Post by 50yardfan on Jun 22, 2011 23:38:05 GMT -5
www.nj.com/times-sports/index.ssf/2011/06/trenton_steel_head_coach_mille.html
Their season ended nearly 1,000 miles away from home with a playoff loss, but Trenton Steel head coach Rod Miller labels his Southern Indoor Football League team’s inaugural season an unqualified success.
The Steel’s season wrapped up Saturday night with a 62-60 loss at the Columbus (Ga.) Lions in an Eastern Conference semifinal. Reaching the playoffs was considered a significant accomplishment after the Steel opened the season with three straight losses.
They finished 8-5.
“What is really satisfying to me as a coach is that our guys bought into our program and did what we asked,” Miller said. “We really got a late start with a lot of things, but it all came together.
“Naturally, the playoff loss was disappointing, but we accomplished a lot. I thank everyone involved, the fans as well, for the support they gave us and everyone who made us feel welcome and part of the Greater Trenton area.”
The Steel averaged an announced 3,219 fans for each of their six home games, ranking second in the league.
The roster could change significantly when the Steel return to the Sun National Bank Center for their second season next year. It’s even possible the Steel could be in a different league because the 16-team SIFL, as the name suggests, is based in the South and lacks Northeast rivals for the Steel, who were grouped with Pennsylvania rivals Erie and Harrisburg in a three-team division.
Team president Andrew Bondarowicz and general manager Rich Lisk like the level of play in the SIFL. They just want to reel in the team’s expenses after a season in which the Steel had trips to Erie (two), Harrisburg (two), Richmond, Va., Fayetteville, N.C., and then the playoff loss in Georgia.
The Steel probably would want to bring back Mercer County products E.J. Nemeth and Eric Bullock, who, not surprisingly, were fan favorites.
Nemeth, from Notre Dame High, threw for 3,570 yards and 76 touchdowns and rushed for 29 touchdowns, including the playoffs. Bullock, another indoor football veteran, played a lot as a fullback and defensive end.
The team’s other standouts included wide receivers Dan Huffs and Oderick Turner, offensive linemen Mike Trice and Nate Tucker, defensive lineman Tyrell Zimmerman, defensive back Gladel Brutus and place-kicker Craig Camay, the best in the league at his position.
Nemeth, Huff, Tucker, Camay and defensive lineman Melik Brown are moving on to tryouts this week with the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul (5-9), who have four games remaining in their regular season. Turner declined the same invitation.
“A lot of guys came a long way and improved every week,” Miller said. “We started with a lot of guys who had never played the indoor game and adapted well.
“I can certainly call the season a success, especially considering (it was) a first-year team.’’
Their season ended nearly 1,000 miles away from home with a playoff loss, but Trenton Steel head coach Rod Miller labels his Southern Indoor Football League team’s inaugural season an unqualified success.
The Steel’s season wrapped up Saturday night with a 62-60 loss at the Columbus (Ga.) Lions in an Eastern Conference semifinal. Reaching the playoffs was considered a significant accomplishment after the Steel opened the season with three straight losses.
They finished 8-5.
“What is really satisfying to me as a coach is that our guys bought into our program and did what we asked,” Miller said. “We really got a late start with a lot of things, but it all came together.
“Naturally, the playoff loss was disappointing, but we accomplished a lot. I thank everyone involved, the fans as well, for the support they gave us and everyone who made us feel welcome and part of the Greater Trenton area.”
The Steel averaged an announced 3,219 fans for each of their six home games, ranking second in the league.
The roster could change significantly when the Steel return to the Sun National Bank Center for their second season next year. It’s even possible the Steel could be in a different league because the 16-team SIFL, as the name suggests, is based in the South and lacks Northeast rivals for the Steel, who were grouped with Pennsylvania rivals Erie and Harrisburg in a three-team division.
Team president Andrew Bondarowicz and general manager Rich Lisk like the level of play in the SIFL. They just want to reel in the team’s expenses after a season in which the Steel had trips to Erie (two), Harrisburg (two), Richmond, Va., Fayetteville, N.C., and then the playoff loss in Georgia.
The Steel probably would want to bring back Mercer County products E.J. Nemeth and Eric Bullock, who, not surprisingly, were fan favorites.
Nemeth, from Notre Dame High, threw for 3,570 yards and 76 touchdowns and rushed for 29 touchdowns, including the playoffs. Bullock, another indoor football veteran, played a lot as a fullback and defensive end.
The team’s other standouts included wide receivers Dan Huffs and Oderick Turner, offensive linemen Mike Trice and Nate Tucker, defensive lineman Tyrell Zimmerman, defensive back Gladel Brutus and place-kicker Craig Camay, the best in the league at his position.
Nemeth, Huff, Tucker, Camay and defensive lineman Melik Brown are moving on to tryouts this week with the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul (5-9), who have four games remaining in their regular season. Turner declined the same invitation.
“A lot of guys came a long way and improved every week,” Miller said. “We started with a lot of guys who had never played the indoor game and adapted well.
“I can certainly call the season a success, especially considering (it was) a first-year team.’’