NEW YORK'S OTHER 9-MAN POWERHOUSE...

When discussing "New York's 9-Man Finest" it usually includes Omni and the World Champion Gladiators.  Both teams are considered to be to flag what the New York Yankees are to baseball - flag football's version of the "Evil Empire" or "Evil Empire's".  Both teams usually remain in the NY spotlight for their winning ways, but most recently its been for questionable recruiting tactics, which is believed by some gives them an unfair advantage on the circuit and making them tough to beat. 

Though the Gladiators have not been around long enough to establish themselves as a "traditional winning" brand in 9man, their 2010 World Championship Title quickly catapulted them into NY’s elite category and in a direct dogfight with Omni for territorial dominance and elite player personnel. But as these two teams square off preparing for the 2011 season Main Event (NY), who has quietly put together their own winning tradition, is quickly turning heads as possibly being the team to beat in NY and on the circuit in 2011. 

Main Event started the 2010 season by winning the first (2) NE circuit events and finished the year with a winning record of 4-3 versus both the Gladiators and Omni.  Though M.E. routinely finishes well, they are seldom mentioned when discussions of which team has a legit shot at winning the World Championship begin.  But 2011 could tell a different story.

Following the loss of their QB (Henry Ford) to Long Island rival Paid In Full (NY), along with a couple of other key players, Main Event responded by bringing aboard 2-Time World Champion QB Donny “DJ” Johnson from the Baltimore Packers. Rather than going with youth at the QB position, Coach Chris Cellini opted to go with veteran experience; and their is no QB with more World Championship success over the last three years than DJ. This move along immediately took them from questionable to probable in regards to their chances of winning the 2011 WC Pro title. 

After falling short of winning their 3rd consecutive World Title, DJ and the Packers decided to part ways leaving the QB vacancy for M.E., left by Henry Ford's sudden departure short lived.  Even though DJ had one of his worst outings on the circuit at the worst possible time, Main Event is rolling the dice and hoping that a change of scenery along with a new supporting cast will help bring DJ back to his winning ways and make Main Event the main event on the circuit.

Also joining Main Event is Shawn “Chicken” Rodgers, who will now be teamed with 2-Time All-World 1st Team WR Shaine Smith, Carl Morris, Bryan Tornee, Mike Funaro and C.J. forming one of the circuits top WR groups if not the best.  The two glaring questions will be if Head Coach Chris Cellini and DJ can get on and remain on the same page throughout the season, and if the O-line will be able to provide enough time to allow DJ to connect with those WR’s down field.

Given time, DJ can be one of the best on the circuit as proven with the Packers and their solid O-line.  Without question, this could be the most dangerous team on the circuit right now and could make it very difficult for their NY counterparts all year long. This team is built for a title run now and should prove to be tough to beat in 2011.  If anything, Main Event will definitely be one of the circuits' most interesting teams and they may have even taken the target off of the Gladiators as the team to beat before the first snap of the 2011 season is even taken.

MCFFU Staff

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