Week 6: Panthers 36 Milan Rhinos 12

     This was a big week for us as we returned to our IFL regular season action. So far we had shown some signs of being a good team and at other times had struggled. Starting with this week we have a long stretch ahead of us and we were looking to find some consistency. We were hosting the Milan Rhinos, who had made some waves in the IFL during the off-season by signing former Wisconsin QB John Stocco, who led the Badgers to an 11-1 season and also spent time in the New York Giants training camp. They also picked up former Holy Cross running back Steve Silva who I had played against for 3 years in college, and knew of his ability to take over a game. Silva was out for the week however with a pulled hamstring, which he injured the wednesday before our game when they played Bergamo. I was back in the lineup after my vacation to Barcelona and my knee felt good. With Clausch still out with his broken wrist though and Andrew unable to play in IFL games, I would have to do double duty as RB and LB. Going both ways and playing in my first game in 3 weeks would have been hard enough but it was also the first real hot weather game that we would be playing. 

With Silva out of the lineup the Rhinos were one dimensional so we decided to try put pressure on Stocco, not ever giving him the time to set up in the pocket. Our defense did a good job of this and we held them scoreless in the first quarter. We jumped out ahead 14-0, the first score coming on a QB draw and the second on a long drive capped by a 10 yard TD pass to Corey. In the second half they started gashing us a bit with the run as their shifty little Italian runningback was carving up our aging linebackers. They managed to put together 2 scoring drives but our offense kept right along and at the end of the half it was 21-12. In the second half our defense adjusted to their more balanced attack and shut them out for the rest of the game. The rest of the game was physical with both teams suffering from the heat. The highlight though came late in the fourth quarter after we were in control when our 45 year old team manager/WR, Ugo, hauled in a TD on a hitch and go. The whole sideline went nuts even though the game was all but over and he came trotting back with a huge grin on his face. 

After the game I started showing some signs of dehydration so while the others were heading to the bar for a few beers I was headed for the hospital for a few rounds of saline fluid. Luckily our team Mom, "Mama Bistek" works at the hospital and pulled some strings to get me around the line at the emergency room. My first look at public health care and hopefully my last (vote McCain!) as I was dragged around from one desk to another before landing in a doctor's office where some incompetent nurse poked my about 5 times before getting the IV in right. In addition he tried to draw some blood but didn't get the cap on right and I had blood spurting down my arm. Already woosy from the dehydration I felt my stomach lurch and I puked all over the poor guys shoes... serves him right though as far as I'm concerned. I felt fine after about an hour but the doc wouldn't let me out until I could take a piss. Finally about 4 IV bags and 8 hours later I managed to squeeze out a couple drops, so they cut me loose. The problem was that it was about 5 in the morning and all my roommates who were sleeping off their hangovers weren't picking up the phone. Around 8 I got a hold of Corey and I was finally headed home to get some sleep.