Article - submitted by Garel 9/1/2009

                            BJR Varsity game

         Turnovers loom large in BJR Varsity loss to Lions; BJR’s Patterson runs wild….

Despite Brunswick running back Daniel Patterson running wild against Walkersville on Saturday, the  hosting Lions used the gift of five turnovers to get into the end zone on three occasions, the last time snapping a 12 - 12 knotted score in the final session on the way to downing the Junior Railroader varsity team by an 18 to 12 score.

“We beat ourselves by turning the ball over five times in a game lost by six points,” were the words of Brunswick Varsity Head Coach James Thompson.  “We kept ourselves in the game and seemed to move the ball at will until we would shoot ourselves in the foot with a fumble or an interception.  We threw three interceptions and one of those was returned eighty yards for a touchdown20after the ball went through one of our receivers hands; we also lost the grip on the football five times and lost two of those fumbles.”

Walkersville put up the game’s first points by taking the opening ball possession and putting together of march of 60 yards to score, missing out on the extra point attempt the Lions led it 6 - 0. 

came up with an answer to deadlock the score count at 6 - 6 when Patterson took off for an exciting 76 yard gallop to pay dirt.

Walkersville would regain the game lead when they returned an intercepted pass for a touchdown.  “The Lions snatched the lead back when their defensive  cornerback intercepted an Adam Fitzwater pass and returned it seventy - six yards for the score,” was the way Coach Thompson described it.

  Opening play in the second half the Railroaders Kyle Coats thrilled the Brunswick faithful by taking the second half kick and proceeded to dazzle the Walkersville kick - off team as well as the fans in the stands by going through and around Walkersville would - be tacklers for 82 yards to find the pot of gold that resides in the end zone.  Game all deadlocked again, this time at 12 - 12.   The score would remain tied until the hosting Lions scored the game winning touchdown during play in the fourth session.

“Our defense played a great game and we were led by Jensen Foster with fifteen tackles,” said Coach Thompson.  “First ye ar player and our Nose Guard, Evan Windsor, had seven tackles and a quarterback sack.  Some of the other BJR players with tackles included Trae’Vaughn Harris with three and David Schneide, RJ Foster and Kyle Coats with two.”

Patterson finished the bout with 241 total yards from scrimmage, more than the entire Walkersville offense according to Coach Thompson.. Patterson ran the ball 13 times to pick up 203 yards in the Brunswick running game and caught the only pass completion by the Railroaders for 38 yards.  Harris ran the pigskin for 43 yards off 10 carries.  Jensen Foster ran it for 10 yards.

“Other than the five fumbles and three interceptions we played a great game,” suggested Coach Thompson following the game.  “The defense and the offensive line played a great game, but if we can’t protect the ball we are going to have a tough time beating anyone.”

The setback left the BJR varsity team standing with a 1 and 1 season record and a meeting against

coming this Saturday at the Brunswick Sports Complex.

=============

                       BJR Junior Varsity games

:Penalties, turnovers and Walkersville D costly in Division One JV loss

The Brunswick Junior Varsity teams played Walkersville a pair of games last Saturday, the Division One BJR team fallin g 25 to 2 while the Division Two game turned out much better for the Brunswick squad, victory coming the Railroaders way late in the contest with the game‘s only scoring.

In the Division One JV quarrel it was penalties, turnovers and not being able to establish a strong running  game against the Walkersville defense  proving to be the most costly in the 23 point setback. 

had 100 yards in penalties, and 4 turnovers and ran the pigskin for 40 yards while suffering the 25 to 2 loss.

By contrast the Walkersville Lions team had 4 penalties whistled during the tiff and turned the ball over twice.

The game was a scoreless one until the second quarter when the Lions struck quick and hard for 13 markers.  The host team then added on 6 points in both of the two periods of play in the latter half.

Walkersville built a 19 - 0 lead before the Railroaders scored their points, a two - point safety, in the fourth and final session of the ruckus.  The Lions had intercepted a

pass and were deep in their own territory when the entire

defense attacked and caught the Walkersville running back in the end zone for the two - point safety.  “Our entire defensive line and several of our defensive backs were in on the play,” offered JV team Assistant Coach Mark Capstick of the play.

“We started off good against Walkersville by not allowing any points in the first quarter,:” recalled Capstick .  “In the second quarter they scored on a good play.  We had a chance to come back at them but made a mistake on the ensuring kick - off and let them gain possession of the football and score on us just a few minutes before the half.  In the second half of the game our frustration and tempers got the best of us.  We ended up making too many mistakes to recover. The team gave a lot of effort today but still fell short.  We are all very proud of the team but Assistant Coach Cy Ingraham put it best when he told the players we need to work on team discipline, focus and courage.”

Team leaders on the

defense in tackles made were Ryan Capstick and Chris Romesburg  with 4 knockdowns apiece.  Ryan Wilson had 3 tackles with one of those a quarterback sack and he also recovered a Lions’ fumble.  Brain Munday and Cody Mahoney each had 3 takedowns and Seth Wagner had 2 tackles and recovered a fumble.

Romesburg’s 12 yards running with the ball topped Railroader ball carriers.  Bobby Cunningham picked up 7 yards and Justin Walls and  Dougie Pearl 6 yards each against a stout Walkersville defense.

In the passing department it was a Pearl to Romesburg completion worth 17 yards and a

                   &n bsp;     Newman scores lone points as JV Div. Two team wins first game

Kyle Newman’s one - yard run in the fourth and final quarter were the only points scored in the Junior Varsity Division Two game between the Railroaders and the Lions on Saturday.   Newman’s touchdown and the Brunswick defense made those six points stand up for a 6 - 0 triumph for the BJR junior varsity Division Two team in the Lion’s Den; it was the first game of the season for the Division Two Railroader team..

This was a game that remained scoreless until the fourth session, a back and forth defensive struggle keeping fans on both sides on the edge of their respective seats.  Enough praise cannot be handed to those players playing on the defensive side of the football.

Newman’s points came after Mason Rogers came up huge, blocking a Walkersville punt to give the Junior Railroaders great field possession.  It took but three plays before the

team to found pay dirt in the form of Newman one yard run to the end zone.

Newman also led the Garnet and Gold in rushing during the squabble, gaining 61 yards on just 4 carries of the pigskin.  Other yardage over land was gained by Austin Eubank getting 10 yards, Alec Lewis going for 9 and Namudi Okoye and Devon Mallory each picking up 4 yards.

“Our defense was very much alive today,” was the way Division Two Coach Mark Capstick described the BJR defense after it had pitched the shutout victory.  “We pushed Walkersville backwards and we forced turnovers.  Our offense executed plays very well and moved the ball against a strong Walkersville team.  Along with some key defensive plays, we need to acknowledge the outstanding performance of our offensive line.  Our players worked hard all day to enable us to  secure this win.!”

Leading the Junior Railroaders in tackles while notching the win was Namudi Okoye and Devon Mallory with 4 by each.  Coach Capstick pointed out also how Okoye applied pressure on the Lions quarterback for much of the tussle.  Mason Rogers, Keanu Bailey, Josh Sweeny and Kyle Newman all were credited with 2 knockdowns and  of course it was

coming up with the key play of blocking the Walkersville punt which led to the only scorning of the game.

================================

                 BJR Mini Pony Division Two game at Walkersville

Highlighting the Brunswick Junior Railroader Mini Pony Division Two or B game at Walkersville last Saturday was Chase Ebberts going 30 yards to score a touchdown. 

Brunswick Team B Coach Matthew Hull also reported that Aubrey Smothers recovered a Walkersville fumble and ran it all the way to the end zone for a score.  Smothers finished the tussle with 3 solo tackles on defense.

===========3 D========

                   BJR Flag teams have good games versus Walkersville

The two Brunswick Junior Railroader Flag football teams, the youngest squads within the BJR Organization, turned out fine performances at Walkersville on Saturday; giving the home standing Lions all they wanted in the thick humidly of the day.

Brunswick’s Team One featured a balanced offense against the Lions with four different players scoring touchdowns.  Those reaching the end zone were Max Bucynski and Chris Payne, both covering 30 yards on their scoring plays while Brandon Naylor crossed the goal line on a run of 25 yards and Ethan Grossnickle placed a 20 yard gallop to pay dirt into the Mountain Valley Youth Football League books.

Those Railroaders doing a real solid job blocking for the BJR running backs were Grant Fowler, Hunter Jacobs, Josh Barrett and Isaiah Artist.

For the Team One defense it was a game where they allowed but two scores against:  Leading Brunswick’s play on the defensive side of the line were Brandon Naylor who was credited with 4 flag pulls and both Hunter Jacobs and Chris Payne garnering 3 flag pulls.  Others placing marks in the flag pull column were James Strine, Camrin Morgan, James Harich, Josh Barrett, Ethan Grossnickle and Max Bucynski.

“It was nice to see the way all our players were flying to the football,” commented BJR Flag team coach John=2 0Strine following Saturday’s games.

BJR Team Two visits end zone 7 times

Brunswick’s Team Two offense was on the mark, finding the end zone 7 times against hosting Walkersville. .  Ryan Pretlow posted a pair of touchdown runs for the young Railroaders, one going for 30 yards and the other for 25.  Husoi Ithalasay and Blake Asbury each tallied twice as both scored on a pair of 30 yard gallops to pay dirt.  Also crossing the Lions goal line were Christopher McCartney; his run to the house came on a 30 yard run.

On the defensive of the game the Junior Railroader team allowed but two scores and was led by the 6 flag pulls pulled off by Christopher McCartney.  Both Jayden Montgomery and Ryan Pretlow had 3 pulls.  Adarius Fauble, Michael Guglielmone, Zack Acker and Jackson Acker and Husoi Ithalasay also figured in the Team Two defense with flag pulls.

“Great job guys and keep up the good work,” was the way Flag Coach John Strine praised his team following the victory.

First home games on - tap this Saturday at

This Saturday the BJR football teams will be playing their first home games of the season, these games featuring the Brun swick teams will be will follow two earlier tiffs in the Division 2 play at the Brunswick Sports Complex.

Beginning at 8:00AM the Middletown One Div.2 team will play the Walkersville Two Div. 2 team in a PONY contest.  This to be followed by another Division Two game between Middletown One and

at 9:15Am in a JV tilt.

Then the Brunswick Flag teams will be on the field against

,PONY and Middletown, Junior Varsity and Middletown and finally the Varsity game between the Junior Railroaders and the Junior Knights.

The youth football parade which was to be held this Friday evening has been changed to October 9th, the day before the BJR homecoming game at Brunswick High School

.

Brunswick Junior Railroader Program gearing - up for coming grid campaign

Player Registrations announced below, plus improvements, changes and additions

The Brunswick Junior Railroader youth football organization has announced ’Player Registration’ dates and times for the coming youth football season next fall and there have been some other important things going on as well as key events coming up in our area youth football program.

There have been several changes taking place and plenty of other things making the off - season a busy time for the long standing (since early 70s) gridiron program for the youth. One change for the BJR organization is that it is now sponsoring the cheerleading program again; sponsoring both football and cheerleading. Ten years or so back the Cheering and Football were parts of the BJR organization, but for whatever reasons, decided to go separate ways . Some may not even have known about the splitting of the two, now it will be back as it once was, all under the same umbrella.

"With all the changes going on we have decided it would be beneficial to both organizations if we got back under one umbrella," said longtime BJR President Tim Harris recently. "So football and cheering are under one banner for BJR again. We think this is great for both organizations and will allow us to build a better organization for the kids. We also now have two VP’s, one for Football, Nathan Shaffer, and one for Cheerleading, Tammy Smith. We are also introducing Flag Cheerleaders this year for the four to six year olds." Below in this column you’ll find the youngsters ages for the respective football and cheering teams.

Other things holding interest while improving the organization overall is that the youth football group has began working closely with the Brunswick High School football Coaches; this should be more than beneficial and advantageous in the long run in the development of the young players for interscholastic football when they arrive at BHS as Student - Athletes. And working closely with the BHS coaches gives the youth organization a clearer understanding of what is needed in development of players for interscholastic play down the road for those BJR graduates wishing to pursue the most popular game further.

"We have been working with the Brunswick High Football Coach Patt Foster," pointed out Harris, "attending meetings while working to bring the programs closer together."

There are other points of interest and they include the reconditioning of the playing surface at the Brunswick Sports Complex football field along with a recently erected storage building that sits up against the fence to the grid field. A lot of work has gone into both the field improvements and the construction of the building. All some great signs that football is closer to being played once again. "We plan on playing several games at the Brunswick Sports Complex site this coming football season," Harris was quick to note.

The 2009 latest Sign - Ups dates and times for both those wanting to play football and those wanting to cheer the teams onward have been scheduled beginning in early June with other dates carrying into mid - June. Following a June 2nd registration at Valley Elementary School (5:00PM until 8:00PM), the next sign -up has been set for June 9th will be both a date to register for football and cheering well as a fundraiser for the youth sports group.

On June 9th anyone who orders at Roy Rogers in Brunswick on this date between the hours of 5:00PM to 8:00PM, which are the registration time, and lets the counter personal at Roy’s know they are there with Brunswick Junior Railroader football, the youth organization will get a portion of the proceeds. So BJR President Tim Harris says to please join the organization at Roy Rogers for fun and food on June 9th. (5PM till 8PM). It is not a requirement that one is there to just sign up on June 9th, anyone can stop buy and purchase their food during the hours mentioned above and help out area’s youth football group.

Signing up for Flag Football the registration fee is $50.00, and for the Mini Pont to Varsity teams the fee is $120.00. There is as always a discount for a second child in program of $20.00 and a third child brings a discount to $30.00.

There also are several other dates for youth Football and Cheering Registration: On Thursday June 11th at the Brunswick Sports Complex from 6:00PM until 8:00PM and on Sunday, June 14th at the Brunswick City Park Building from 9:00AM until 1:00PM, are the final two dates of Registration..

Brunswick Junior. Railroaders have a long tradition of providing a safe and competitive sports atmosphere in Frederick County.

Listed next are the age groups for the football divisions: The level of play is set by age (Sept. 15 is the cutoff date) and that goes along with some weight combinations; these addressed at sign - ups. Flag football is for those aged 5 with no weight restrictions.

Mini Pony football a player must not turn 9 prior to September 15th.

PONY football is for those aged 9 and 10 years; Junior Varsity football is for 11 and 12 year olds; and the Varsity level of play is for 13 and 14 year olds and the youngster cannot be in high school.

The Head Football Coaches in the football program for this coming 2009 fall season are: The Head Flag Coach is John Strine who is a returning coach; the Head MINI PONY Coach is Jon Cadle; the Head Coach of the PONY team is Nathan Shaffer; Lewis Allison returns as the Head Coach of the JV squad; and the Varsity Coach is James Thompson, whom last year was an Assistant Coach on the JV team..

The Cheerleading ages and requirements are: Flag Cheering is for those aged 5 by January 1, 2010 to 6 years by September 15th 2009.

Mini Pony Cheerleaders 7 & 8; PONY Cheering is for 9 and 10 year olds; JV Cheering for 11 and 12s and Varsity Cheering is for those aged 13 and 14 and they cannot be in High School.

The Cheerleading Head Coaches are: Flag is Mary Domer; Mini Pony is Silvia Harris; PONY is Becky Stine; Junior Varsity is Open; and Varsity Cheerleading Coach is Angie Strine.

The objective of the BJR organization is listed here: "It is the goal and objective of the Corporation to foster good sportsmanship, honesty, and respect for authority in the youth of the Community through supervised athletic competition and related activities. In all its endeavors, the Corporation shall be guided by the best interests of the youth of the Community.’

Brunswick Junior Railroader Football is a proud member of the Mountain Valley Youth Football League.

For more information on the area’s youth football organization as well as a striking picture of an old Steam Engine, just like one‘s that used to roam the rail tracks in Brunswick, visit the web site at (BJRfootball.com).

Another BJR fundraiser in the near future is the BJR car wash scheduled for Roy Rogers in Brunswick on Saturday, June 20th from 10:00AM until 2:00PM. The players and cheerleaders look forward to seeing you there to both get your vehicle cleaned and to help out the youth sports organization.

Then the week of June 22nd through June 26th they will be holding the annual ‘Wesley Rice Football and Cheerleading Camp.’ This is a free camp for all who participate and sponsored by NJR. To be part of the non contact drills and skills done at the camp please contact Brian Rice, the son of the late Wesley Rice, at 301 - 834 - 8549 for additional information. The football camp is for those in grades first through eighth.

Not many folks may know that the late Wesley Rice was very active in Brunswick youth football as a coach and other official duties and that he was a one time President of the Brunswick Railroader Little League. Rice was the President when the Brunswick Little League all star team of 1986 advanced to World Series play in Williamsport, Pa.

Whatever sports organized in Brunswick and the surrounding areas, an area long known for it sports of all kinds, there always have been those dedicated and hard working volunteers making it all happen. The youth football program is no different, in fact, this is a point in time where the work which is always on - going with any sports organization, is out there for all to see, and come August we’ll all be seeing the work out on the football field as the teams begin preparing for another season of football.