1999/2000 News

VIKINGS GRANTED FULL LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP

The Mohawk Valley Vikings have met requirements for full franchise status in the New York Amateur Football League for the "2000" season. The Vikings, who start League play on Saturday, July 12th, will enter the season as a second year club with a returning nucleus of capable players. The League will expand by adding six new teams; two from the Albany area, three from Rochester, and one from Buffalo, with the likelihood of a split (East-West) division format totalling ten League games. The Vikings, who are presently undertaking an upgraded recruiting campaign for top area players, will carry a full fifty-man roster. The team expects to have a general organizational meeting in January, with indoor workouts beginning in March, and outdoor practice beginning on Tuesday, May 11th. New prospective players can get information by calling Coach Loftis at 736-4725 or by responding to the team e-mail. Greater advertising efforts, Corporate sponsorships, and changes in front office administration are being undertaken.

* Note: All player candidates should presently be on a regular strength and conditioning program. Contact the team for assistance.

VIKINGS WEB SITE WINS AWARD

The Mohawk Valley Vikings team web site was awarded the Dick Butkus Football Network 2000 All Pro Site Award as one of the year's best internet football sites. The site, designed by Mrs. Lorraine Stolo of Querida Communications, is now eligible for a 1999 Internet Football Award. For more information on this site's development, contact the web site developer at this e-mail address lorrainstolo@usa.net.

NYAFL CHAMPS IN HARVEST BOWL

The Buffalo Gladiators, 1999 NYAFL champions, advanced to the Harvest Bowl (Lowell, Mass.) where they played the Maine League champion, falling short 20 to 7 this past November. En route to the NYAFL championship, the Gladiators upended the Vikings 34-0 in week 4.

CANADIENS LOOKING TO JOIN NYAFL

Two Canadian semi-pro football clubs are looking to join the NYAFL for the upcoming 2000 season. Determinations on league membership will be made at the league meeting to be held in Syracuse Sunday, January 23.

VIKINGS EARN ALL-STAR RECOGNITION

Several Mohawk Valley Vikings football players received New York Amateur Football League All-Star status for their outstanding play this past 1999 season.

The players, voted by league coaches and administrators, are:

Jeff Thorpe (Remsen)-Defensive End

Dan Herrman (Rome)-Defensive Back, Wide Receiver and Kick Returner;

Anthony Macri (Herkimer)- Linebacker;

Amon Willis (Utica)- Defensive End;

Terrence Coleman (Utica)- Defensive Back;

David Vogt (Dolgeville)- Punter;

David Parker (Rome)-Running Back;

Gary Bartella (Blossvale)- Linebacker.

VIKINGS TO OPEN JULY 8, 2000 AT RFA

The Mohawk Valley Vikings kick off their 10-game schedule by playing the first of five home games, Saturday, July 8, at Rome Free Academy Stadium. All home kickoff times are 7:30 p.m. Food/Drink concessions, as well as Viking game programs will be available.

VIKINGS TO HOLD TEAM MEETING

The Mohawk valley Vikings Football Club will hold a team organizational and registration meeting for new and returning players Wednesday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m., in the JFK Junior High auditorium located on Deerfield Drive-East in North Utica. For directions or questions call (315) 736-4725.

WANTED: OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

The Mohawk Valley Vikings semi-professional football club of the New York Amateur Football League is seeking quality offensive linemen to join its ranks and help solidify the offensive line. All candidates will be given every opportunity to earn a roster and/or starting position. Contact (315) 736-4725 for more information.

VIKINGS OFF-SEASON RECRUITING A SUCCESS

The Mohawk Valley Vikings off-season recruiting of new players is going better than expected, according to the coaching staff. "We're getting a sizeable number of talented players from accross the Mohawk Valley," according to Defensive Coordinator Coach Tim Stolo.

While a particular need exists for quality players on the offensive line, that concern is being addressed through recruiting with several new candidates. Head coach Jerry Loftis notes that the team also places a premium on signing quality running backs and linebackers.

Coach Stolo stressed that the quality and level of football experience is also evident in the cadre of new talent, "We are intimately aware that this is a talent rich football region with many former local stars still in the area. Consequently, we are seeing a particular increase in candidates who have experience at the collegiate level of play." As a result, the coaching staff expects competition for starting positions and roster spots to be intense, as well as putting an excellent end-product on the field.

"We definitely expect to field a much improved, highly competitive team this season," concluded coach Loftis.

NYAFL ADDS TWO NEW TEAMS; ANNOUNCES NEW 2000 SCHEDULE

The New York Amateur Football League has announces that it has voted to add two new teams for the 2000 season. The Schenectady Metro Magic, a brand new "expansion" franchise, comes with a highly organized, well supported administration and capable, experienced coaches and players. The Rochester Eagles, an established team that has played in the New York Football League and as an independent, was also voted into the league for the upcoming season. The teams effectively replace the Watertown Red & Black as well as the opening left by the merging of the Syracuse Express and the C.N.Y. Warriors, who now play as the C.N.Y. Express.

The NYAFL also released its Season 2000 schedule, as well.

MOHAWK VALLEY VIKINGS 2000 SEASON SCHEDULE

JULY 8 GLOVE CITIES (Gloverstown) @ VIKINGS

JULY 15 VIKINGS @ SCHENECTADY METRO MAGIC

JULY 22 C.N.Y. (Syracuse) EXPRESS @ VIKINGS

JULY 29 BUFFALO GLADIATORS @ VIKINGS

AUG. 5 VIKINGS @ HORNELL DRAGONS

AUG. 12 BATAVIA TITANS @ VIKINGS

AUG. 19 VIKINGS @ ROCHESTER EAGLES

AUG. 26 SCHENECTADY METRO MAGIC @ VIKINGS

SEPT. 9 VIKINGS @ C.N.Y. EXPRESS

SEPT.16 VIKINGS @ GLOVE CITIES COLONIALS

PLAYOFFS SEPT. 23, 29 & OCT. 7

HOME GAMES IN BOLDFACE @ ROME FREE ACADEMY STADIUM, 7:30 p.m.

ALL GAMES ARE SATURDAY NIGHT

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