12 Lions Named To 2010 BNEFF Empire Conference All-Star Team

12 Lions Named To 2010 BNEFF Empire Conference All-Star Team      The New Jersey Lions continue to receive post season acclaim.  First, Coach Paul Castillo was named is the Head Coach of the Empire All-Stars in the 2011 All-Star Game in Virginia Beach, VA in May.  Now, the Lions lead all BNEFF teams with twelve players being elected to participate.  “It’s a great accomplishment for our players and our organization that these players get to showcase their talents against the best players in the BNEFF,” Coach Castillo stated.  “Being a first time coach in an all-star game, having that many of my guys voted on to this team by opposing coaches and having my coaching staff there with me will only help me in being able to solidify a victory for the Empire Conference.”
On offense, QB Mahaki Burns will be the signal caller.  Burns, who started the season as the Lions’ Offensive Coordinator and was forced into action when starting QB Matt Mariano was lost to a broken collarbone for the season, led the Lions offense to 28 points a game, 3rd in the league.  Along with Burns in the backfield are the league’s top two rushers, Raheem Ridley and Tarique Pullen. Pullen and Rushing Champion Ridley were two thirds of a dynamic trio that helped make the Lions the league’s top rushing team. FB Eric Parks also joins the backfield for the Lions.  Parks, a battering ram of a blocker with great hands, is the common denominator in the overall success of the running game. Along the offensive line, G’s Mike Savoye, Lou Gregoire, and T Jeremy Mercer will also be part of the contingent of scoreboard lighting Lions offensive players.  
Not to be outdone, the Lions Blackshirt Defense had five selections of their own.  MLB Jeff Castillo and NT Wayne Niedermeier spearheaded a ferocious group that led the Empire Conference in points against.  Joining them will be hard hitting LB Paul Keator, the game changing CB Teddy Wilson, and the ball hawking SS Taylor Bonner.  Even with five selections on defense, Coach Castillo believes his team had room for more players.  “We could have had more players make the team, but some positions were tighter than others and our guys may have had equal seasons to the guys voted in, but the ones voted in had more name recognition.  Not meant as a slight towards anyone, but when you have to equal players, sometimes the reputation of a certain player may be the tie breaker,” he continued.
LB Raul Rivera and SS Chavesse Covin were also honored as All-Star alternates for their outstanding seasons.  The Lions will also have a final representative participating in the game.  WR Darnell Rose, who recently signed with the Lions, was selected after an amazing season for the New Jersey Wolves.  Rose will represent the Wolves in the game and rightfully so.  “Rose had a great season for the Wolves and out of respect to the Wolves organization, the right thing to do is have him wear their logo on his helmet for the game,” Coach Castillo said.
The 2010 BNEFF All-Star Game will be played May 22, 2011 at the Virginia Beach Sports Complex in Virginia Beach, VA.  The rosters have not been finalized due to selected players having to give their verbal commitment to play.  Keep checking the league website, BNEFF.org, for more details.