By Matthew Achstatter
You've done it.
Most of us would have trouble handling the pressure of playing in front of such a large crowd. But the young players did just fine, playing a friendly 8-minute halftime exhibition scrimmage in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Nov. 31 Jets-Broncos game at the Meadowlands. For those on the field dreaming of a professional football career, it was certainly a dream come true.
The event was organized by Christos Spirou, President of the Oceanside Stallions Football League, along with Mike Alperstein, Jets' Youth Coordinator from USA Football, a not-for-profit organization that provides youth athletic coaching services for adults nationwide. This was the first time the Jets invited area youth football teams to play on the field during halftime. But given the fact that the Stallions have already been invited back next year, Spirou is hoping this was the kick-off of an annual Oceanside tradition.
The opposing team - New Jersey's North Hunterdon Junior Lions-had been practicing and playing together as a team since July. The Oceanside team, on the other hand, was an amalgam of 12-year-old senior level players who had just graduated out of the League. Pulled from all four Stallions teams - the Bears, Giants, Jets and Redskins - the 22 players had the benefit of only two practices together before the big event. They were readied for their professional gridiron debut by Stallion coaches Pat Doherty, Omar Kingston, Tom Forkin and Bob Transom with Stallions head referee Joe Migliano and Stallions chairman Frank LaMagna.
The 45-degree, rain-soaked weather was far from perfect for the young athletes. But a surprisingly large crowd was in attendance. Instead of regulation rules, both teams were given the opportunity to run 10 offensive and 10 defensive plays. No score was kept, but the Stallions performed impressively. The defense sacked the Lions quarterback three times while the offensive unit gained yardage at will against a tough Hunterdon defense.
Not many people have played football in front of such a crowd. But now some Oceanside youngsters can make that claim. "It was scary at first," according to Craig Transom, defensive tackle for the Stallions' Jets. "But after that, it was exciting...It was surreal!"
Photos courtesy Betsy Transom
