Cincinnati Australian Football Team Goes 1-1 in Louisville
By Brian Reiss

LOUISVILLE, KY - The Cincinnati Dockers Australian Rules Football Club began their 2009 USAFL season this past Saturday, going 1 and 1 in the Shield Division in the John Harrell Memorial Cup tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, defeating the Nashville Kangaroos 55-39 and falling to the eventual champions, the Columbus Jackaroos, 59-50. 


In the first match against the Nashville Kangaroos, the Dockers had an immediate disadvantage in that they would not have the services of their coach Kyle Strenski.  To make matters worse, they started going uphill and against the gusty Louisville wind.  Despite this, they managed to stay within striking distance, finishing the first half down by only 2 goals.  Cincinnati turned the tables on the Kangaroos and then some in the second half.  A swap of several key players around the field paid immediate dividends, as the Dockers scored a goal within seconds of the opening siren.  In the end, the Kangaroos were not able to stop the Dockers experience, defeating the Kangaroos 8 goals, 7 behinds, 55 points to 5 goals, 9 behinds, 39 points. 


This win did not come without a price, as the Dockers lost two experienced players to injury in ruckman Wes Freeland and forward Brian Reiss.  They did however enjoy the return of their coach and six-time national team member Kyle Strenski.  They would need this for their second match against the Columbus Jackaroos. 


The final match of the day for both clubs turned out to be the toughest and hardest fought match for both clubs.  Cincinnati showed the experience advantage, while Columbus had the edge in speed and youth.  At halftime, the Jackaroos used this to take a nine point lead at halftime, leading 31-22 at the break.  In the second half, the Dockers showed signs of a comeback, but the combination of gusty winds blowing shots at goal off course and the speed of the Columbus forward line kept the Dockers at bay.  Cincinnati could not make up the halftime difference, losing 9 goals, 5 behinds, 59 points to 7 goals, 8 behinds, for 50 points.  After the tournament, Cincinnati midfielder Mike Hanavan was named the MVP of their pool. 


Cincinnati's next match on Saturday May 16th will be their only true home game of the 2009 season.  They will reunite with the Louisville Kings to form the Ohio Valley River Rats, the defending USAFL Division 4 national champions.  On that weekend, they will challenge the defending Mid American Australian Football League champions, Chicago United.  The match will take place at Point Pleasant Park on Resor Road in Fairfield, OH, with a scheduled start time of 2 PM. 


The Cincinnati Dockers are an Australian Rules Football club based out of Fairfield, Ohio. Established in 1996, they are the oldest club of its kind in the United States. Last year, the Dockers were co-winners of the USAFL division 4 national championship. For more information about the Dockers please visit their website at www.cincinnatidockers.com. To contact the Dockers, please send an e-mail to dockers@cincinnatidockers.com. 


Scoring note: In Australian Rules Football, a goal is worth 6 points, and a behind is worth 1 point.

Fort Wayne 34, Miami Valley 28
Courtesy of CIFL

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Fort Wayne snapped its three-game losing skid, narrowly escaping visiting Miami Valley. The Freedom moved to 3-3 on the year with a 34-28 victory over the Silverbacks at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Freedom raced out to a 34-7 lead in the contest, but the Silverbacks (0-4) didn’t go away. They put up back-to-back scores to make it 34-21 and, on Fort Wayne’s next possession, cashed in on a pick-six to trim the gap to just six.

On the Miami Valley’s final drive, Mike Brown hauled in a Josh Davis pass, but came up six yards short of a game-tying score.

On the night, Randy Hutchison was 19-of-25 for 225 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Freedom. Brian Jackson had two of those touchdown catches and Nick Body had six grabs for 95 yards and a score.

The Silverbacks will now travel to Marion to battle the Mayhem on Saturday, May 2 at 7pm. The game will not be broadcast live by MCP TV, but fans can tune into CIFL Live streaming internet radio at www.continentalindoorfootball.com.

Local Australian Football Team Sets Out To Defend 2008 Championship

FAIRFIELD, OHIO - The Cincinnati Dockers Australian Rules Football Club will begin their unprecedented 13th consecutive season on April 25th at the John Harrell Memorial Cup tournament in Louisville, Kentucky, as they begin to defend their 2008 USAFL Division 4 National Championship.

As part of the John Harrell Memorial Cup, the Dockers will participate in a one day round-robin tournament with two other teams in the “Shield” division, consisting of the Columbus Jackaroos and the Nashville Kangaroos.  Each game will consist of two 20-minute halves, while the games will take place at Champions Park on River Road, just south of the Ohio River.  The Dockers’ first match against Nashville will begin at 1 PM, and their second match against Columbus begins at 3 PM.

The Dockers look to build on momentum from last season’s championship conclusion after winning the 2008 USAFL Division 4 National Championship tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  On that weekend, the Dockers teamed up with Columbus and the Louisville Kings to form the Ohio Valley River Rats.  The River Rats went 3-1 in the tournament and successfully captured the title.  They must now compete against that same Columbus team this weekend in Louisville in addition to the rival Nashville Kangaroos, a veteran club with whom the Dockers have had many historic battles over the last decade.

Following the tournament, the Dockers will once again team up with the Louisville Kings to form the Ohio Valley River Rats, who will compete in the Championship Division in the Mid American Australian Football League (MAAFL).  Their first MAAFL game will be against Chicago United on May 16th at Point Pleasant Park in Fairfield, Ohio.

The Cincinnati Dockers are an Australian Rules Football club based out of Fairfield, Ohio. Established in 1996, they are the oldest club of its kind in the United States. Last year, the Dockers were co-winners of the USAFL division 4 national championship. For more information about the Dockers please visit their website at www.cincinnatidockers.com. To contact the Dockers, please send an e-mail to dockers@cincinnatidockers.com.

Watch The Silverbacks Live This Saturday On MCP TV

Troy, OH- The Miami County Post will telecast this Saturday’s Miami Valley Silverbacks professional indoor football game live from Fort Wayne, Indiana at 7:30pm on its exclusive on-page internet television channel: MCP TV.

The second game of a six-game television schedule, Saturday (April 25) will mark the first live broadcast for MCP outside of Miami County, as well as the Silverback’s fourth overall CIFL contest this season.

Calling the action this Saturday is Miami County Post founder & Publisher JT Szabo. Szabo, a Troy, Ohio native and professional sports broadcaster, most recently served as the “voice” of the ECHL’s Dayton Bombers on radio and television.

Saturday’s broadcast will begin at 7:30pm Eastern, and will be available immediately upon conclusion of the telecast “on-demand” through the video player menu. The game will also be rebroadcast in the MCP TV weekly programming rotation.

The Miami County Post, a free online community resource, provides it’s 24/7-365 Internet Television Channel names MCP TV free to all Internet visitors to www.miamicountypost.com without the need for downloads, buffering or media players.

For more information on The Miami County Post or MCP TV, contact JT Szabo at 937.916-7988or jtszabo@miamicountypost.com.

For more information on the Miami Valley Silverbacks, visit www.silverbacksfootball.com.

 

Bombers Equipment and Merchandise Sale at Kettering Rec Center This Sunday Afternoon

Fans, don’t miss your chance to purchase new or gently used hockey equipment worn by the Dayton Bombers Professional “AA” Hockey team!

What: Dayton Bombers Equipment and Merchandise Sale

When: This Sunday, April 26 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Where: Kettering Rec Center Ice Arena lobby - 2900 Glengarry Dr. Kettering, Ohio 45420 – call (937) 296-2587 or visit the website by clicking here.

Pick up practice jerseys, game jerseys, replica jerseys, shafts, blades and helmets at discounted prices! Many new items will be available as well. Adult sizes only.

Items include:

(2) Used Blademaster Glove Dryers $500 and $350
(2) Used Blademaster Riveter $250 each
OT Authentic Game Jerseys $75
New CCM and Reebok Player Pants $60 (Used $35)
New CCM and Reebok Gloves $60 (Used $30)
New RBK Helmets $60 (Used $30)
New Adults Elbow pads $60
New Adult shin pads $60
New CCM Tapered and Regular Shafts $50
Used skates $50
SP Replica Jerseys $50
New Sherwood and Reebok Goalie Sticks $40 (Used $20)
Lightly Used CCM, SP and Bauer Practice Jerseys $40
New Adult Shoulder pads $40
New Jofa Visors $30 (Used $5)
New Reebok Composite Blades $30 (Used $5)
Skate Blades $10
New Socks $10 (Used $5)
New Laces $2
Hockey Tape $1
Grip Tape $1

Bombers’ replica jerseys and select merchandise will also be available at discounted prices!

For more information on the Bombers’ Equipment and Merchandise Sale, please call (937) 775-4747.

Courtesy of the CIFL

TROY, Ohio—Wheeling claimed its first-ever victory in CIFL play on Sunday afternoon over the Miami Valley Silverbacks. Former Carolina Panther wideout Eugene Baker had 137 yards receiving in leading the Wildcats to a 52-28 victory over the Silverbacks at Hobart Arena in Troy, Ohio. Baker capped off the game with nine catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns, including a 30-yard score with less than a minute left in the contest to cap Wheeling’s scoring.

Miami Valley had a short-lived lead in the opening quarter of the contest thanks to a 20-yard field goal by Travis Johnson.

Wheeling answered with 20-unanswered points, taking a 20-7 lead with 7:53 left in the opening half. Rod Rutherford scampered in from five yards out to start the run and a Rutherford to Baker six-yard pass was the second score in the stretch.

Brandon Jackson’s eight-yard score capped the run.

Miami Valley’s Danny Mack closed out the scoring in the opening half when he hauled in a six-yard pass from Jeremy Greenleaf made it 20-10.

Jackson’s 17-yard score made it 26-10 in favor of Wheeling and Marcus Fails’ 13-yard score for the Silverbacks made it 26-16.

On the ensuing kickoff, Vaughn Rivers raced 53 yards to paydirt and, on the next Miami Valley possession, Eric Wicks picked off a Greenleaf pass and returned it 44 yards to make it 39-16.

Kenneth Gettis’ six-yard catch for the Silverbacks made it 39-22, but a Rutherford run and the Baker 30-yard score stretched the Wildcat lead to 52-22.

Miami Valley capped a fourth quarter that saw a combined 44 points scored on a Greenleaf to Fails 16-yard pass.

For Wheeling, Rutherford finished 15-of-22 for 198 yards and four touchdowns.

The Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team is proud to announce that former Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro Safety David Fulcher will be signing autographs at the Silverbacks game on Sunday April 19th at 3 pm at Hobart Arena.

David was a Strong Safety for the Cincinnati Bengals for 6 years and a three-time Pro Bowler (1989, 1990, and 1991). As part of the Bengals run to the Super Bowl in 1989, Fulcher was named the NFL's defensive back of the year. Fulcher's Bengal career highlights include 561 tackles, 27 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries and 2 touchdowns.

The David Fulcher Foundation serves local families who have loved ones afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis.

David Fulcher also runs the All Pro Sports Camp for youth football in Mason, Ohio, a camp he has run for the past 9 years.

Dayton Diamonds Women’s Football Team Announce Broadcast Partnership

Dayton, OH- The Dayton Diamonds women’s football team has announced a partnership with Troy-based The Miami County Post to telecast a majority of the team’s 2009 regular season schedule via the Internet. Games can be viewed on a taped delay at no cost at www.MiamiCountyPost.com

The announcement comes as the Diamonds prepare for their 2009 season opener at Indianapolis on Saturday, April 18. The Diamonds, founded in 2008, are a proud member of the Women’s Football Alliance and bring fast-paced women’s tackle football to the Miami Valley. Fans can learn more about the Diamonds at www.daytondiamonds.net

Miami County Post founder JT Szabo noted “It’s an opportunity for football fans  of all kinds to see the Diamonds and the rest of the WFA right from their own homes.” Szabo added “This is a wonderful chance to really support the Miami Valley’s only pro women’s tackle football team, as well as give back to the community with something they can’t find anywhere else.”

Fans can watch replays “on-demand” at no charge on The Miami County Post’s website, while games will be added to the daily programming on MCP TV.

Check the Miami County Post “what’s on” page for full details and complete Diamonds replay schedule*.

*broadcast schedule is subject to change

Founded in 2009 by local broadcast personality and Troy native JT Szabo, The Miami County Post provides locally-focused news, information and more to the residents of Miami County and beyond. In addition to the written content, The Miami County Post features a live, 24/7-365 internet TV channel aptly named MCP-TV. Viewers can watch streaming content from the homepage for free, without downloading or using an external media player.

The Dayton Bombers professional hockey team has announced the launch of an online auction site for official team merchandise.

The Bombers online store can be found at http://myworld.ebay.com/daytonbombershockey for your chance to bid on jerseys and other merchandise items!

Bidding will open on Wednesday, April 15 at approximately 7:00 PM EST with McDonalds specialty jerseys, 04-05 team autographed youth jerseys and other practice jerseys!

Merchandise will continue to be added throughout the coming weeks.

Items will include: autographed items, t-shirts, replica jerseys and novelty items such as game pucks.

Keep checking back for new additions at http://myworld.ebay.com/daytonbombershockey!

Miami Valley Silverbacks Announce Broadcast Partnership

Troy, OH- The Miami Valley Silverbacks professional indoor football team has announced a partnership with Troy-based The Miami County Post to telecast a majority of the team’s remaining regular season schedule live via the Internet. Games can be viewed at no cost at www.MiamiCountyPost.com

The announcement comes as the Silverbacks prepare for their 2009 home opener on Sunday at Troy’s Hobart Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for 3pm. Originally set to take 2009 CIFL the season off, the Silverbacks have returned to the turf in order to keep the balance of teams, after the preseason demise of a West Virginia franchise.

Miami County Post founder JT Szabo noted “It’s an opportunity for Silverbacks fans and football fans in general to remain connected to their hometown professional sports team, even while they play a mostly travel schedule in 2009.” Szabo, the former radio and television voice of the ECHL’s Dayton Bombers, will handle the game commentary as well. “This is a wonderful chance to really support Miami County’s only pro team, as well as give back to the community”

In addition to viewing the games live online, fans can watch replays “on-demand” at no charge on The Miami County Post’s website.

The 2009 Miami County Post Broadcast Schedule is as follows*:

April 19 at 3:00pm – vs Wheeling (from Hobart Arena)

April 25 at 7:30pm – at Fort Wayne

May 9 at 7:00pm – at Wheeling

May 17 at 3:00pm – vs Fort Wayne (from Hobart Arena)

May 23 at Wisconsin (Taped Delay – TBA)

June 13 at 7:30pm – at Marion

*broadcast schedule is subject to change

Founded in 2009 by local broadcast personality and Troy native JT Szabo, The Miami County Post provides locally-focused news, information and more to the residents of Miami County and beyond. In addition to the written content, The Miami County Post features a live, 24/7-365 internet TV channel aptly named MCP-TV. Viewers can watch streaming content from the homepage for free, without downloading or using an external media player.