NJ Lions Football: 2011 Game Schedule Released

Lions 2011 schedule preview

Holmdel NJ---With the release of the New Jersey Lions 2011 schedule, here is a preview of the teams that will be facing the Lions. Pre-season will start on June 18^th versus the Long Island Lions, of the Five Star Football League (FSFL). The game will be player at St. John Vianney High School. June 25^th will be against the New York Predators, of the Regional American Football League (RAFL), in Staten Island NY.

The Long Island Lions finished 2010 with a regular season record of 6 wins and 4 losses and made the first round of the FSFL playoffs. During the regular season, Long Island scored an average of 16.5 points per game. They were led by quarterback Rob Zippell who passed for 746 yards, threw 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. On defense, Long Island gave up an average of 11.5 points per game. They were led by defensive back Pete Bonelli who led the team in tackles with 41.5.

The Predators 2010 season ended with winning the National Championship. Along the way to claiming the National Championship, the Predators won the RAFL Championship and the Metro Bowl Championship. Their regular season record was 8 wins and 2 losses. They averaged 32.4 points scored per game and gave up 7 points per game. The Predators offense was led by quarterback Kasey Nunez, who passed for 805 yards, 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. The rushing attack was led by Chi Chi Mansaray who rushed for 319 yards, 5 touchdowns and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Kareem Moon led the receivers with 382 receiving yards, averaged 22.5 yards per reception and scored 3 touchdowns. On defense, the Predators were led by linebackers Damian McCaig who had 55 tackles, 22 tackles for losses and 8 sacks, and Charlie Pellegrino with 31 tackles, 8 for losses and 2 sacks.

The regular season will see the Lions hosting the Brooklyn Mariners, Central Penn Piranha, Tri-State Bulldogs, Philadelphia Panthers and New Jersey Wolves. The Lions will travel to games against the Rockland Packers, Southern Virginia Trojans, Philadelphia Phoenix, New Jersey Spartans and Brooklyn Mariners.

The Mariners in 2010 finished the regular season with 6 wins and 4 losses. They made the playoffs reaching the 3^rd round before losing to the Wolves. Offensively the Mariners averaged 22.5 points per game and defensively gave up 13.6 points per game. Last year’s quarterback, Paul Bourlis season ended due to injury and may not be back for 2011. Early reports have veteran Jay Hawes taking the reins and ready to lead the Mariners high potent offense. His top receivers will be Sanford Joseph and John Corning. Joseph totaled 657 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Corning totaled 497 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. On defense the Mariners are manned by a veteran cast led by Max Sherman, Sean McGlynn and Charles Burney. This group has great experience and is championship tested. Last year saw the Lions go to Brooklyn and come away with the win 20-6

The Packers 2010 saw them finish with 3 wins and 7 losses. The Packers averaged 14.1 points on offense and 22.9 points on defense. Their offense was led by quarterback Julio Reyes who passed for 1120 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. On defense, the Packers were led by safety Thomas Starr with 33 tackles. With the influx of talent that the Packers have recruited, expectations are for a much tougher opponent, one that may be equal to their championship of 2007. This will be the first meeting between the Lions and Packers.

Central Penn 2010 regular season ended with 10 wins and 0 losses. They reached the 3^rd round of the playoffs before losing to the eventual champions. During the regular season the Piranha averaged 36.7 points per game and gave up 5.7. The offense was led by quarterback Mark Jarmon who passed for 1049 yards, 18 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Jarmon’s top targets were receivers Darren Echols and Hassan Brockman. Echols totaled 563 yards per reception, 10 touchdowns and 20.1 average per reception. Brockman totaled 445 yards, 7 touchdowns and average 20.2 per reception. The rushing will be led by former Lion Raheem Ridley. Ridley rushed for 812 yards, 6 touchdowns and averaged 10.8 yards per carry. Defensively the Piranha are led by defensive lineman Brian Smith and linebacker Donald Donaldson. Smith totaled 28 tackles with 10.5 sacks while Donaldson totaled 30 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Last year’s game saw the Central Penn come away victorious 26-20 in an action packed game. Expect another great one in 2011.

The Trojans’ 2010 regular season record was 8-2 and made the 2^nd round of the playoffs, losing to the Piranha. Offensively they scored 22.8 points per game and gave up 11.9 per game. Their offense was led by all-star quarterback Andre McGlone and running back Isaiah Wigfall. Both are explosive players who can score from anywhere on the field. The defense was led by safety Andre Twine. Twine is a player that flies around the field, making plays whether with vicious or plays on the ball. This will be the frist meeting between the teams.

The Phoenix are a new team that came from a merger between the South Jersey Vikings and the NorthEast Eagles. The Vikings’ 2010 regular season record was 7-3 and the Eagles record was 5-5. Both teams made the playoffs, losing in the 1^st round. The Vikings on offense averaged 10.9 and the Eagles average 11.8. The defenses averaged 17.3 for the Vikings and 24.6 for the Eagles. With two playoff teams merging, the Phoenix will be a challenge for all the teams in the MLF. This will be the first meeting between the teams.

Tri-State is coming back to Major League football after a three year hiatus. Their last season in 2007 had them finish their season at 5-5. The Bulldogs have always been a tough opponent and expectations are that they will have a high caliber product and not just be a new team. This will be the first meeting between the Lions and Bulldogs.

The Spartans finished 2010 with 3 wins and 7 losses. Offensively they averaged 5.5 points a game and gave up 20.3 points per game. The Spartans offense was led by quarterback Khalid Shakir who passed for 649 yards. Their defense was led by leagues leader in tackles, linebacker Jose Renderous. 2010 saw the Lions come away a victory, 28-0. The Spartans have heavily upgraded their talent pool for 2011 and may be one of the leagues most improved. Look for a much tougher opponent than what the Lions have faced in the past.

The Panthers finished their 2010 season with a 7-1 record and made it to the 2^nd round of the playoffs. The Panthers offense averaged 23.3 points per game and on defense gave up 15 points per game. The offense was led running back Sean Mayer, the all-time leading rusher in St. Peter’s College history and 3 time 1^st team all-MAAC conference rusher. The defense is led by a veteran group highlighted by lineman Gary Dunlap and linebacker Titus Bacon. This will be the first meeting between the Lions and the Panthers.

The Wolves ended the 2010 regular season with a record of 5 wins and 5 losses making the playoffs. The Wolves made a run to reach the league championship before losing. The Wolves offense averaged 17.1 points per game and gave up 16.7 points per game. The offense will be led by new quarterback Mike Pernell. Pernell is an experienced quarterback and can be dangerous. His main targets will be receiver Jamelle Pyles and tight end Ron Carney. The rushing attack will be led by running back Darryl Luck and newly signed Shaune Puluse. The defense will be led by linebackers Ty Huff, Chi Adams and defensive back Joe Epps. Last year, the two teams split with the Lions winning 24-7 during the regular season and the Wolves winning in the playoffs 28-22 in overtime. Look for the rivalry to continue to grow and this seasons game may be intensity filled.

2011 Schedule

Pre-Season:

June 18th Long Island Lion (H) pastedGraphic.pdf