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| CT Reporter
October 24, 2010
11:51:40 AM
Entry #: 3599623
| The 2010 NEW ENGLAND SHOOTOUT is right around the corner and this years edition of the fall classic is shaping up to be as big as ever with several of the national top 16 teams already committed. For the top flag teams from Rhode Island and Connecticut, this event has become more than just another stop on the tournament circuit. Although many of the elite programs from around the country will be making the trip up I-95 to Cranston, for the host New England teams it is a chance to renew bitter rivalries between the border states. Both states are rumored to be well represented with the likes of the Steelers (CT), Young Gunz (CT), Bulldogs (CT), Chargers (CT), New England Connection (RI), and Cicconnes (RI) headlining the list.
In the last 4 years the GCFFA and NEFFA organizations have worked together to promote competition and sportsmanship between the teams and leagues. Sometimes hostile and heated, always extremely physical and hard hitting, the rivalry has continually been highlighted by tremendous individual and team play and ultimately with great camaraderie. There have been a number of epic battles between each states premier teams. What started as a lopsided rivalry, with the decided advantage going to the then more established and tenured NEFFA teams has quickly balanced out with both leagues featuring nationally prominent teams and a long list of highly competitive second tier and up and coming programs. One might go as far as to say that the CT gridders have tipped the scales in their favor as they have produced multiple nationally competitive teams and are steadily becoming one of the most competitive, balanced and rapidly growing 9-man flag markets in the country.
It will be interesting to see how many of the great match-ups will see another chapter when the schedule is finally set, but until then here is a glance at some of the highlights over the rivalries last 4 years.
P.S. To the NEFFA teams..........I sure hope that the CT teams don't out number you in your hometown event (that would be as compelling a factor in the status of the rivalry as the game results themselves) !!!
HIGHLIGHTS.....
SILVERBACKS 18-6 over the RAVENS (Summer 2007).
Significant more in the beginning of the relationship between the organizations, the veteran Backs traveled to the first ever GCFFA event and ran through the competition before meeting a game Ravens squad in the chip. The Backs proved to be the superior team but the loss gave CT teams an idea of where they needed to be to take the next step in flag.
STEELERS 18-13 over OUTKAST (Summer 2007)
Outkast came into the championship game against Hartford's own Steelers having only given up 2 touchdowns the entire tournament, but had not yet seen the likes of the "rocket" and "pig". Although Outkast controlled most of the game the Steelers kept it close and with seconds left on the clock used a bit of trickeration and one hell of a stiff arm to walk away with the hardware.
CHARGERS 12-3 over OUTKAST (Summer 2008)
Playing on what has been the nicest stadium in the rivalries history, the newly formed Chargers travel team had CT's first dominating performance over a heavily favored Outkast squad. This was the first win for a CT team other than the Steelers over one of RI's 3 powerhouse squads.
CICCONES 17-14 over CHARGERS (Summer 2008)
On elimination day in the very same event the Outlaws used a controversial pass interference call with 5 seconds left to put themselves in position for a 43 yd game winning field goal. The Chargers had tied the game just seconds earlier on a 4th and 20yd touchdown pass only to have their hopes dashed by the long distance kick
BULLDOGS 13-0 over SILVERBACKS (FlagBowl 2008)
The one time 8-man NEFFA team Bulldogs returned to RI to battle big brother after having made the switch to the GCFFA earlier in the year. This was a huge win for the Bulldog program as it elevated them from being a nice little 8-man team into a 9-man contender
OUKAST 16-6 over STEELERS (FlagBowl 2008)
The Steelers came into the weekend looking to regain some respect for CT teams and although falling short to an impressive Outkast team they did get that respect back. Outkast walks away from this one with $2000 in Cash and prizes
CICCONES 19-13 over KNIGHTS (Summer 2009)
Ciccones did it once again in the final seconds of play as they ended what was a shocking (to those who don't know them) run through the nations elite by the Knights. 2 big interceptions and a huge punt return doomed capped the come from behind victory
YOUNG GUNZ 14-8 over SILVERBACKS (2009 CT NIT)
Special Teams and Defense!!! In a game that was completely controlled by the Backs the high flying Young Gunz used a pic-6 and an electrifying punt return to shock the Backs and advance to the first ever ALL CONNECTICUT final in a national sanctioned event!
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