Live, from local gridirons, it's youth football!

Commentary

By Patrick Gurczynski

Mid-Valley Sports

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to another exciting installment of Sunday afternoon football. I'm Patrick Gurczynski, alongside my play-by-play color man Joey Burnitz, to bring you a pivotal game between the AFC rivals Bills and Chiefs.

A sparse crowd is on hand at Memorial Stadium as we prepare for these two offensive powerhouses to do battle. I ask you Joey, could ask for a more beautiful day for football?"

"No, Patrick I couldn't. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and cool wind is blowing in from the west end zone that will be sure to negate any kicking advantage between these two teams."

"As the players take the field, I'm reminded Joey, just how far both these teams have come over the course of the season. In their first year of existence, the Chiefs have flourished under first year head coach Bryan Hovelsrud. After a stint at South Albany High School, Hovelsrud faced his toughest test to date, taking over this young and inexperienced Chiefs roster. I sat down with Hovelsrud earlier in the week and asked him about the challenge."

"This league is not real competitive. It's just an instructional league that forces you to really develop your players and get them to stay involved. I really want to develop an interest in it."

"When I asked him about the safety of his youthful roster, Hovelsrud had this to say: 'Because they don't travel very fast, they're not likely to get real hurt. The biggest injuries we've had from our team are just bumps and bruises.' "

"Coach Hovelsrud makes a good point Patrick. Statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission show that athletes are slightly more at risk playing soccer than they are football."

"Good call, Joey. Before the teams kickoff let's drop in with our sideline reporter Jason Bourne, and see what the mood is along the sidelines."

"Thanks, Patrick. Because this is the last game of the season between both teams, there is a sense of urgency in the air. Both players and coaches are on edge down here. To give you an example, when Chiefs player Crew Clarke received his water bottle from his mother he was outraged to find that it was half gone. He demanded to know who drank his water and when no one stepped forward he stormed back onto the field. I feel sorry for any Bills player that gets in his way today."

"Yikes, thanks Jason. We'll be returning to you periodically throughout the game.

"It seems that tempers are already flaring, Joey, and we've yet to kick this one off. We'll take a short break and when we return, it's the Chiefs power running game against Bills souped up passing attack. You're watching the Ultimate Football Network."

Pop Warner currently provides football experience for over 300,000 kids in 42 states. The Albany area is already home to two teams with kids from Albany, Corvallis, and Lebanon. The league is hoping to expand into five teams next year, and also grow into the Corvallis and Lebanon areas.

"We're back, and we're ready to kick this one off. Bills are deep to receive and it's a booming 11-yard kick to start this game off. The Bills drop the kick and there is no yardage on the return."

Bennett McKee under center for the Bills. He hands off to tailback Taylor Travess for 12-yard gain!"

"What an amazing job reading the up field blocking by Travess on that play, Patrick. He saw the free safety playing with his mouthpiece and was able to capitalize on the short attention span."

"Right you are Joey. Let's check in with Jason who has an update on what happened with the defense."

"Well Patrick, it seems that many of the Chiefs players are complaining that they are being tripped by the Bills players. If it was me, I would say that Travess' blazing speed is just too much for the Chiefs inexperienced defense. Back to you Patrick."

"Thanks Jason. On first down McKee drops back, checks off the safety, throws a deep 6-yard pass to Travess who's open down field. He makes the catch and is off to the races ... touchdown Bills!"

"What happened on that play, Joey?"

"Well it's a wonder that McKee can even see over his own blockers, but he manages to escape the fierce rush and launch the ball a good six or seven yards to a wide open Travess who is just able to use his speed and get into the end zone. Just an amazing game of throw and catch by the Bills."

"After an unsuccessful two-point conversion, the Bills line up for the kick off."

"Before they kick off, Patrick, I'd like to share with you a conversation I had with Stacey Hovelsrud, wife of the head coach and mother of Alex, the starting wide receiver. After an initially becoming a strong opponent of tackle football she became a major proponent by the end of the season. When asked about her reservations, she had this to say: 'He (Alex) was not going to play period. He's still my 9-year-old baby that I tuck in every night. After a big time sales pitch from his father I sat Alex down and explained to him the dangers of playing tackle football, but he was adamant in that he wanted to play."

"With a season under their belt, Stacey now fully supports the Pop Warner program."

"I see a tremendous boost in his confidence and self esteem. Instead of Sundays being cartoon and pancakes day, it's game day. He just loves it."

"So you see, Patrick, you're never to young to start playing football."

"I agree Joey, these kids and coaches have been great ambassadors for the game. I'm looking forward to a wave of enthusiasm to sweep over Linn and Benton counties toward Pop Warner. I wouldn't be surprised to see five or six area teams arrive next season."

"That's right Patrick, but you're forgetting one thing."

"What's that Joey?"

"The Bills have just kicked off and the Chiefs are driving."

"Right you are, Joey. Back to the action ..."

Patrick Gurczynski can be reached at 758-9512 or patrick.gurczynski@lee.net.