Linebacker #35 Jesse Burke

Photo courtesy of Linda Salmon

6/11/16

Hudson Falls, NY

Vermont Ravens vs. Glens Falls Greenjackets

Final:

Greenjackets 25

Ravens 0

Staff report:

Another season is officially under way with the Vermont Ravens starting their 10th year as an active organization playing semi-pro football in the New England Football League.  This is the 9th season in the NEFL having played their first season back in 2007 in the now defunct NIFL.

Head Coach Pete Everett brought his team into Hudson Falls yesterday to play a pre-season game against the Glens Falls Greenjackets and to get a look at the 2016 version of the Ravens.  Coming off their most successful season record wise where they finished first in the Southwest Division of the NEFL with a 7-1 record.  Their play-off run ended in the semi-finals bringing their final record to 8-2.

This year's team  has many new faces and so the teams first pre-season game had a true unknown feeling as far as how it can compete for Coach Everett.

In typical pre-season fashion both teams struggled early to get their offenses going.  Glens Falls scored the only points in the half on a 35 yard field goal at 7:10 of the first quarter.

The Ravens started out with wide receiver/quarterback #14 Clay Torres under center, but during the second series switched to rookie quarterback #16 Kyle Bigelow so Torres could move back to his natural position as wide receiver and Coach Everett could get as many reps under center for Bigelow as possible.  The Ravens are without the services of last year's division and team offensive MVP QB Jaren Jeffcoat who is unable to play this season due to injury.

Bigelow had the typical ups and downs that come with being a rookie quarterback in semi-pro football.  Playing against a Triple A team that has been in existence since 1928 such as the Greenjackets also presents problems since their roster size doubled that of the Ravens and they could substitute fresh bodies in and rush him all day long.  The offensive line of the Ravens did admirably for most of the game, and Bigelow was able to begin to feel comfortable as the game went on.

Being an athlete with pride and ability Bigelow stepped up to the challenge and after playing a couple of quarters started to find his rhythm.  Midway through the fourth quarter things started to click and along with the line doing pretty well at giving him some time he connected on some nice plays.  The highlight being when he found slot back #3 Akeem Williams down the left sideline for a 22 yard completion which moved the team out of their end of the field and into Greenjackets territory.  Unfortunately the drive stalled and the Ravens turned the ball over on downs, but the team was encouraged with the yards gained overall in the quarter.  For the game Bigelow finished 9-21 for 105 yards and something to build on now that he has gotten his feet wet in the trenches against a very good team.

Glens Falls had to settle for another field goal at the 10:15 mark of the 3rd quarter after a nice defensive stop in the red zone for the Raven team.  The 25 yard attempt was good and it was 6-0 Greenjackets.

The Greenjackets scored again at 2:30 left in the 3rd as quarterback #8James Deloatch found receiver #30 Ed Harrison for a 10 yard td reception in the corner of the end zone.  The PAT was good and the score was 13-0 Glens Falls.

Deloatch would then find #3 Brian Owen open in the flats where he would catch the ball and wind his way through the Ravens defense on route for a 67 yard touchdown to make it 19-0 Greenjackets and after the PAT attempt was wide the score remained 19-0. 

With 2:54 left in the game #55 Raquan Sanders rambled into the end zone from 13 yards out from his fullback position.  That finished the scoring on the day as the PAT again was wide and the score was 25-0.

Although they did not find the end zone they did manage to move the ball between the 20's and Raven quarterback Bigelow had a good first game overall.  His favorite target on the day was slot back/running back #5 Austin Mayo who caught 4 passes for 38 yards.  Also running back #21 Anthony LaRosa ran the ball 9 times for 31 yards and provided protection for Bigelow from the stunts and blitzes the Greenjackets threw at the rookie QB.

Another rookie who made an impressive debut for the team was middle linebacker/fullback #35 Jesse Burke.  Making plays all over the field on defense he finished with 6 solo tackles and 4 assisted.  Also he scampered up the middle early in the game for 14 yards and was a blocking machine from the fullback position.

 Veteran strong safety #20 Roy Rose was his usual self on defense as he finished with 3 solo and 6 assisted tackles and numerous pressures on the quarterback and also had a kick-off return of 28 yards. 

Second year player defensive end #50 Joe Picard had 3 solo and 2 assisted tackles and one sack where he ran down the Greenjackets quarterback from the backside to bring him down for a 5 yard loss. 

Linebacker #56 Nolan Callahan had 3 solo and 3 assisted tackle and 1 sack with a loss of 6 yards and defensive back Matt Gomes had 3 solo and 2 assisted tackles and 1 interception with a return of 43 yards which was called back due to a block in the back.

The Ravens have a second pre-season game scheduled on Saturday, June 25th at Norwich University.  Kick-off time 4:00 PM.  They will be playing a Triple A team from Meriden, CT called the Silver City Wolves.

For more team information go to www.vermontravens.com or follow on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/VTRavensfans/