CAPITAL W GIVEN TO YORK IN AIFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
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From Left to right DB Coach Archie Smith, LB Michael Woodhouse, AIF CEO John Morris, Capitals Coach Rick Marsilio, Capitals Owner Isaac Carn, Game Day Operations Manager Al Hamilton. York Capitals win the AIFL Championship Game against the Chicago Blitz 58-30.
By Tim Blasco
When asked about field conditions Capitals Owner Isaac Carns wasn’t to talkative. In the semi-final game a bad kick broke a sprinkler head and flooded the field which ended the game with a minute left. At the time Isaac Carn stared at the ceiling in disbelief.
With less than a week to prepare and a few words between professionals the arena was made ready and cleared for the Capitals to host the Championship. Isaac Carn simply said “We got the water up.” He looked like a man that had been put through a ringer and that was before the game started. The roller coaster of emotions had lead his York Capitals to the Championship Game no easy task for any of the teams players or staff.
The Capitals started out the game slow but Coach Rick Marsilio looked relaxed the entire time. Coach Marsilio has mentioned several times that his goal was to go undefeated but more than that he wanted to develop players. Even in the semi-final game Marsilio put rookies and second stringers in to get them some experience.
Tonight was all about the starters and the Capitals didn’t really need it since at almost no time did they fall behind in points. Marsilio in his post game said “We had to let the starters run tonight, they earned it.” He mentioned that “They played their butts off tonight and they deserve this trophy.” Marsilio is often never seen smiling after any games. He always looks determined. Tonight he smiled but mentioned that tomorrow starts a whole new recruiting campaign for the 2016 season. Coach Marsilio even with the AIF trophy in his hand was most likely already thinking about next year.
E.J. Nemeth looked determined tonight. In several huddles Marsilio and Nemeth didn’t even talk. They simply stood there. They have both said they finish each others sentences and use nonverbal cues a lot. They have spent 4 years together which is an Arena Football rarity. Nemeth went 15 of 25 and threw for 2 touchdowns and 184 yards. He also rushed for 38 yards and 5 more touchdowns. To top it off Nemeth completed or assisted in 4 out of 7 PATs.
E.J. Nemeth Stands Victorious in a post game celebration.
Nemeth played the whole game and the Blitz simply seemed to be begging for him just to stop playing. A feeling the Capitals probably know well, since last year Nemeth was the opposing QB for the Championship Stampede, who beat them in the semi-finals.
The Capitals Defense looked solid. Diarra, Pitts, Woodhouse, Thaxton, Mattews and Duckworth were putting in work. Armar Watson’s second interception was the decidedly biggest play of the night. Not only was it a pick six but it also sucked the hope off of the Blitz in a quick way.
The Chicago Blitz began to play sloppy football and ended up letting the Capitals run all over them in the fourth quarter. The defense demoralized and tortured the Blitz offense all night and it showed in the fourth. The Blitz completd 15 of 29 passes but despite their efforts they could not stop the opposition defense.
The Capitals completed the season undefeated. Bringing Head Coach Rick Marsilio another goal completed. When asked about the seasons outcome he was not slow to mention that this championship means a lot for the players moving up to bigger leagues. The York Capitals are the 2015 American Indoor Football Champions.
