2010 Season Synopsis:
The New Jersey Wolves entered 2010 within the Big North East Football Federation (BNEFF) after completing the 2 prior seasons as a member of the Regional Atlantic Football League (RAFL) and recording an overall record of 21-10. The Wolves added several key additions in the off-season to compliment their returning veteran core. There was something different about this team. Full of talent, yet not the normal Wolves we have come to know; however, they did not need much time to impress. The season would be full of ups and downs but the Wolves would rise to occasion. After an explosive start by dominating their 2 non-league games versus the Flemington Generals (CFA) and the 2009 EFA Champion NY Rebels, they entered the season on a spark. The first game versus the NJ Spartans would rocked the boat but the Wolves regained control and pulled it threw. Next game was a year in waiting versus the NJ Lions at home and the outcome was utter disappointment. Two games later, the nemesis Brooklyn Mariners entered the Den and it was a dose of the same. The Wolves were shut out and left is disgust. They would continue to have issues at home through-out the season but seemed to be a different team when away from the Den. The Wolves would go 4-4 overall at home while recording an away record of 7-1. The Wolves accomplished a 4 game winning streak mid-season and it looked as if they had found their stride but returning home for the last 2 games of the season proved otherwise. They would lose the last two regular season games to the NJ Hawks & the Philadelphia Panthers by a total of 6 points combined.
The Wolves crawled into the playoffs to face the Hudson Valley Cowboys at the Wolves Den. Another home game but the focus was clear from the coin toss. The past was the past and now was the only thing that mattered. They would overcome the home field odds and handle the Cowboys in business-like fashion to advance. They would now have to face the #1 seeded NJ Lions who ejected them from the RAFL playoffs in 2009 and embarrassed them in the Den during the 2010 regular season. There was no other time but the present to merge as a Family...a true Wolf Pack! So it was...and in the Game of the Year, the Mighty NJ Wolves took down the Mighty New Jersey Lions in an action filled, emotional overtime thriller at the Lions' home field. The price of admission should of been tripled!
If there could ever be more of a storyline written it would be written in Round 3 of the BNEFF Playoffs when the Wolves visited their nemesis, the Brooklyn Mariners for the Empire Conference Championship. The Wolves remained a true pack and overcame years of play-off defeats by the hands of the Mariners. The Wolves would push the brink of defeat into another overtime and come forth standing high. The New Jersey Wolves finally conquered the Mariners and claimed the BNEFF Empire Conference Championship. Those 2 weeks of road playoff football could never be more emotionally driven for any team. Lions and Mariners made prey! The Wolves advance to the BNEFF Championship Game to face the Chambersburg Cardinals.
Game by Game Synopsis:
Flemington Generals @ NJ Wolves
The season went underway when a familiar foe arrived at the long standing Wolves Den (Seidler Field). This was a well anticipated match-up between the Flemington Generals and the NJ Wolves. There would be no let down at the Den. In a game where the Wolves flexed their might in all phases of the game, there was no question that 2010 would be a year to remember. The wolf pack dominated the game and barely allowed the Generals any first downs, while the offense picked up exactly where they left off the previous season with QB Mark Johnson distributing the ball to veteran WR Jamelle Pyles and several others for a potent air attack. Rookie WR Sheldon Nunn contributed by scoring his first touchdown as a wolf. Wolves recorded the season's first defensive shut out. Final: Wolves 30 - Generals 2
New York Rebels @ NJ Wolves
Next up was the always tough defending 2009 EFA Champions, the New York Rebels. The Rebels entered the gates of the Den only as champions would...full of confidence. This was clear from the very first series as they unleashed a powerful and seeming unstoppable running game on the Wolves defense. This was a true test and the Wolves answered the call. The Rebels drove the entire field and entered the Wolves' 10 yd line. The saying of "bend but don't break" was never more true. The Wolves forced a fumble and returned it 91 yds for a score by SS Ray Meyers. The tide was turned and the defensive scoring added up with another score by LB Tashaun Huff on an interception return. The offense added two more scores behind the tough running of Darrell Luck and a sound passing attack led by QB Mark Johnson. Final: Wolves 27 - Rebels 8
NJ Spartans @ NJ Wolves
After somewhat stunning the Minor League community with such dominance over the defending 2009 EFA champions, the Wolves entered the 2010 regular season on a high note and a bit overly confident. The guard was apparently let down when facing the New Jersey Spartans who the Wolves have previously dominated. The Spartans came to play and pushed the Wolves near the edge of defeat. In a back and forth game the Spartans never laid down. In the final minutes of the game, victory looked far from near as the Spartans led 14 - 12. With less the 2 minutes left in the game, the Wolves put the game in the hands of their leader, QB Mark Johnson who undauntedly drove the team to victory and finally concluding it with a 15 yds touchdown pass to WR Ryan Young with 40 seconds remaining. The Spartans could not rebound. Final: Wolves 19 - Spartans 14
NJ Lions @ NJ Wolves Up next was what many thought would be the Game of the Year. Instant in-state rivals meet again. Lions vs Wolves! The Lions knocked the Wolves out of the play-offs the previous season in a nail biter that the Wolves refused to swallow. The Lions entered the fan filled Den as a marked, but well respected rival. The atmosphere and tension resembled a playoff game but more importantly, there were serious Divisional implications. The Lions shot out the gate and took advantage of an overly aggressive Wolves defense. Several Wolf errors became unsurmountable, causing them to fall behind as the Lions capitalized. The Wolves fell behind and the offense became stagnant due to the constant pressure of the Lions! Wolves suffer first home defeat of the season. Final: Lions 24 - Wolves 7 |
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NJ Wolves @ NEPA Miners The Wolves mended their wounds and headed out on a road trip to North East PA to face the NEPA Miners. The past was in the past, yet the Wolves may not of taken their mind off the previous week as they took on a young, hungry Miners team in the scenic mountains of Scranton, Pa. In a game where the defense struggled, the Wolves' strong offense had their back. Late in the 4th the Miners took a two score lead which left the Wolves staring at each other in disgust but again, a leader within the pack stood tall. QB Mark Johnson methodically rose to the occasion to bring the Wolves from behind to shock the Miners. Johnson willed the Wolves to a late 4th quarter lead but with time on the clock, the young Miners, displayed no lack of faith as they drove the field seeking to tie the game. This book was abruptly closed as defensive leader, Tashaun Huff intercepted a Miners pass to end the game. Final: Wolves 34 - Miners 27 |
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Brooklyn Mariners @ NJ Wolves
The Wolves return to the Den to welcome their nemesis, the Brooklyn Mariners. Rival from day one! This game may have been one of the most bizzare encounters between the Mariners and the Wolves. In a game that may have been overshadowed by numerous questionable referee calls on both teams, this was still an epic meeting. Both defenses stood strong. Both offenses moved the ball well but could not capitalized with points. Just before the half, a botched punt leaves the Mariners within striking distance and they took advantage of the favor by scoring the games lone touchdown. The 2nd half was more of the same...stingy defenses and more questionable calls that agitated the crowd. In the end, the Wolves fell short and suffered a home field shut out. Final: Mariners 10 - Wolves 0
NJ Wolves @ NJ Battle With another familiar foe in the way, the Wolves make a short trip to take on the NJ Battle. On a perfect day with a nice size crowd in Warren, NJ; the Wolves sought to attack any prey in sight. Two earlier season losses for the Wolves have increased the tension and forced the Battle to become victims. The Wolves arrive with an all business attitude. Dominance from the start accompanied by an unyielding pass rush that fluttered the Battles' offense. The defensive line (comprised of DEs: David McLean & Chai Adams and DTs: Nick Peroune & Dion Hackett) out right over-matched the Battle offensive line, forcing their offense to crumble with no option of run or pass. In addition, the Wolves offense caught fire causing the Battle to have no chance. Wolves recorded another defensive shut out; however, the Battle did make it on the board with an interception returned for a touchdown on the last play of the game. Final: Wolves 21 - Battle 6 |
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NJ Wolves @ Westchester Packers On the road again: the Wolves headed to the Empire State to visit the Westchester Packers in Yonkers, NY. On a blistering hot day, the Wolves suffered from the heat and were only more agitated by the Packers. The long standing Packer team did all they could to convince themselves that they could withstand the bite of the Wolves. A sluggish perfomance by the Wolves only gave the Packers reasonable faith; however, it was short lived. This entire match-up was in favor of the Wolves and apparently, the stonger opponent was the heat. After a slow start, the Wolves kicked it into gear behind the powerful legs of RB Darrell Luck and as he ripped away at yards, the Packer charge diminished. The Wolves' defense stiffened as SS Ray Meyers recorded a sack and forced fumble leading to a defensive score by DT Dion Hackett on the fumble recovery. Even in victory, it was an unsatisfying and underachieving performance for the Wolves. Final: Wolves 27 - Packers 6 |
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NJ Wolves @ Va Trojans
Plainfield, NJ to Virginia Beach, VA. Quite a long trip, but well worth it. The Wolves headed into this game knowing it would be a challenge being that they were facing one of the league's highest scoring offenses. Unfortunately for the Trojans, the Wolves did not intend on returning home after such a long trip without a win. In this game, the Wolves' offense moved the ball at will but struggled with finishing scoring drives. With 2 fumbles within 5 yards of the goal line, it was very frustrating; however, the defense would not break. The Wolves defense maintained pressure on the strong Trojan offense. Finally, In game that seemed like there would never be a score, QB Mark Johnson broke the drought by connecting on a TD pass to put the Wolves on the score board (missed extra point). This may of been one of the Wolves' most dominant defensive performances when considering the strength of the Trojans' offense. The Wolves would only allowed a field goal. With the Wolves up by three and recording several sacks on the Trojans quarterback, there had to be changes made. The Trojans inserted a more mobile QB which had the Wolves running in circles but there was not enough time for the Trojans complete a come back. Both defenses were extremely stingy and on this day a lone touchdown proved to be just enough. Final: Wolves 6 - Trojans 3
NJ Wolves @ NJ Stags Back home in Jersey but not in the Den. The Wolves head north to face a strong Stags team who ranked near the top of the league offensively. This game would end up being one of the Wolves' most complete performances this season. On a perfect day in a well designed stadium, with a nice size crowd, the Wolves would put on a show and flex their muscle. Both sides of the ball for the Wolves controlled the game. The Wolves defense would only allow 1 touch down resulting from a broken play. Aside from that, they would overpower the finesse offense of the Stags. On offense, the Wolves equally ran and passed their way to victory. The Stags would never lay down and challenged many drives but could not overcome a Wolves team working together as a true pack. Seemingly becoming road warriors, the Wolves put away another quality opponent. Wolves' extend winning streak to four. Final: Wolves 19 - Stags 7 |
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Bergen Hawks @ NJ Wolves The Wolves return home on a 4 Road Game winning streak to face the defending BNEFF 2009 Champions. This appeared to be mismatch in the Wolves' favor. The offense started the game bit sluggish but by halftime the Wolves led 14 - 0. The Wolves seemed to be on their way to extending their winning streak, but the scrappy Hawks team would continue to fight to the very end. The second half was full of Wolves' penalties and miscues that the Hawks would take advantage of. While backed up in their own end zone, the Hawks capitalized on an overly aggressive Wolves defense by connecting on a 97 yard screen pass for TD that went up the sideline to put them on the board. A late game Wolves fumble on their own 30 yd line gave the Hawks the needed opportunity to upset the Wolves. They would drive the ball into the end zone for a touchdown against the stunned Wolves defense. Instead of going for the tie, they rolled the dice and caught the Wolves off guard with a quick snap and ran in for a 2pt conversion. The Hawks came to the Den, silenced the Wolf howl, and handled their business. Final: Hawks 15 - Wolves 14 |
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Philadelphia Panthers @ NJ Wolves
The Panthers visited the Den as one of the stronger teams in the Keystone Conference with a rich tradition of power football. From the first series it appeared the Wolves would be in for a serious fight as the Panthers ran the ball non-stop on possibly a 15-20 play drive for a scored. The night would be a heavy dose Panther running and each offensive would put up serious points while both defenses struggled to match the offensive intensity. The last team to score would definitely take the W' home. Unfortunately, the Panthers where the last to score and the Wolves ran out of time in their final drive. This was a hard-nose game that displayed efficient offenses; however, the other side of the ball for each fell short of being impressive. Final: Panthers 34 - Wolves 29
2010 BNEFF Playoffs
Hudson Valley Cowboys @ NJ Wolves
More to follow. Check back later...
