Football Season Kicks Off
American tackle football made its official debut this weekend as the new Israel Football League (IFL) kicked off its regular season. On Friday, Big Blue Jerusalem powered past Dancing Camel HaSharon 46-18 in front of some 250 spectators at Kraft Family Stadium inJerusalem. One Saturday, Real Housing Haifa outlasted Mike’s Place Tel Aviv 27-20 in a gridiron matchup at Kibbutz Ein Hashofet. Big Blue never trailed as they turned four interceptions into scores as a close contest was turned into a route.
Yonah Mishaan, Gai Van Straten, David Sidman and Adam Lember each had a pickoff for
the victors. On the offensive side, Moshe Horowitz had both a running and a receiving touchdown, and Yoni Lehrer had two td receptions. Aryeh Bauman and Uri Schiff shared the quarterbacking duties and combined for four td tosses and 16 completions in 26 attempts. Mike Levy and Johan Tynell led the often potent Dancing Camel attack on the ground and in the air.
At Ein Hashofet Mike’s Place Tel Aviv seemed to outplay Real Housing HaSharon, but lost due to a failure to score in the “red zone” while Haifa capitalized on each Tel Aviv mistake. Real Housing roared to a 19-6 halftime lead behind 3TD tosses by Ori Shterenbach including two to Roey Zivand one to Rubin. Mike’s Place dominated much of the second half action as Adi Hakimi hooked up with Amit Benvenisti and Assaf Katz scampered on a 25 yard score. But it was too little and too late for Tel Aviv as Haif held
on for victory.
During the regular season each of the league’s 4-teams will play 9 games. The Israel Bowl championship game will take place on March 28, 2008. Two games were held during the opening weekend, but most weeks only one game will be played. IFL Commissioner Eric Amkraut expressed satisfaction with the opening games performances. “We must keep in mind that these are all Israelis, and not imported professional players. They performed very well considering that the players are still very much in a learning curve in their skill
development.”
AFI President Steve Leibowitz said he was pleased with attendance and with the overall operation of the games. “Its very important to us that a growing number of Israeli fans will come out to see, and support our league. This is not only for American immigrants, but rather a game that we hope Israelis will grow to understand and appreciate. What we are
striving to do is to demonstrate a high level of sports, in an environment that will be conducive for the fans to watch. I think we reached our goal for week one.
Coinsiding with the season opener, the IFL launched its newly designed websites. Full coverage of league activities can be followed at www.ifl.co.il and through the AFI website at www.israelfootball.net
Next Friday, Dancing Camel HaSharon will host Real Housing Haifa. The game will be played at noon on Friday, November 23rd. at the Baptist village in Petach Tikva in the Yarkon Sports Complex. League organizers have dubbed the event “The Thanksgiving
Bowl,” and urged fans to come out with their boxed turkey dinners.
great post! who wrote this?