ENTER THE BUCKLEY ERA
Your San Diego Forcers football season officially kicked off and what a start it was! Head Coach John Buckley secured his first win as a Head Coach and was the head of an amazing team performance that would lead to a very impressive 21-0 win over the visiting Los Angeles Grizzlies. Things were clicking on both sides of the ball as the offense and defense played their hearts out to ensure the game would end in a victory in their favor. When asked about what it was like to get this first win Coach Buckley gave all the credit to the players and staff- “It’s a great feeling, the guys deserved it, they put all the work in leading up to today. I am proud of them and honored to be a part of this.”
Coach Buckley was finally able to unleash his new offensive scheme against the Grizzlies and it could not have started in any better fashion. Within the first few plays of the first offensive possession, Quarterback JJ Carrell (US Border Patrol), would start the season with a perfect throw to Receiver Johnathan Gonzales (US Border Patrol) for a 63-yard catch and run for their first touchdown. The play happened so early and quickly that some fans were still entering the stadium and finding their seats! All more reason to make sure you do not miss even a second of Enforcers football. Throughout the first half Buckley’s offense would execute well after their opening touchdown drive and just before halftime QB JJ Carrell would have his touch down throw of the day on a quick pass to WR Derrick McCain (US Border Patrol). McCain would come in motion and leave his defender in the dust on a quick move, allowing for McCain to literally walk into the end zone untouched for the score. In the second half the Enforcers worked players in and out and were able to use their early lead to fine tune their offense and consistently put on good drives. This opportunity to fix some of the kinks that they were having will be very beneficial for future game, but overall the Enforcers offense looks ready to roll. The Enforcers offense is NASTY! With an assortment of athletes that can explode at any given second, any one with the ball in their hands has a chance to score. One of the unsung mvp’s of the day was running back Robert Lozano (SDSDP). He was inches from breaking away for multiple big plays and was a night mare on special teams showing off an impressive ability to play on both sides of the ball. With the O line making great blocks and opening everything up for the skill positioned players, the Enforcers offense is coming together quickly, and you can expect to see them lighting up the scoreboard even more as the season progresses.
If there was any one who doubted how good the Enforcers defense was after watching them in the scrimmage, those select few people became instant believers after the performance Coach Casey Bondoc's put on against the visiting Grizzlies. The first 5 offensive possessions for the grizzlies would end in a turn over or a punt. The “Darkside Defense” was ready to dominate from whistle to whistle and Coach Bondoc did not let off the gas pedal for one second. Even when the Grizzlies would begin to find some success or rhythm on the offensive side of the ball, The Enforcers would shut them down and stifle their opponents every single play. The core unit to the defensive success was the defensive line, they were creating problems all day for the Grizzlies and were the key reason to the shutout victory. It seemed almost every play, linemen Joseph Pellegrini (SDFD) and Emery Langley (SDPD). Between them, the pair had multiple sacks and were key parts in shutting down a lot of offensive drives. To no one’s surprise, Captain and defensive leader of the Enforcers defense, Matt Steinbach (SDPD) was letting his presence be known all day and was extremely disruptive for the Grizzlies offense. Steinbach would secure 3 interceptions as he was all over the field during every play. Steinbach wasn’t the only Enforcer defender with an interception, as Line Backer Maximo Hernandez (SDPD), and Corner Backs Thomas Taitague (Hemet PD) and Bobby Sanders (US Customs) would also come down with interceptions and adding their efforts to the shutout and domination of the visiting Los Angeles Grizzlies. A total and complete defensive effort that was put on was exactly what Coach Bondoc expected of his defense. He accredited the team’s defensive success to having a level mentality, “We didn’t get too high or too low, we stayed even keeled the whole game. That is so important to our success because it takes just one play to change a game, hats off to our men for staying consistent and being prepared.”
The San Diego Enforcers take the field again on March 23rd against the visiting Chicago Blaze. This game will be extra special for the Enforcers players and fans as it is the annual “Salute to Service” game. The San Diego Enforcers will be honoring men and women in public service as well as donating benefits to “Honor Flight San Diego”, a non-profit team of volunteers dedicated to escorting San Diego county Veterans to Washington DC to visit and reflect at the Memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice. Coach John Buckley feels his men will be prepared for the visiting Blaze, “We know what we do well, and we know what we need to clean up, our guys will be ready for this game. I expect an exceptional performance on March 23rd.
Kickoff will be at 1:30 pm at Cathedral Catholic High School, 5555 Del Mar Heights Road San Diego, CA 92130
We hope to see you there, in support of the San Diego Enforcers and Honor Flight San Diego
Don’t Blink When The Enforcers Take the Field
J.R. Oshima
Media Assistant
O Athletix