Same Game; New Chapter: Undefeated.

Silver Bowl Championship 2011 Trophy!

I don't want to be the one to spoil the suspense, but we finished the season undefeated. On Saturday, June 11 the Kornmesser Rangers defeated the Swarco Raiders 2 by a score of 41-10 in a game that was not really ever in doubt. The Raiders over-achieved when they defeated a Vikings team to win the chance to appear in this game and were outgunned at every position. The character and maturity of this team carried the day (not to mention an offense that exploded for 41 points and dominated the opponents). Two-way starter (17-year old) Felix Schildorfer was named the MVP on a day when many big players stepped up to make big plays.

The offensive line of Schildorfer, Benny Rabb, Luki Seidl, Michael Losch, Phillip Tippow, and Robert (Drago) Dragotinits pushed the Raiders off the ball to enable Stefan Postel, Lars Gabler, Robert Holocher, and Martin Maw to run wild. Stefan also tossed a TD pass to the versatile Raphael Hackl (who also is our placekicker and starting Spike).

The defense had to adjust to an empty set and only gave up 3 points early and a TD late (against reserve players). At defensive end, Schildorfer(and Otamane Kabietadiko) played flawless defense containg the qb which had ripped us in the earlier meeting during the season. At noseguard, Martin Kucher pressured the center, causing numerous errant shotgun snaps which resulted in negative yards and were essentially sacks. Mike Graetz, Markus Bernas, and Franz Koloshar patrolled the hook-curl zones and middle of the field at linebacker with help from Armin Schneider and Ronny Haebler. The secondary was nearly flawless with the play of corners Ulrich Hoeger, Flo Seidl (and Clemens Burian). Defensive captain Fritz Limbeck and Bandit Andy Reiter played over the top, denying the long pass. Mentioned earlier, Raphie Hackl played his Spike position with great intensity. Drago and Phillip Tippow started the game off at NG and DE but were withdrawn for offensive duty (and the results are obvious- 41 points). Peter Reinthaler also chipped in, spelling Schildorfer for a few plays.

We allowed less than 10 return yards on kick off and zero return yards on punt. Our kickoff return was at its season-best and returned one for 48 yards courtesy of Robert Holocher. One of the two missed PATs was during this game but thankfully, it wasn't needed.

During the year, I witnessed great improvement from players as they took the time to participate in practices AFTER work and school. Not paid professionals, but playing for the love of the game, these Rangers showed these American coaches nothing but respect. They gave great effort and overcame obstacles in their collective ways. What they may have lacked in technical knowledge, they more than made up for in enthusiasm. They were patient while trying to understand "American" English and translated into German, things we wanted to were trying to impart. They are thirsty to learn and even the last week, were still picking up things they could apply to their game. To my frustration, often a simple adjustment would take many long minutes as they talked emphatically amongst themselves in German. I realized that they were assimilating the knowledge "on the run" and I then realized that this was a valuable time for immediate reinforcement to the learning.

Following the game, trophies to the respective teams were presented and medals were placed around the necks of each player, coach, manager, and trainer. Trays of Apple Strudel appeared on a table and everybody partook gratefully. Champagne was sprayed. Cigars were lit. And suddenly, beer and stronger libations appeared. An all-you-can-eat (and drink) buffet was sponsored by Kornmesser Jewelry and the schnitzel count for yours truly went up by 2. Let me just say this about the Austrians. They love life and need little provocation to party. This was no exception and everyone was all smiles as joy flooded the hall. Songs I never knew the words to were sung. Toasts were made. I circulated, receiving and giving out many "thank you" and "attaboys". As the celebration went from a meal to more liquid-oriented, Susan and I left the proceedings just as soon as socially acceptable, avoiding (wisely) the after-parties that followed.

Our Team President, Gerhard Brauer and his wife Manuella, spent countless hours preparing our team all season long, but especially, this day and its events. It went off flawlessly. It is evident how much love they have for this game for not many know how much behind the scenes work goes in to a football team. It is a quality organization from the top down. I will always be grateful to "Gersch", Coach Mathis Weinberger, and Kornmesser Jewelry for allowing Johnathan, Susan and myself to be part of this season. This may be hard for the reader to comprehend, but I was not always the sweet, warm, compassionate, tender, agreeable person that you have come to know. I DID, however, attempt to make any disagreement in private and always support my bosses in public. Coaches should air differences freely but then pull "as one" when the final decision is made.

In a game preceded with pyrotechnics and pageantry and played in perfect sunny weather, every Ranger lived up to the "clear heads-full hearts" yell that precedes every practice and game. I got in and took pictures of as much as I could. For I know, that eventually, after the warm glow of victory has faded, I will want to hold on to this experience a long while. I will want to ignore the conflicts and heartaches that beset any team through a long season. I will only want to smile and remember the journey, the people, the friends that I encountered; from a town of less than 300 people in Northwest Oklahoma, through 32 years in Southwest Oklahoma, to the Crossroads of Europe. I don't know what will happen next, but I have enjoyed this Same Game; New Continent.