The East Coast Reapers hosted their first preseason scrimmage game against the Lauderdale Lions. Although this was a controlled scrimmage predicated to getting a good look at the 2008 season rookies, it was a great test and a pretty competitive game. For the new comers, such as 6’2, 195lb QB Ryan Wisecarver a graduate of Youngstown State and a Division II Conference Champion ring holder, this stage gave him a chance to get his feet wet and show what he could do, which he wasted no time in doing by hooking up on a 45 yard touchdown strike to rookie receiver Chancy Williams. He also had a 15 yard pass for a touchdown to rookie running back Keith Askins, scored on a two point conversion QB sneak and lead rookie running back Moses Johnson in to the end zone on an option play. All in all the Reapers walked away with team Grade of a "C" and a win. The offense graded out at a "B+". There were some leaks in the O-line and missed blocking assignments from the backs. For the most part, they held up quite well and gave the QB plenty of time to run in most situations.

Now the defense graded out at just that a "D". It was a "Trial by fire" for some of the rookie DBs as they were torched for 4 touchdowns thru the air. "It was just what some of these guys needed. It showed them that this isn’t high school football which a lot of them are used to. Hopefully they learned that their going to have to put in work. Trust me it gets a lot tougher than this" said owner Chris McIntosh.

The defense did step up and cause a turnover that they recovered in the end zone for a touchdown which is always a positive.

The Reapers host the Lions on November 10^th, 2007 for their second annual Turkey Bowl game. A game, in which last season, saw the Lions overcome a miraculous 32 point halftime deficit to beat the Reapers 35-34. The lines have been drawn. The Reapers are looking for some payback and trying to bring the trophy back to Palm Beach County while the lions are looking to keep it in Broward County for another 12 months. Veteran linebacker Lance Branham said "We lost focus last season and let up off the pedal because we had such a big lead. But I guarantee you, it won’t happen again. We are focused and very hungry this year and it starts on the 10^th of November." Woo!! Sounds like a game to see! Let’s hope so. Until then….

Peace,

Wayne "The Island Man 08" Hoyte