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FASCO TO SHUT DOWN OPERATIONS AFTER 23 YEARS.
Due to health problems from a major heart attack and two hospital stays from blood clots in the leg, Dick Suess, Manager of the Free Agent Scouting Combine has announced that FASCO is shutting down operations.
"My doctor will not allow me to make anymore long airplane trips carrying heavy equipment bags which could cause another heart attack or blood clot which could be fatal," Suess said. "23 years of doing what I liked and the memories of the many pro combines, all-star games and great people I met was its reward," Suess said. "Our only regret is taking the Pro Football Institute in as a partner," Suess said.
While FASCO will no longer be doing pro combines or all-star games, the schedule of 2005 and beyond all-star games is being picked up by the Minor League Football News, and will be billed as MINOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL
ALL-STARS vs ?. Players who have signed up for any FASCO games will have their payments transferred to the Minor League Football account. All checks and applications should be mailed to: Minor League Football News, Post Office Box 419, Wauna, Washington 98395. Make check payable to Minor League Football News. Jersey's remain the same (red), but won't have FASCO name on them. Possibility they will be changed to a more modern white jersey starting with the game in Detroit, Michigan on May 4th. The complete 2005 schedule remains the same.
This website will be converted over to the Minor League Football All-Stars website for future all-star game info. If you need to reach us our email is pifl98@aol.com. Or call (253) 851-3780. Rosters of up coming games can still be viewed by clicking on to "Future All-Star Games"
To all of you, we thank you for your participation and help, and look forward to seeing you again....Dick Suess
FASCO ALL-STAR DEMOLISHES SOUTHEAST FLORIDA ALL-STARS, 35-7.
Phil Lytle, Head Coach of the MLF All-Stars once again showed why he is a Hall of Fame Coach, putting together another winning team as our all-stars demolished the Southeast Florida League All-Stars, 35-7. Complete detail on this game will be posted here as they become available.
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PHIL LYTLE INDUCTED INTO MINOR LEAGUE HALL OF FAME
December 26, 2004 -- Phil Lytle - True Passion, Dedication and Loyalty. Who would have thought - 31 years later and he is still here. Kicking around in Minor League Football for that long is not just a hobby - it is a passion for the game. A since of dedication and loyalty. This Describes Phil Lytle passion, dedication and loyalty. Phil has been hanging around this game for well over 30 years as a player and a coach with only one losing season.
Phils playing and coaching era has been described as Western North Carolinas best-kept secret through the last three decades. In 1973 Western North Carolina was a hot
bed for high school and college football. The fans were rabid and plentiful at all levels of the game. With this atmosphere the Asheville Bears Minor League Football Team was formed as well as Phils journey in Minor League Football.
In his four seasons (1973-1976) as a player with the Asheville Bears; Phil, unknowingly started his coaching career by actively / playing every position on the gridiron. With his four seasons as a player he played RB, WR, LB, TE, DB, OL, DL, and QB. Playing at QB in 1976, Phil suffered a career ending knee injury that most doctors thought at that time would keep him from ever walking again. Passion, dedication, and loyalty drove him back to the field. Walking and Running by the amazement of doctors did not pacify him it fueled his desire to still be an active part in the game he so truly loved.
During his four seasons as a player his team record consisted of: (1973 5 and 6, 1974 7 and 4, 1975 9 and 2, 1976 8 and 3). With a year of rehab behind him Phil returned in 1978 as the Head Coach of the Asheville Bears completing consecutive seasons with a record of (8 and 3).
In 1980 the Asheville Bears ceased operations and the Asheville Chiefs formed. With management looking for a successful leader to coach this new team they turned toward Phil for his direction. And he did so from (1980 to 1983) without having a losing season.
From 1980 through 1983 Phil Lytle, directed the Asheville Chiefs to an impressive 34 and 10 record. However; the 1982 season will always be remembered not for its record but for the national recognition his team and players received. The NFL strike was that year and the Asheville Chiefs four consecutive seasons with an impressive winning record landed them on Super Bowl XVII Sunday during the half-time show. This became the greatest recruiting tool for Phil Lytle and Minor League Football in the Western North Carolina. 1980 1984 proved to be the strongest growing era in Minor League Football in NC it produced players such as: Jeff Gardner (TB), Stan Gibbs (LB), Roger Bush (DL), Emmett Carson (DB) and Tim Lytle (OL). These were the guys who truly loved the game and drove hours just to play for Phil Lytle and the Asheville Chiefs.
In 1984 with widespread recognition in the Western North Carolina it was believed that two teams could function with success so Phil Lytle split from the Chiefs and formed his own team the Carolina Bandits. Again Phil showed his dominance and knowledge of the game, completing 5 seasons in the Carolinas Football League with winning records. (1984 7 and 4, 1985 7 and 2, 1986 8 and 3, 1987 8 and 3, 1988 9 and 2). However the highlight of this era came in 1987 when the NFL again had a strike; one of Phils players was called up to play. (Phil Forney (LB) / St. Louis Cardinals).
In 1989, with his oldest son playing college football and his youngest on his way, Phil sold the Carolina Bandits and turned his attention to High School Football to free up time to watch his sons on Saturday. In the high school ranks from 1989 1995 Phil was the head coach of Shenck Job Core Football team, again, not having a losing season. In 1996 Phil gave up his position as head coach of the Shenck and became the offensive coordinator of Madison High School. Coming into a program that had 10 consecutive losing seasons Phil made an immediate impact to their program. His first season at Madison High School Phils passing offense became second in NCHSAA in Western North Carolina and during this season Madison High School finished one game out of the state playoffs.
In 1998 a new era began. Even though he helped turn Madison High Schools program around his passion still lied in Minor League Football. With that passion he returned to Minor League Football. The Asheville Bears would return under his tutelage. With more options available and more reasons to play for (i.e. National Championships) Phil began his quest.
In 1998 the Asheville Bears were revived and once again established Minor League Football in the Western North Carolina area. The Asheville Bears joined the Southern Football League and finished with a record of 7 and 3. In 1999 they joined the North South Football League and accomplished a first for Minor League Football in Western North Carolina. They finished the season and post season with a perfect record UNBEATEN and UNTIED 11 and 0! With his quest of National recognition and greater competition the Bears changed to the Asheville Grizzlies and joined the Millennium Football League. The Millennium Football League was a major stepping-stone - it created competition outside the state of North Carolina with teams from TN, SC and GA. It gave Phil and the Grizzlies a chance to prove themselves on a National Level. Again, Phils Knowledge of the game proved to be a valuable asset as the Grizzlies completed 2000 season 11 and 0 in league play and won the Millennium Football League Championship. They also received for the first time in Western North Carolina an invitation to play for the United States Football Association National Championship were they eventually lost in the semi-finale round. In 2001 he won the Millennium Football Championship and completed the season with a 10-1 record and another invite to the United States Football Association Championship series again reaching the semi-finale round. With his name growing in national recognition during this period Phil began receiving offers to coach at various all-star games through out the US and abroad. (FASCO Sunshine Bowl, FASCO - Rising Star, National Football Events - Casino Bowl, and Team USA).
In 2002 Phils toughest test was yet to come. The Grizzlies joined the North American Football League one of the largest and toughest leagues in the nation. But again Phil proved to be a worthy opponent / addition to the league by going 9 and 2 in the Southeastern Division and winning the Southern Regional Championship, making it to semi-finale round of the North American Football League Championship series, finishing the season with a 12 and 2 record. 2003 proved to be the same winning the southeast division with a 10 and 2 record but losing the southern regional Championship.
Today at the completion of this ceremony Phil would have completed the 2004 season and 31 years of Minor League Football with an overall record of 195 and 66.
Career Achievements
1973 1976 Player (Asheville Bears) 24 9
1977 1979 Head Coach (Asheville Bears) 16 6
1980 1984 Head Coach (Asheville Chiefs) 34 10
1985 1988 Head Coach (Carolina Bandits) 39 14
1989 1996 Head Coach (Shenck Job Core Football Team) ------
1996 1997 Off. Coord. (Madison High School) 11 9
1998 1999 Head Coach (Asheville Bears) 18 3
2000 2004 Head Coach (Asheville Grizzlies) 53 15
Wins = 195
Losses = 66
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2004 NAFL All-Stars
ASHEVILLE GRIZZLIES ONLY
FIRST TEAM
# 27 Cortez Oliver TB
# 54 Sampson Brunson LB
# 68 Ron Lytle OL
Honorable Mentioned
Anton Bennett - CB
Patrick Johnson - CB
Keyshawn Smith - SS/CB
Tenneyson Rucker - FS
Thomas Richardson - LB
Chris Johnson - OLB
Rashaan Kearney - OLB
Earnest Chambers - DE
Levar Jones - RB
Phil Hall - WR
Marcus Wilkie - WR
Gary Sandford - OL
Maurice Ellerby - OL
East Wins Casino Bowl X
26-15
By: Greg Skowronski
The East squad posted a 26-15 victory in Casino Bowl X which featured some big plays, long drives and hard hitting action from the opening whistle to the final gun. Isaac (Ike) Brown, WR for the Minneapolis (MN) Lumberjacks ran the opening kickoff to midfield for the West. The East defense stiffened in the face of poor field position. Linebackers Shane Sportman of the Glen Falls (NY) Greenjackets and Haywood Harris of the Baltimore (MD) Warriors made some hard tackles to stop the West drive. The East drew the first blood by setting up their score with a 41 yard pass from QB, Lamont Baker Jr. from the Baltimore (MD) Warriors to WR, Trivice Sadler from the Charlotte (NC) Power. The first TD of the game came on the next play when Aaron Hairston of the New England Knights blasted into the end zone with a powerful two yard run against a tough West goal line defense. Steve Moser from the Penn-Ohio Raiders kicked the extra point and the East was up 7-0.
The West responded with a 70-yard drive that featured power running and clutch short pass completions. Place kicker, Darrin Whaley of the Philadelphia (PA) Outlaws kicked a 33-yard field goal to put the West squad on the scoreboard. The drive was initiated by QB, Willie Staple of the Minneapolis (MN) Lumberjacks who moved around in the pocket and gave the East defense a lot of difficulty in trying to contain him. Staples mobility along with power running by Ulysses Martin of the Racine (WI) Raiders and fullback Brian Davis of the Mid-State (IL) Steel produced first downs. Davis at 6-3, 260 Lbs. moved the pile and pushed defenders off the line of scrimmage throughout the game.
Dan Eck QB, from the Capital City (IL) Outlaws hit four completions in a row and went to Ulysses Martin twice for gains of 10 and 5 yards. Eck hit Ike Brown for a short gain and WR, Edwin Reed of the Minneapolis Lumberjacks on a 22-yard strike. The West did not capitalize with a score because of the defensive efforts of Sam Williams Defensive Lineman from the Arbutus (MD) Big Red, Gary Morrison from the Bay State (MA) Thunder and Ken Hackett of the Glen Falls (NY) Greenjackets.
The East squad dominated the remainder of the first half behind the running of Aaron Hairston who averaged over 10 yards per carry for the game. The East responded to the West score with a 15-yard TD pass from QB, J.R. Hill of the Arbutus (MD) Big Red to TE, Lester Horton of the Baltimore (MD) Warriors. The extra point was wide and the East went into half time with a 13-7 lead.
Following half time adjustments, the third Quarter belonged to the West as FB; Brian Davis plunged into the end zone on a powerful 1 yard run following an East fumble. The extra point failed and the West was behind by only 4 points. Willie Staple hit Marchello Garcia of the Snohomish County (WA) Vikings with a 30-yard TD pass and the west took the lead 15-13. The extra point was a fake kick and holder, QB, Dan Eck rolled out to pass but the result was an incomplete pass. The East squad spent most of the third and fourth quarters double covering receiver, Wendell Mosley from the St. Louis (MO) Bulldogs.
Just as the third quarter belonged to the West; the East owned the fourth quarter. The West relied on power running to protect a lead but the offensive line that played well for the whole game had a lapse on blocking for a punt deep in their territory and the East defensive line blocked the punt. This set up another score for the East as Aaron Hairston powered his way into the end zone for a 1-yard TD run. Steve Moser added the extra point and gave the East a 20-15 advantage.
The blocked punt was the turning point of the game. The West squad tried to repeat their long drive of the first quarter. They moved the ball to midfield but fumbled. The East then moved the football to the West 18 yard line relying on the running of Aaron Hairston and his teammate Edward Taylor also of the New England Knights. On a fourth and four situation on the 18-yard line, the East decided to go for the first down. Edward Taylor burst through the West defense and scored on a blazing 18 yard TD run making the score 26 to 15. The extra point failed with minutes remaining the West moved down the field but time ran out and the East won Casino Bowl X.
More Casino Bowl Pics
go to album to see more
Casino bowl X pics!!!
Minor League Football News 2005 Awards / All-Americans
ASHEVILLE GRIZZLIES IN BOLD PRINT
SOUTHERN REGION
OFFENSIVE TEAM:
QUARTERBACK Frank Meade, Asheville Grizzlies
2nd TEAM -Albert Jones, Carolina Storm
3rd TEAM -Knotto Solomon-Middle Georgia Stallions
HONORABLE MENTION -Steve Motts, Seaport Seminoles and Jeron Cain, Charlotte Power.
RUNNING BACK -Charles McKinnon, St.Petersburg Sharks
2nd TEAM -Cortez Oliver, Asheville Grizzlies
3rd TEAM -Tank Truesdale, Carolina Knights
HONORABLE MENTION -Carlos Watkins, Nashville Mustangs; Jonathan Carter, Nashville Storm and Jimmy Bell, Charlotte Power.
TIGHT END -Randy Oliver, Chapin Timberwolves
WIDE RECEIVERS (2) -Brett Bingham, Carolina Eagles and Andre Cooper, Asheville Grizzlies.
2nd TEAM -Jock Johnson, Carolina Gators and Lamar Carter, Nashville Storm.
3rd TEAM -Brad Moultaire, Carolina Storm and Phil Hall, Asheville Grizzlies.
HONORABLE MENTION -Curtis Shelley, Charlotte Power
OFFENSIVE LINE (5) -Bo Wilson, Carolina Storm; Derichard McCoy, Charlotte Power; Jason Hemphill, Chapin Timberwolves; Jeremy Robinson, Asheville Grizzlies and Chris Rollison, Carolina Storm.
2nd TEAM -Ron Lytle, Asheville Grizzlies and Ron Mangum, Chapin Timberwolves.
RETURN SPECIALIST -Brandon Parker, Memphis Blast
KICKER -Tony Guza, Alabama Lightning
DEFENSE: DEFENSIVE BACKS (4) -Rick Brown, Chapin Timberwolves; Chane Price, Nashville Storm; Lavar Mims, Central Alabama Reneages and Patrick Johnson, Asheville Grizzlies.
2nd TEAM -J.T. Hamler, Tennessee Raiders; Ryan Rivers, Chattanouga Steam and Rod Thompson, Nashville Storm.
LINEBACKERS (3) -Ron Lancaster, St.Petersburg Sharks; Thomas Richardson, Asheville Grizzlies and Ben Mc Bane,Mountain Empire Warriors. 2nd TEAM - Sam Bronson, Asheville Grizzlies; Cory Williams, Carolina Storm and Jason Ledbetter, Carolina Rams.
3rd TEAM - Arthur O'Neal, Memphis Blast.
DEFENSIVE LINE (4) -Ernest Chambers, Asheville Grizzlies; Rich Brown, Nashville Mustangs; Damon Payne, Bayou Raiders and Butch Kendrick,Chapin Timberwolves.
2nd TEAM - Shaun Cash, Carolina Storm; Cory Williams, Carolina Storm; Quinton Malone and Dwayne Bradley, Alabama Lightning.
OWNER OF THE YEAR-Phil Lytle, Asheville Grizzlies, NAFL.
ASHEVILLE GRIZZLIES
2005
Calendar of Events
April 23 Open Tryouts / Team Meeting
(All Team Personnel are asked to be present)
· 12:30pm Registration
· 1 3:00pm - Tryouts
· 4 5:00pm - Team Meeting
April 30 1st Mini Camp
Location Asheville Middle School
Time 2pm 5pm
(offense / defense helmets only)
May 7 Detriot FASCO Game
May 14 2nd Mini Camp
Location Asheville Middle School
Time 2pm 5pm
(offense / defense helmets only)
May 28 3rd Mini Camp
Location Asheville Middle School
Time 2pm 5pm
(offense / defense helmets only)
June 4 Asheville FASCO Game
June 11 4th Mini Camp / Team Banquet
Location (MC) Asheville Middle School
Time 2pm 5pm
(offense / defense helmets only)
Location (TB) Best Western
Time 7 until (Camp Roster to be released)
ASHEVILLE GRIZZLIES
2005
TRAINING CAMP
The Quest begins here!
June 18-19 1st Camp Session
18th 7 - 8am Check In
9 12pm 1st Practice Session (Helmets Only)
12 1pm Lunch
2 4pm 2nd Practice Session (Helmets / Shoulder Pads)
4 5pm Break (Snacks to be Provided)
6 7pm 3rd Practice Session (Full Gear)
7 8pm Dinner
19th 7 8am Breakfast
9 11am Practice (Helmets only)
11 12pm Check Out
June 25-126 1st Camp Session
25th 7 - 8am Check In
9 12pm 1st Practice Session (Helmets Only)
12 1pm Lunch
2 4pm 2nd Practice Session (Helmets / Shoulder Pads)
4 5pm Break (Snacks to be Provided)
6 7pm 3rd Practice Session (Full Gear)
7 8pm Dinner
26th 7 8am Breakfast
9 11am Practice (Helmets only)
11 12pm Check Out
July 2 RED / WHITE GAME
Location Memorial Stadium
Time - 1-3pm
Location and Times subject to change
MINOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL'S HALL-OF-FAME 2005 INDUCTEES
TIM LYTLE, Player Category
Tim played iron-man football for over 15-years in Minor League Football for the Asheville Bears, Asheville Chiefs and the Carolina Bandits. Tim began his football career with the Old Fort High School in 1970. After HS Tim enlisted in the US Marine Corp and after his return from active service in Vietnam, he returned to college. However the college (Montreat Anderson College) he enrolled in did not have a collegiate football team, the game he loved so much. So, he turned to the only avenue that was available; Minor League Football and the Asheville Bears. He played both offensive and defensive line in the years 1973 to 1985, when there was no internet, no championship series and player talent was by word-of-mouth. Tim Lytle was a great player who would be a "All-American" if he were playing today.
STAN GIBBS, Player/Coach Category
After an illustrious career at various levels of football Coach Stan Gibbs walked away. After high school he played linebacker at North Carolina Central University, where he was selected at Team Captain and All-Conference. After leaving college he joined the Asheville Bears Minor League Team, and also played for the Asheville Chiefs, Carolina Bandits and Greenville (SC) Bulldogs. He played middle linebacker at the minor league level until he was 44. He then switched to coaching in 1998 with the Asheville Bears, and has coached with Hall-of-Fame Phil Lytle until 2004,when he retired to develop his grandson as a future football star. The Grizzlies with Stan Gibbs coaching defense were a force to be recond with. In 1999 the Asheville Bears won the Southern Football League Championship with a perfect record. The next year the team changed to the Grizzlies and joined the Millennium League, and gave the Grizzlies a chance to proof themselves on a National Level. Coach Gibbs knowledge of the game proved to ba a valuable asset to the Grizzlies as they completed the 2000 season 11-0 in league play and won the Millennium Championship. The won it again in 2001 with a 10-1 record. In 2002 the Grizzlies joined the North American Football League, and faced their biggest challenge. They went 12-3 that first year in the NAFL, with Gibbs leading the defense. In 2003 they went 10-2, but lost in the southern regional championship.
After such a illustrious career Coach Gibbs is truly worthy of being inducted into the Minor League Football "Hall-of-Fame."
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