June 15, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa.; - The curtain came down on the Fourth Annual Penn State Football Fantasy Camp with a game in Beaver Stadium that ended tied at 32-32 after overtime failed to separate the Blue and White teams.
It was a perfect football day in Beaver Stadium as coaches Jay Paterno, Larry Johnson, Bill Kenney and Kermit Buggs took their Fantasy Camp squads, with an average age of 49 years young, onto the hallowed turf. Some 250 family members and personal friends cheered on their dads, grandfathers, sons and dear friends under warm, sunny skies, with the men battling in a "rage against rust" according to Coach Kenney.
The players had gone through four practices and numerous meetings with the staff to prepare for this game, a chance only offered to a very limited number of people throughout history. Their workouts proved to work, as the execution on both offense and defense was impressive. On the opening drive the Blue team, under the direction of Bob Kowalczky at quarterback, moved steadily downfield to score on a pass to Bob Kilareski.
The White team came right back with their own long, consistent drive, directed by Big Ten Network anchor Mike Hall, who turned out to be one of the game ball winners for his exciting play all day long. After a couple of interceptions by Eric Ratner and Bill Roberge, both whom were at Camp for their third years of action, the White team took a 14-6 lead into the locker room at halftime. Jim Conroy was on the receiving end of a Hall pass, crossing the entire field for the 30-yard catch, then outrunning the secondary to score, belying his 57 years of youthful age.
At halftime both coaching staff, which also included former Nittany Lion stars Kenny Jackson and Ricky Sayles, worked on key halftime adjustments which quickly paid dividends on the field. The White team took a two-touchdown lead with a 13-minute drive, highlighted by critical third down conversions, despite the blitz packages being attempted by Coach Johnson's squad.
Blue came right back and scored in one play. Having drawn up a hook and ladder play on the board at the half, a perfectly executed pass and pitch back to Dion Rumsey of New York City accounted for a brilliant 70-yard touchdown, as the music and scoreboard video got the crowd rocking. Game On!
Mike Hall of the Big Ten Network |
The fourth quarter was a fine example of men playing their hearts out in Beaver Stadium, acting as if they were true Nittany Lions, diving, jumping, catching, grabbing flags to make the tackle, and giving their all, acting as if they were teenagers rather than grey beards.
When Bob "The Kill-Zone" Kilareski intercepted Hall and returned it to the 18-yard line, with less than two minutes to play, coaches bore down and implored their players to seal the win. Doug Stewart got open in the corner of the end zone for the tying score, tossed by Rumsey, and when the extra point was stopped, the game went to overtime.
The same happened in the 2007 Fantasy Camp game, and the result was also the same as both teams scored dramatic touchdowns, but could not convert the extra point attempts. By Camp rules, the game was called a tie, as the men truly had given all they had during the two-hour contest. At 32-32, all were winners. It was an amazing day for all who played, for those who coached and worked, and for the families who came to watch and cheer.
Shortly after the final horn an awards banquet was held in the Beaver Stadium President's Suite, high above the turf on the seventh floor. While all enjoyed beverages and a sumptuous meal, the game was replayed on the video monitors. Coach Kenney gave the final post-game talk, complimenting the players for their dedication to Penn State, and for their drive to stay young. He made a special point to commend 75-year old Paul Yoder ,who played at both linebacker and center, joined by his son Tim, 50 years young.
All freshmen received an authentic Penn State helmet, while the six sophomores got their Camp letter blankets, and the five juniors showed off the brilliant Camp rings earned by attending and playing for three years. Game balls were awarded to Mike Hall, Dion Rumsey and Bob Kilareski, and everyone received a team photo and game DVD.
On Sunday, following the wrap-up brunch with Jay Paterno's final comments, each player returned home with real Nittany Lion uniform and apparel items, and a lifetime of memories of playing for Penn State. These memories will be theirs forever!
The tentative dates for the 2010 Penn State Football Fantasy Camp are June 9-13. Information is available at www.PennStateFantasyCamp.com or by contacting Camp Director, Patrick Steenberge: Patrick@globalfootball.com / 817-219-7274.