ArbutusBigRed: Welcome
Tuesday, July 22
Background on the Arbutus Big Red
Welcome to the official website of the Arbutus Big Red Semi Pro football
team which is located in Baltimore MD. The Big Red is an unlimited amateur football team and accepts players starting at the age of 18.The Big Red was founded by Mr. George "STUD MUFFIN" Kendrick. Mr.Kendrick has been coaching since 1946 and at the tender age of 82 he is still going strong. His goal is to offers his knowledge of football toall his players and provide young men the opportunity to play the game of football.The Big Red is affiliated with the *_Mason Dixon Football League* (MDFL*_).* The Mason Dixon consists of teams from NJ, MD, VA, and NC.The Big Red is one of the oldest active amateur football organizationsin the country and have been fielding teams since 1926. The Big Red is also part of the *_Arbutus Athletic Association (A.A.A.)._* *The Arbutus.A.A*. is a proud sponsor of youth team sports in Arbutus and surrounding counties. The Arbutus.A.A. provides youth sports infootball, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and girls cheer leading. The Big Red and the Arbutus A.A. just celebrated their 80th year in existence.
The Mission
Our mission is to provide the best quality as a football team on and off the field. We believe that what makes a team is team work and dedication. When you put both of these two major factors together you make a champion! Not only do we expect the best out of you but, we desire for you to have commitment to us, the team, and yourself. We do not cut anyone. You cut yourself! We do not make any promises but we will provide you the best opportunity to play the game of football. We believe the blueprint to becoming champions starts at practice. Practice determines the fate of a team. The Arbutus Big Red is one family and we're all important to the family.. Each individual plays a part in the success of the team. We look for the kind of players that will come to practice and work hard to the best of their abilities. Our mission is set at the start of the season. Our goal this year is to win the championship! Dediacation and Determination equals a winner!
The Basics of the Big Red Organization
Team dues are $200 per Player
($200 includes the following) *Game socks *Jerseys (both Home and Away) *Association fee with the Arbutus A.A.
MDFL History
The MDFL represents one of the stronger memberships of any active minor league organization. Located just outside of Baltimore, the Arbutus "Big Red" have played since 1943, making them one of the oldest teams in the country. In 1996, one of our former teams, the Fredericksburg Generals, was declared the AFA National Champion. In 1997, the Virginia Ravens played the Marlboro, Mass. Shamrocks in the AFA's National Championship game. Many of our players have received national recognition by being named AFA All-Americans. Ron Meehan, former QB for the Big Red, was selected the AFA Player of the Year in 1991. In 1994, Darryl Dugger, center for the Virginia Ravens, was selected AFA Offensive Lineman of the Year. Rodney Baylor, Hampton Roads Sharks, was named the 1995 AFA Defensive Lineman of the Year. In 1997, Charles Allen, OG for the Virginia Ravens, was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year. Eight MDFL players were named 1998 1st & 2nd team AFA All-Americans, in 1999 five players were selected and in 2002, the League had seven players selected as 1st & 2nd team All-Americans. Joe Hand of the Jacksonville Raiders was named the AFA's 2002 Gold Ball winner as Special Teams Player of the Year. The Virginia Mutiny were recognized as the AFA's 2002 State and Mid East Regional winner and the Jacksonville (NC) Raiders were named the AFA's North Carolina State Champions. The National Football Events named a total of 20 MDFL players to their 2002 All-American teams. The AFA end-of-season rankings listed the Raiders at # 8 and the Mutiny at # 11. Also in 2002, the MDFL (16 teams) joined with the United (16 teams), Southern (10 teams), South Atlantic Minor (6 teams) and Appalachian (4 teams) Leagues to form the Eastern Football Alliance Tournament. League Champions would advance as well as the next 3 teams with the top power rankings. It was decided that the following Leagues would host the Championship in the following years: 2004 - MDFL; 2005 - SAMFL; 2006 - Appalachian; 2007 - United. Playoffs began in November with 3 MDFL teams invited: the Virginia Mutiny, the Jacksonville Raiders and the Raleigh/Durham Wolverines. In December of 2002, the Jacksonville Raiders won the inaugural championship game which was hosted by the United League in Richmond, Va., and were named the Eastern National Semi-Pro Football Champions. Kendrick Pollock, QB for the Raiders, was named as the MVP for the game. In 2003, 2 MDFL teams participated in the EFA tournament (Broncos & Ravens) with the Broncos advancing to the semi-final round. The Middle Georgia Stallions of the Southern Football League were crowned the 2003 Champion.
1978 - Franklin County Minutemen (Chambersburg, PA)
1979 - Fredericksburg (VA) Rebels
1980 - Virginia Chargers (Manassas, VA)
1981 - Richmond (VA) Bruins
1982 - Richmond (VA) Bruins
1983 - Arbutus (MD) Big Red
1984 - Arbutus (MD) Big Red
1985 - Chesapeake Bay (VA) Neptunes
1986 - Triangle Cardinals (Durham, NC)
1987 - Baltimore (MD) Bears
1988 - Peninsula Pirates (Hampton/Newport News VA)
1989 - Washington (DC) Stonewalls
1990 - Tidewater Sharks (Norfolk, VA)
1991 - Baltimore (MD) Bears
1992 - Peninsula Poseidons (Hampton/N.News, VA)
1993 - Metro Bulls (Washington, DC)
1994 - Charlotte (NC) Blast
1995 - Fredericksburg (VA) Generals
1996 - Fredericksburg (VA) Generals M.D.F.L League Champions
1997 - Richmond (VA) Ravens
1998 - Arbutus (MD) Big Red
1999 - West Deptford (NJ) Broncos
2000 - West Deptford (NJ) Broncos
2001 - Prince William (VA) Monarchs
2002 - Virginia Mutiny
2003 - New Jersey Broncos
