ball at their 47, Barber took the snap and dropped back to pass, and then he dumped the ball off on a screen to Chuck “twelve pack” Steward who took the ball up the middle, and, with only his linemen to beat, he bolted to the end-zone setting the score.

On the final Xtreme drive, the Avenger defense came up with the plays to seal the game when David Constance got a big sack on a second down and Aaron Armour broke up a third down pass. The Xtreme was unable to convert on a 4th and 20, and the Avengers took over running out the clock.

I never new this to be true until last Saturday when as a Avenger we faced the Abilene Gladiators, the face-off was in Lancaster Texas on May 30^th. The day when these two titans clashed was one to remember not for the score in the end, but for the battle that fought to get there.

A lot of respect goes to the heart of the Gladiators as they prepared and started the war on the field with good ball play and defense, but overall the intensity level was higher than the Avengers.

Granted after some few choice motivating words from Head Coach and other inspiring leaders from Offense and Defense, we put our helmets back on strapped up our laces, let out our battle cry; 2 PATS 2 CLAPS AND A “AAHHHHH”

From that moment forward we were back to business, as the game neared the fourth quarter with 1:30 left in the game, we started to plan for next weeks opponent in Round 3. But quickly we were woken up from this dream. A key turn over forced our backs against the wall, but soon to be hold, we were ready for the challenge. Abilene had one final chance to crush our playoff dreams in the mist of making theirs come true.

 Behind 34-36 the Gladiators were drooling at the mouth, as their kicker lined up for the 1 point win over us. Or so we thought. We called a timeout to ice the kicker which is normal at all levels. Regained ourselves and everyone held on tight. As the kicker reached the ball, everyone looked up towards the goal post. But that’s not where the ball went, the KICK WAS BLOCKED. To the amazement of many but to the joy of our playoff dreams, overall a well fought game, and like true Gladiators after a fierce battle, the “Heavy Hitters” from Abilene shook hands with the “Warriors” from the Fort Worth of Town.

Ft. Worth Avengers (12-1)
vs.
Edinburg Landsharks (13-0)

The Ft. Worth Avengers will be facing Edinburg Landsharks who are coming off
a 34-18 win over the Houston Colts in the South Conference Championship game &and hold a perfect 13-0 record.

This game will be for the 2009 TUFL State Championship “The Super Bowl”, which will be held on Blackshear Field at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Tx. on June 13, 2009.

Avengers Move on to TUFL Super Bowl

         
 *Ft Worth Avengers Celebrate Conference Championship   * Emerson Settle had a big night for the Avengers

“Big heart.  He won’t give up,” said defensive coordinator Dan Hunt of Settle after the game.  Settle, at times, looked as though the the night was over for him as he came to the sidelines in pain.  “Wouldn’t give up; made the plays when we needed it; kept coming back.  His knee was bothering him all night, but he knows what the game is.”

With the win, the Avengers become the Northern Conference Champions, giving them that elusive championship.  In spite of being among the oldest of the teams in the TUFL, a championship had eluded them.  On Saturday, June 13, the Avengers will travel to Prairie View A&M to play the Edinburg Landsharks at Blackshear Field.

“We came together as a family and did what we had to do,” said Stampede head coach Freeman.  “We actually started playing Stampede football.  The season didn’t even speak for us as far as what we were capable of doing.  We had a couple of games slip. . . . we didn’t play like we were supposed to.”

“I think the team stepped up, period,” said Coach Freeman when asked about the difference in the playoffs. “It wasn’t just one person.  The team came together and our motto was to ‘play as one,’ and that’s what we did, played as one.”

“I didn’t expect to be the head coach this year, but my body is broken down after playing 13 years of semi-pro football,” said Brummett Saturday night, taking a nostalgic trip down memory lane. “Starting off with the Texans, going to the Mid-Cities Rush, going to the (Dallas) Diesel, and then playing for the Crowley Cougars and then the Avengers.”

“I’ve played center all of my life; we have one of the best offensive lines I’ve ever seen in this league,” Brummett said.

With 27 seconds left in the half, Barber found Chuck Steward over the middle for a screen that scored the first touchdown of the game.  The PAT was no good, and the Avengers led 6-0 at halftime.

The second half was more of the same as the Avengers were content to use their running game to grind out a clock-draining win.  After a fumble recovery by D. Burleson, the Avengers marched toward their second and final score.

With 6:22 left in the third quarter, Tyrelle Staples burst through for a 10 yard touchdown.  Cedrick Miller added the two point conversion, and the Avengers had a 14-0 lead.

Congratulations to the Avengers and the Stampede for great seasons.