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 Raider/Blazer History |
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Raider Nation History
It all started back in 1999, myself and Steve B. saw an ad in the local paper for players needed for a touch football league in Verdun. So we called the number and hooked things up with Kenny Mann, while Steve B. and I did not end up on the same team, we still had a good time. There was only 4 teams in the league back then, and my team won the title, so I was pretty happy, Steve B was not, he quit the next year (partially due to injury).
So the 2000 season rolls around and that is when I first meet Bruce H. (who did not finish the season due to injury) but the roots of the raiders were starting to show. We had a rag-tag team without any real QB, so we ended up losing in the championship game, but the potential was there.
So in the off season between 2000-2001 seasons I met Leon H. We started talking about football and such, and he mentioned that he was a QB. So I signed him up to play. Got Steve B. out of retirement, Bruce H. was healthy and back for more and he brought out his brother Ross H. Now Mr. Brunelle, this is actually a bit fuzzy, I believe Martin B. was givien to us by the league cause we were short a player, but I'm not 100% sure of that. Although I'm glad we got him cause he is to this day, one of (if not THE) most dedicated Raider in the Nation.
So anyway, 2001 rolls around, the league is up to 6 teams now. We have alot of new faces and alot of confidence. We finished that year 10-2, blowing teams out of the water. Leon set (what was at the time) all the TFL Passing Records...... but we were over-confident, and due to lack of preperation (i.e going out drinking all night) we lost in the first round of the 2001 playoffs.
In this offseason we decided to do some recruiting.... we land Kenny G. (the best rusher in the league) and Derek M. in the 2002 draft. Excellent additions.
So 2002 rolls around and we are mad. The League is up to 8 teams now and we go on a tear scoring 40 points a few times, even a 73-0 score, so we are rolling, full of confidence, but everyone remembers what happened in 2001. It didn't happen again. We were prepared and showed that RAIDER NATION not only has talent, but we have heart also.
--Round 1 We were down 12 at the half against a good Titans team (in a blizzard) but with 3 gutsy TDs in the 3rd quarter (including the flip of death) we came back and won the game.
--Championship Game In this one we lead from the start 12-0 but they scored on the last play of the half, and the last play of the game to send it to an overtime shoot-out. We held off the Packers in overtime to win our 1st TFL CHAMPIONSHIP.
In this offseason we recruited a bit more, Shawn Collins (lead the league in 2003/Receiving TDs - 16), Joe Baillie (2003 playoff MVP) and Slutty Mark Cavaluci. Another good draft.
So 2003 rolls around and we are the DEFENDING champions. The league is up to 12 teams now. Once again we come into the season full of confidence and (in what I think MADE our season) we tied our first game 1 - 1. That brought us down to earth and I think made us realize that we ALWAYS have to be prepared and play well, nothing is free. So after that (except for 1 loss) we rolled over EVERY TEAM in the league.
--Round 1 We crush the Gargoyles solidly.
--Round 2 In the best game I've ever seen the Chiefs play.... we beat them.
--Championship Game Down 12 - 0 in the second quarter, we didnt let them score again, we had (maybe the play of the year) Joe picked off a pass and scored on the last play of the half. 1 more TD in the third quarter provided the nail in the coffin. BACK 2 BACK CHAMPS!
......and in this offseason???
you'll see............ MUHAHAHAHA!
In the next offseason, we decided to start a youth movement. What we gave up in experience, we more than made up for in speed and potential. Our buddy Martin Brunelle moved to the country, Bruce Howell and Ross Howell both retired (partially due to injuries) and 2003 Playoff MVP Joe Baillie was let go due to family responsibilities (30 seconds of fun, 18 years of work). We added Steven Hay (making his return to touch football), Rob White (minister of information), Joey Neill (who's beard is worth the price of admisson alone) and Pat Beauchamp (Part Time Pat). It's time to step up and play in Tournaments and take our game to the next level.
The year started with the Burlington Early Bird Tournament, we won the DD championship.
Next was LaSalle Waterbuffaloes Invitational Tournament, we didn't win it. We lost 2 out of 3 games (but we did beat the Mavericks- BB 2004 National Champs).
Next was the Chateauguay Tournament, we didn't win it. Our heads weren't really into it on this weekend, and we played pretty half hearted and got sent home early.
Next was the Rosemount Moose Bowl. We won it. By now we are finding our groove, we're clicking on offense (due the the new habit of standing Leon 5 yards further back in the pocket)and really exposing the weaker teams we are playing. We rolled through this tournament with 3 out of the 4 games ending in the "mercy rule". GET OFF! We the Moose Bowl Champs!
Next was the Ottawa Tournament. We didn't win it. Leon's home town was too much temptation for him as he somehow got hammered the night before the final day of the tournament. Our defense didn't play well and we went home early again.
Next was the Boucherville Tournament..... or supposed to be next, but due to politics, we weren't in this tournament. We would've won it.
It's now August and time for the TFL. We have been playing touch football since april and have played more games than the TFL season already before the TFL teams have even had a practice. We roll through the season undefeated (setting all kinds of league records in the process) and pretty much only played one close game, which was the Final against the Steelers. 13-12 in a shoot-out. BACK 2 BACK 2 BACK CHAMPS!
During the season we also played in the Quebec Provincial and Canadian National Championship Tournaments. We lost in the Provincial Final by 1 point on the last play of the game and we won the Canadian Nationals by beating a team from Edmonton in a great comeback win. So this was a very productive season for our team... Some might say that this season was the real start of the Raider Nation...
......and in this offseason???
you'll see............ MUHAHAHAHA!
2005 Season...
This year started off with some memebers of our team playing in the Lachine Indoor League, only a few people from our team played (cause our team was chisled out of joining). It was a good warm up for our QB (Leon Holder)to get ready for the Tournament season.
We changed our name because we wanted a fresh start for our move up to competion caliber football, and also to kinda distance ourselves from the lower caliber teams we used to play (TFL). So goodbye "RAIDER NATION" say hello to .....THE MONTREAL BLAZERS
We entered the Snow Bowl again (for the last time) and it was just a frustrating experience, considering our speed and athletism are a key factor to us winning games. The "snow" is not a good place for us to be playing. We played ok, but lost in the semis.
So spring comes around and doesn't start off too well for us this year, the captain (Steve C.) blew out his knee in an exibition game against the Razorbacks. So the year looked pretty grim, but with the additions of a some very good players things looked a little better. Sam Mendolia (water-buffaloes 2003) Carlton O'Brien (water-buffaloes 2003) and Philly Blunt (TFL) are good improvements on the "role players" that we were forced to use at times the last few seasons. Having depth should help out alot.
So Chateauguay 2005 comes around and we end up short handed (4 of our top players didn't play)and playing in unfavorable weather conditions contributed to a pretty lousy showing for us in our first official tournament of 2005. Anyway let's move on...
2005 Moose Bowl time. We're the defending "BB" champs in this one and the weather looked GREAT for the weekend, so we had our hopes up high. Playing without the Matrix still looked a little grim, but the tourny organizers continue to put us up against weaker opponents so we rolled through "OUR" tournament for the second straight year. GET OFF! We the Moose Bowl Champs!
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