MAY NEWS 2013 MAY NEWS 2013

 Press Release: April 21, 2013

Stingrays  “Lasso” the Cowboys  “20-18”
There’s a new sheriff in town! The Florida Stingrays (7-2) traveled to Miami to battle the 2012 League Champions and undefeated Broward County Cowboys (9-0) in a key divisional match-up on Saturday night and came away with a “20-18” victory.  The win earned the Stingrays the second seed position which gives them a bye week and a home playoff game set for Saturday, May 4th at Rutenberg stadium.  The win also allowed for the Stingrays to avenge a “38-32” loss during the first week of the season and break the Cowboys 21 game winning streak.
The Stingrays struck early when Quarterback Lonnie Young connected with Cameron Hall for a 40 yard TD pass. The Stingrays “Bruise Brothers” defense suffocated the high powered Cowboys offense that was averaging 35 points per game and forced a fumble on the next series when Defensive End Calvin Green recorded a sack.  Lonnie Young found his way into the end zone after sprinting three yards around the right end making the score “12-0” at the end of the first quarter.   The Cowboys shook off their slow start and returned the ensuing kick-off back to the Stingrays twenty yard line.  Quarterback Kenny Ketchum found the end zone on a fourth and one play narrowing the score to “12-6”.  A fumble late in the second quarter gave the Cowboys great field position which allowed for them to cash in on a Touchdown when receiver Willie Maket made a diving thirty five yard catch in the end zone.  The score at halftime was knotted at “12-12”
Halftime was extended by a two hour delay when a torrential rain and lightning show pounded the field resulting in both teams returned to a quagmire to start the third quarter.  The “Bruise Brothers” shut down the potent Cowboy offense on five consecutive “3 and out” series during the third quarter setting up the Stingrays offense for three potential scoring attempts.  Unfortunately, usually dependable Kicker Rey Hernandez was plagued by three missed field goals during the third quarter due to bad snaps resulting from the sloppy weather.  Hernandez made some adjustments and connected on field goals from “25” and “32” yards out to make the score “18-12” midway through the fourth quarter.  On the last kickoff, the Stingrays pinned the Cowboys deep on their own five yard line.  The poor field position allowed for Linebacker Bebe Young to record a Safety when he tackled Ketchum in the end zone making the score “20-12” with three minutes to play.  The Cowboys offense sputtered to life and methodically moved the ball to the Stingrays thirty five yard line and faced a fourth and ten situation.   A phantom defensive interference penalty was called when Ketchum launched a “Hail Mary Pass” which resulted in a jump ball in the end zone.  The home town call gave the Cowboys the ball at the one yard line with thirty seconds left on the clock.  Two plays later Ketchum surged his way into the end zone with no time remaining making the score “20-18”.  The “Bruise Brothers” defense rose to the occasion once again made a “family reunion” tackle when the entire team squashed the two point conversion thus handing the Cowboys their first loss in two seasons.
“We had a great week of practice and had some time to study a lot of game film” commented Head Coach, Chris Morant  “Our staff has a lot of experience and we came up with a game plan that stymied the top ranked offense in the league … we look forward to beating the Cowboys again in the playoffs!”  

 

  

MARCH 2013 NEWS MARCH 2013 NEWS

Stingrays Calm the Florida Extreme

March 24, 2013

 
The Florida Stingrays faced off against the Florida Extreme last night in Miami. The Stingrays came to play after a bye week and defeated the Extreme 38-6 which gave the Stingrays their fourth win of the season and kept them in second place behind the Broward Couny Cowboys (7-0).. The Stingrays began the game flat in the first quarter when they had a  60 yard drive end with a fumble by Charles Long. Neither team acored and the quarter ended at 0-0.
 
In the second quarter the Stingrays remained mediocre at best., but with one minute left in the quarter,  Cameron Hall scored on a two-point conversion on a 20 yard pass. At half the Stingrays led 2-0.
 
At half time head coach, Coach Morant relayed his disappointment to the team and reminded them how hard they worked during practice. The second half was much improved and the Stingrays came out and scored very quickly with plays by several players: Kelvin Green recovered a fumble and ran it 40 yards for a touchdown; Vance St. Gourdin ran 7 yards for another touchdown; Charles Long scored off of a 5 yard rush and Taj Denson recovered a fumble and scored after a 20 yard run.
 
The Stingrays Defense was stingy and played a solid game with Kelvin Green leading with 10 tackles, 1 sack and a fumble recovery. Troy Green had 7 tackles and once again the Stingrays kept the game alive only allowing the Extreme to score once in the 4th quarter. Florida Extreme's Quarterback scored a 40 yard touchdown in the 4th quarter for the teams only score of the game.
 
Stingrays are home on March 30 to faceoff against the South Florida Chargers at Rutenburg Park at 6pm.
FEBRUARY 2013 NEWS FEBRUARY 2013 NEWS

 

Florida Stingrays Open Up their 2013 Football Season with a Bang and a Convincing 77-6 Victory Over the Cape Coral Wolves

February 11, 2013   ·   2 Comments

By David Conde

www.thepigskinreport.com

 

With great anticipation, the 2013 football season started off with a bang for the Florida Stingrays.  For an organization that saw their 2012 inaugural season end with a first round playoff loss, on Saturday they looked like a team on a mission to finish this season as the top team in the United Football Federation.  Now their opponent on Saturday may not have been a top caliber team, but it was a starting point for a new season.

 

The Stingrays opened up the 2013 season against their new cross-river rivals, theCape Coral Wolves.  The Wolves come into this season with something to prove, that they can compete with the big boys and last a full season.  With a one of the biggest cities in Florida behind them, talent is what will be the deciding factor.  Stingrays’ ownerJay Lawrence, “We hope to make this into a great rivalry that will benefit both organizations for years to come.”

Saturday marked the first ever Cape Coral v. Fort Myers semi-pro regular season football game in Southwest Florida. The fans showed up to support both teams and they came with an excitement not seen in these parts, other than for pop warnerfootball games.  The parking lot was full and parking spaces were limited to parking in the neighborhood streets.  The excitement could be felt in the air and the cars driving past the field would occasionally stop just to see what all the fuss was about.  No matter the outcome of the game, it was a success for the Wolves to finally host a league game in their part of town.

 

It was evident early on that the Stingrays came ready to play, and not only play but pounce on their cross-river rivals.  Both teams met in a scrimmage game a month ago and it seemed the Stingrays knew exactly what to expect when it truly counted.  The Stingrays made a statement very early in the game when #11 Lonnie Young ran theopening kick-off for a 90 yard touchdown.  Just like that the Stingrays took the lead but they were far from over.  By the time the first quarter ended, the score was 22-0. The Stingrays didn’t stop there, they continued their onslaught of the less talented Wolves and recorded touchdowns by Running back’s #5 James Grant, # 20 Charles Long, and #14 Vance “Big Man” St. Gourdin as well as a receiving TD by #14 St. Gourdin which eventually the half ended with the Stingrays up 50-0.

In the start of the second half, you could see that the Wolves seemed to be over-matched in every aspect of the game but they battled with the Stingrays in the third quarter and their defense put up on zero on the board for the Stingrays.  The only true highlight for the Wolves came when they recovered a fumble deep in Stingrays territory and ran it back for a 90 yard touchdown. That made the score 50-6. The Stingrays would recover from their one quarter scoring funk and add on 27 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to finish off a 77-6 lopsided victory.

 

The Stingrays would score the most points in a single season game in the franchises two year history and the defense played as you would expect a Stingrays defense to play, stingy, quick and on their game.  The Wolves could hardly muster any yardage and the Stingrays defense would record their first shutout of the young season. Stingrays OwnerJay Lawrence, “Our guys have been working really hard and we knew we were going up against a very young and inexperienced team.” Lawrence continues, “The Wolves came to play and played hard but our guys are focused on winning a championship this year and they came out wanting to make a statement and I think we accomplished our mission.”

Overall it was a successful night not only for the Stingrays but also for the United Football Federation and the Cape Coral Wolves. It was very evident from the start to finish that the Wolves were heavily over-matched but they battled all night and didn’t quit on themselves and they finished out the game as all teams are expected to do. They are a young team and they have a lot of things to work on but the key to their first game is they showed up ready to play but just found themselves against a better more equipped and experienced Stingrays squad.

 

The Stingrays may have showcased their talent against a lesser talented opponent, but when teams are playing for a bigger picture, like a championship, it doesn’t matter who stands in their way, good teams just take care of business.

If this game is any indication of what the season can turn out to be, teams will have fits trying to contain this potent Stingrays offense and stingy defense.  And the true test will be next Saturday night February 16th at Ruttenberg Park in Fort Myers when the Stingrays battle against defending League Champs the Broward County Cowboys, who come off a bye week. Stingrays Head Coach Chris Morant shared “We have to play to our full potential because the Cowboys are very large upfront and have a very aggressive defense.”

 

The game will determine just how good this revamped Stingrays team truly is and if they can find the right holes in the Cowboys’ defense.  A big test early in the season, but one to build on.

 

 

STINGRAYS PRESS RELEASE

Press Release: Feb 24, 2013
Stingrays ZAP the Chargers “20-6”
The Florida Stingrays traveled to Miami and took on the South Florida Chargers in a key divisional match-up on Saturday night and came away with a “20-6” victory. The win makes the Stingrays season record “2-1” which is good enough to earn second place in the UFF’s Southern Division. The Stingrays face another key divisional match-up this Saturday, March 2nd @ Rutenberg Field when they host the Palm Beach Phantoms.
“I was a bit worried going into this game due to our rash of injuries” commented Head Coach, Chris Morant “We had to play the game without our starting Quarterback, Brian Greenwell, Linebacker Max McDonald, Safety Hezekiah Reed, Kicker Ray Hernandez with Defensive End, Jarvis Battle seeing limited action … but our players stepped up and earned this win tonight.”
Lonnie Young was thrust into the starting role as a QB and showed poised guiding the Stingrays on a 70 yard touchdown drive to start the game. Due to the lack of a kicker, the Stingrays were forced to go for a fourth and ten at the Chargers thirty yard line and converted after a drive saving catch by wide receiver Ray Johnson. Lonnie Young was flushed from the pocket on the next play and razzle dazzled his way into the end zone after a ten yard run.
The Stingrays Defense took over and held Chargers to consecutive “three in / three out” situations throughout the game. On the night, the “Bruise Brothers Defense” recorded ten sacks and held the Chargers to less than 80 yards in total Offense.
Steve Stillman hauled in a 60 yard bomb from Young on the first play of the Stingrays second possession making the score “12-0”. On the Stingrays third possession, Vance St Gourdin showed his versatility by sprinting around the end and finding the end zone on a 35 yard run ... St Gourdin then bolted up the middle to make the 2 point conversion stretching the score to “20-0”. The Stingrays were knocking on the door once again on a drive late in the first half which ended when Charger Safety Manny Guewd stepped in front of a Young pass and intercepted the ball five yards deep in the end zone to kill the drive.
Both teams’ offenses sputtered in the third quarter without either team recording a first down. The lone Chargers scored came late in 4th quarter when a drive was kept alive by two Defensive personal foul calls both occurring on third and long situations. “We cannot commit senseless mistakes in key third down situations against better teams if we expect to win” commented Defensive Coordinator Joe Skladany. Charger Split End Kenny Ketchum make a leaping ten yard grab in the end zone to make the score “20-6”
The Stingrays offense came to life behind the power running of Charles ”Dink” Long, behind its massive offensive line which averages @ 325 pounds per man, and moved the ball down to the Chargers one yard line with five minutes to play in the game. An offside infraction and subsequent sack stalled the drive allowing the Chargers to take over on downs. The final big play of the night was turned in by Stingrays linebacker LaVonte Dale when he intercepted the ball at midfield to end the game.
“I am pleased with our team effort” said a relieved Morant after the game “but we seemed out of rhythm most of the night due to the fact that we had players who had to step in and play out of position … I hope we get our starters healthy next week so we can get our “mojo” back.”
JANUARY 2013 TEAM NEWS JANUARY 2013 TEAM NEWS

 

Semi-Pro Football in Southwest Florida is Gearing up for the 2013 Season and even the Pre-Season Games Are Meaningful

January 21, 2013   ·   2 Comments

By David Conde

www.thepigskinreport.com

 

What was slated as the Battle for 239 and/or the “Soul Bowl” between the Florida Stingrays (UFF) and the Southwest Florida Panthers (League TBD), with the two semi-pro teams not competing in the same league but sharing the fans in the same area code, was one of the highly anticipated football games to be played this past Saturday, January 19, 2013.  The Stingrays with a full season under their belts and the Panthers about to begin their inaugural season in 2013, met for the first time ever. Bragging rights were on the line on Saturday.  Which team would come out on top?  Which fans would be able to say that their team owns the city until the two teams could meet again in anotherpre-season match-up? The Panthers the new team on the block against the Stingrays, considered the veterans in the area.

 

Below are the official Stingrays Game Notes and Press Release from Saturday Nights Soul Bowl (Battle for 239)

Courtesy of the Florida Stingrays Organization

Stingrays Win the Inaugural “Soul Bowl” with a Dominating 29-12 Win over the Panthers

The fans attending the inaugural “Soul Bowl” at Buckingham field got their money’s worth watching the Stingrays dominate the Panthers from the opening kickoff.  The Stingrays chose to defer after winning the coin toss opting to start the game with the “Bruise Brothers” defense taking the field to showcase its 2013 version of talent.  They did not disappoint, by forcing the Panthers into a third and fifteen on the first series.  Unfortunately, a controversial “Defensive Holding” call renewed the Panthers downs at midfield.  Upset by the call, the defense recorded three tackles for losses and forced the Panthers to punt.

The Stingrays first possession began at their own forty yard line after a dazzling thirty yard return by Vance St. Gourdin (Cypress Lake).   Stingray Quarterback Bryan Greenwell (Cape Coral) guided the team down the field with a combination of runs from Charles Long (Richmond Hill HS, Indiana) and short passes to Split End Steve Stillman (Ft Myers).  The drive stalled forcing the Stingrays to call upon kicker Rey Hernandez (Labelle) to connect on a thirty yard field goal to make the score “3-0”.

On the next series, Defensive Captain / Linebacker Max McDonald (Estero) both forced and recovered a fumble.  Three plays later, Lonnie Young (Ft Myers) swept around left end and dove into the end zone … Hernandez tacked on the extra point making the score “10-0” at the end of the first quarter.

The “Bruise Brothers” blitzed the house during the Panthers next possession resulting in another turnover when Strong Safety Calvin Green (Dunbar) recovered a fumble at the Panthers thirty yard line.  The Stingrays drove down to the one yard line when Greenwell called his own number and followed a bulldozer in the form of the Stingrays offensive line lead by Center Shea Curtsinger (Golden Gate) in for a touchdown. Hernandez connected again making the score “17-0” early in the second quarter.

Both teams then traded punts.  Unfortunately, a Stingrays fumble gave the Panthers the ball at the Stingrays thirty yard line with two minutes before the half.  Panther Quarterback, Kenny Makit, showed his elusiveness by sidestepping no less than four would be tacklers on route to a fifteen yard touchdown run making the score “17 – 6”. “Missed tackles are expected, but an unwelcomed part of the game, during the first game of the season” commented Defensive Coordinator, Joe Skladany.  “Now that our guys have experienced live game action, I hope missed tackles will become a distant memory”. 

The third quarter turned into a slug fest with both teams stifling eachother’s offense.   The Panthers then struck pay dirt when Makit connected with Wide out Tyron Laces on a fifty five yard bomb tightening the core “17-12” on the first play of the fourth quarter.  “We just had a busted coverage”, commented Free Safety Hezekiah Reed (Dunbar).  “Our corner was playing zone when everyone else was playing man …I promise that will not happen again!”

An inspired Panther team then drove to the Stingrays ten yard line only to be turned back on consecutive sacks by Defensive End Troy Green (Riverdale) and Outside Linebacker Bebe Young (Ft Myers).  The Panthers were forced to try for a thirty five yard field goal which was blocked by Defensive End Brandon Devero.

The Stingrays regained control of the line of scrimmage and marched seventy yards  ending with a diving catch by Lonnie Young in the corner of the end zone for the go ahead score of “23-12” with four minutes remaining in the game.

The last score of the day came when Travis Broomfield (Cape Coral) intercepted a pass and raced sixty yards for a Touchdown on the last play of the game making the final “29-12”. “I’m proud of our players”, beamed Head Coach Chris Morant, “we started out with a bang … hit a road bump … then poured it on at the end when we needed a score … the players showed a lot of poise and executed when the game was on the line … we have some work to do but we are going in the right direction.”

The Stingrays will travel to Cape Coral for their first game of the season when they battle with the Cape Coral Wolves on Saturday, February 9th

Please log onto Floridastingraysfootball.com  for more information

 
SEPTEMBER 2012 TEAM NEWS SEPTEMBER 2012 TEAM NEWS

The Stingrays have announced that they have chosen to join the United Football Federation (UFF) for the 2013 Season. 

 

See Article below from the UFF website:

 

 

FLORIDA STINGRAYS CHOOSE UFF AS HOME FOR 2013 SEASON

September 7, 2012   Featured
Stingy_Pic_t607

FORT MYERS — In the United Football Federation’s quest to pickup quality teams during the off-season, the league has made a bit of a splash, with key pickups of the Space Coast Predators, Orlando Phantoms and now the Florida Stingrays.

Stingrays coach Chris Morant informed league officials that after discussing things over with owner Jay Lawrence, that the team would be fully committing to joining the UFF for the 2013 season.

“Another big pickup into the league,” UFF Director of League Operations Andy Villamarzo said. “From what I know and have heard, the Stingrays are a top notch program and run a tight ship. The entire league board is very much looking forward to working with the Stingrays.”

The Stingrays, formerly of the Southern Amateur Football Association (SAFA), finished 6-5 last season, including reaching the playoffs and then losing to the eventual league runnerups, Gainesville Gators, 22-12.