Allegany Campers Football: Welcome

We’re always talking about winners and losers.  It’s always interesting to hear what winners have to say.  Then it is even more interesting to compare it to what the losers say.

In the 100 years of Allegany football, this is how it was said by the winners and the losers.

When a winner makes a mistake, he says; I was wrong.  When a loser makes a mistake, he says; it wasn’t my fault.

A winner works harder than a loser and has more time; a loser is always too busy to do what is necessary.

A winner makes commitments, a loser makes promises.

A winner says; I am good, but not as good as I ought to be, a loser says; I’m not as bad as a lot of other people.

A winner listens; a loser just waits till it’s his time to talk.

A winner respects those who are better than them and tries to learn something from them.  A loser resents those that are superior to them and tries to find chinks in their armor.

A winner feels responsible for his job, a loser says; I only work here.

A winner says; there ought to be a better way to do it, a loser says; that’s the way it’s always been done here.

The Campers are winners and represent this school, their family and themselves, and they do it every place and they do it well.

The Campers are winners and...

THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

ARE YOU AN ALLEGANY FOOTBALL ALUMNI? 

Where have you been?  What are you doing?

The Big Blue Review has started a new section simply titled, "Where are they now."  The section is dedicated to those of us that have been a Camper.  This is a area where former players are on display.  Let us know what you are doing these days.

If you have someone in mind, simply send the Big Blue Review a picture or two and a small writeup and the Review will get it on the site for all to see.

To send your items, email the web master at jailer@atlanticbb.net .

Lets all get together and tell the world Where they all are now! 

HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF NOTE: 

Fullback Tyler Wharton, a three-year starter for the Towson University football team, will be honored as a Scholar-Athlete award winner by the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame at its annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner on Wednesday, March 7.

A two-time member of the Colonial Athletic Association Academic All-Conference team, Wharton will graduate with his degree in Actuarial Science.

As a senior, he played a major role in the “Turnaround Tigers’” rise to national prominence. He was a devastating blocker who helped the Tigers rush for a CAA-leading 229.9 rushing yards per game. In addition, he was a vital part of an offense that scored a school record 418 points and averaged 431.0 yards of total offense per game.

The most improved team in the nation, the Tigers won their first-ever CAA championship in 2011 and finished the season as the No. 9-ranked team in the country. After being predicted to finish last in the CAA, they won the CAA championship with a 7-1 record and made their first appearance in the NCAA FCS playoffs. The Tigers finished the season with a 9-3 record.

Wharton was also very effective as a receiver out of the backfield. He caught 1 4 passes for 203 yards, an average of 14.5 yards per reception. He also caught five touchdown passes to lead the team. In the Tigers’ season-opening win over Morgan State, the senior caught two touchdown passes. Wharton also led the Tigers to a Homecoming win over Colgate, scoring on a career long 49-yard pass play.

In the Tigers’ dramatic come-from-behind victory at Old Dominion, he caught a 26-yard touchdown pass on fourth down-and-inches. Wharton also caught a three-yard TD pass for the Tigers’ final touchdown in a win at William and Mary.

As a senior, he also rushed for 22 yards on four carries.One of only four senior starters for the Tigers, Wharton was named first team FCS All-American by The College Sports Journal. He was also named third team All-Colonial Athletic Association as a senior and was a second team All-CAA choice as a junior.

Wharton has been invited to participate in the NFL’s Super Regional Combine in Detroit on March 30-31.

This marks the second year in a row that a Tiger football player has been honored by the Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. Last year, Yaky Ibia was a Scholar-Athlete Award winner.

Birth Date:  Sept. 5, 1989     Class:  Senior

Hometown:  LaVale, MD        High School:  Allegany HS College:  Towson University   Major:  Actuarial Studies 

Head Coach:  Rob Ambrose.  Offensive Coordinator:  Jared Ambrose 

Height:  6'      Weight:  248 40-time:  4.8     20-time:  2.67     Shuttle:  4.34225 Bench Reps:  30      Vert Jump:  34Broad Jump:  9' 6"      3-Cone:  7.0 

Highlights:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqmAFh0cmw8  

Attended NFL Super Regional Combine in Detroit, March 30, 2012.  2-time All-CAA and College Sports Journal All-AMerican Fullback.  Behind Tyler the 2011 CAA Champions won the scoring title with 36.6 ppg and were 2nd in rush offense at 244 ypg with 28 rush TDs. 

2011 14 rec-203 yds-5 TD and led Towson in receiving TDs.  Ability to correct mistakes up front and adjust in-play.  Excels in the Boot/Flat game, understands spacing in zones.  Experienced personal protector, wing on XP and KO return.  Converted LB.  Coach Jared Ambrose describes Tyler as one of the smartest players he's ever coached.  High character player with no off-field concerns.  

2011 SEASON:  Led Tigers to a 42-3 season-opening victory over Morgan State by scoring first two touchdowns of career ... had career high three receptions for 42 yards and two touchdowns ... caught a 19-yard TD pass in first quarter to give Tigers a 7-3 lead ... also caught a 12-yard TD pass in third quarter, putting Tigers ahead by 21-3. 

2010 SEASON: Played in all 11 games at fullback ... excellent blocker named second team All-Colonial Athletic Association ... rushed for 11 yards on five carries ... caught three passes for 11 yards.

2009: Appeared in all 11 games at fullback ... caught two passes for six yards ... both catches came at James Madison ... strong blocking back who did not carry the ball ... played on special teams ... had one tackle at Morgan. 

2008: Reserve linebacker who played in all 12 games ... saw action on special teams ... used as fullback on offense in some formations ... made a tackle in win over Columbia ... had one tackle in victory over Rhode Island.  

AT ALLEGANY H.S.: Two-time All-Area first team choice ... member of Maryland Class 1A state championship team as a junior ... averaged 9 yards per carry ... made 90 tackles in nine games as a senior ... scored 18 touchdowns ... missed final two games of year with dislocated elbow ... named as Cumberland News-Times Player of the Year ... member of the Campers' basketball team and track and field squad ... excellent student who was a member of the National Honor Society. 

PERSONAL:  Career goal after football is to become an actuary ... favorite athlete is Barry Sanders ... enjoys reading "The Bible" ... favorite actors are Denzel Washington and Jim Carrey ... traveled to Ghana on a mission trip last summer ... son of Tim and Tracey Wharton.

FROM THE BIG BLUE REVIEW:  Tyler Wharton is a fine young man.  He was a leader for the Campers as both a junior and senior.  It is hard to believe that this is the same young man who dislocated his elbow in the homecoming game in 2006 and many thought that would be his end.  It was a absolute pleasure watching him play at Allegany and being the announcer for many of his outstanding games at the stadium. 

A God fearing young man who has become a role model for many young athletes here in Cumberland and has a very good chance to play in the NFL soon.  The BBR wants to congratulate Tyler on his successful career at Towson and wishing him luck in his future in football and life. 

 In his third full season as the starter at fullback … Jeff Link has earned a trio of varsity letters …Strong, physical runner who loves contact and excels in the open field … Adept at assisting the Offensive line with a punishing ability to block … Specializes in short-yardage situations … Can be counted on to continue to provide the Colonials with a spark in the backfield. 

 Career Highlights:

2009 (Junior): Played in all 11 games, including 10 starting assignments … Finished with 28 carries for 51 yards, an average of 1.8 yards per rush … Caught five passes for 16 yards and two touchdowns … Carried six times for eight yards in season opener @ VMI (9/5) and caught a one-yard touchdown pass that gave the Colonials a 13-7 lead in the fourth quarter … Rushed five times for 11 yards in a 9-7 win over Sacred Heart

(10/31) … Caught two passes for nine yards, including a three-yard touchdown reception that gave the Colonials an early 7-0 advantage, in a 13-10 victory @ Albany (11/7) … Posted two rushing attempts for 17 yards in a 37-10 win over Wagner (11/14) … Rushed three times for a season-high 20 yards in a 23-9 victory @ Monmouth (11/21).

2008 (Sophomore):  Started each of RMU’s 11 games at fullback … Posted 38 rushing attempts for 103 yards and a touchdown … Averaged 2.7 yards per carry … Posted a career-high nine carries for 16 yards in a 27-13 win over Morehead State (9/6) in the season opener … Rushed four times for 13 yards against Bucknell (9/13) … Compiled a career-high 23 yards rushing on six attempts@ Dayton (9/20) … Rushed three times for 10 yards and a touchdown in a 35-20 victory @ Saint Francis (11/15) in RMU’s season finale.  

2007 (Freshman): Appeared in four games, rushing nine times for 22 yards and a touchdown … Posted a three-yard touchdown run on his only carry in a 20-17 win @ Monmouth (9/8) …Carried four times for 13 yards in a 41-31 win over Sacred Heart (11/10). 

At Allegany: Four-year letter winner in football, rushing for 3,054 career yards and 41 touchdowns … Over his four years on the varsity squad Allegany finished with a record of 33-6.

LINK GETS HIS CHANCE

Everybody has a dream to become something at a young age. Some people even change their minds and want to be the complete opposite of what they first wanted to be, but for one young man, his dream may soon be a reality.

Jeff Link was a fullback here at Robert Morris for 4-years, he now has a huge opportunity in front of him. He has a tryout for the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas, TX on Thursday, December 15, 2011.

“This has been a dream of mine ever since I was a child”, stated Link. “I didn’t know how much work it would be back then though.”Growing up in Cumberland, Maryland, all Link did was think and live football. He attended Allegany High School and everyone in his town is behind him and is very proud of him.“My family and friends have been behind me from the beginning, and I am very grateful for their support”, said Link. All he wants to do is make them even more proud of him by being on an NFL team.

He also has support from his RMU former teammates and coaches. “All my former teammates are behind me 100 percent and it helps me with my confidence going down to Dallas”.

Link has had a very successful four years at Robert Morris University. He has played in 37 games, carried the ball 102 times for 254 yards rushing, and 74 yards receiving. He is mostly known for his bruising blocks and his physicality.“I am very proud of Link. He is the type of player who makes me proud to be a coach”, stated Sam Dorsett, Link’s position coach during his 4-years at RMU. “It’s an honor to have coached a kid like him”.

Some people may think that seeing Link or any other football player doing well on the field as a task that is easy to accomplish. “It’s more than just playing the game. You have to train so hard especially to prepare for the NFL”, stated Link.

“I got the chance to work out with a few Steelers like Ryan Clark and Willie Colon at this gym in Wexford, PA called Powertrain. They go real hard in the weight room and all they did was push me to go even harder”.

He believes all his hard work will pay off, and that if he gets to the league he will continue to work hard. “It is a relief to me to finally get a shot that looked like it was not going to come around”.

...AND A CHANCE WITH THE DOLPHINS AS WELL. 

Link went undrafted last year after a four-year career at Robert Morris University.

If the Dolphins do add Hall or Link, he’d likely compete for time with newly added fullback Jerome Messam, who previously played for the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos.

While there has been a considerable amount of focus on potentially selecting a quarterback in the top half of the draft, the Dolphins are also looking at options to create depth for training camp, checking in with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Matt Blanchard.

The Dolphins are clearly still looking for fullbacks despite signing Jerome Messam from the CFL. In addition to Lewis, the Dolphins have tried out at least two other fullbacks, both on Wednesday – former Titans fullback Ahmard Hall (a former Marine), and street free agent Jeff Link, a former fullback at Robert Morris (2011 draft class) who stands at 6-1, 252 pounds and is known for his blocking ability.

THE BIG BLUE REVIEW:  Jeff along with Wharton was a dynamic duo that will not soon be forgotten at Campobello.  Link and Wharton were known as "Thunder and Lightning" in their school days and have continued to make us proud here in Cumberland. 

If you have watched Jeff through his career at Robert Morris, you will note his continued dedication to his choosen career.  He has developed his body to that of expected pro football players and he longs to become one...not only for himself...but wants Cumberland and his school to reap the benefits of that accomplishment as well.

Good Luck Jeff and I am sure we all hope to see you in a NFL uniform very soon. 

Brandon Link...yeah...that's right, the little brother to Jeff Link, has also set a standard for many others to follow. 

Brandon Link and his team have made quite a turnaround since he first took the field for Concord University as a freshman defensive lineman.

For one thing, he turned around to start at center on offense, and has become one of the region’s top snappers.

In a much larger context, he is proud of the team’s turnaround. This Saturday afternoon, the Mountain Lions will host West Virginia Wesleyan with the conference championship going to the victor.

He said, “Coming in my freshman year, we went 0-11. That was rough. To have such a quick turnaround, to be competing for a conference championship, that means a lot. ... My freshman year, I really didn’t think I had a chance of getting a ring.”

Then the Mountain Lions went 6-5 and 8-3 under new coach Mike Kellar, and are 6-3 in the first year of Garin Justice’s tenure.

“I came in as a defensive player. I was rotating in on the defensive line. Then we had a center go down, and [the coaches] knew I played offense from my [high school] highlight film. So that week they tried me at center, and that’s where I’ve been ever since.”

What made it more interesting was that he had played guard in his prep career.

“I’d never really snapped the ball before,” he said. “Initially, the hardest part was getting the snap down, and then going full speed with the rest of the play. But after the first game, I was pretty comfortable with it. I think it’s the right position for me.”

He said the veterans on the line “took me in,” he said.

“A lot of them were JUCO [junior college] transfers, and they were all real tall, so it looked real funny. It was 6-8, 6-6, me who’s 6-1, then 6-4, 6-5 on the other side.”

Asked about whether defenses targeted that small freshman in the middle, Link said, “I doubt they ever knew, because it was such a quick turnaround, a quick change. I don’t think I was a liability at all. … There weren’t any worries, at the time.”

“I think I played pretty good. We jelled pretty well.”

A lot has changed since then.

He said, “We only have a handful of seniors, really, the only people that remain from that time period, so we’re a completely different team. A lot of that has to do with recruiting better character guys.

“Coach Justice, he really focuses on recruiting four-year players, program players. Maybe a redshirt, two years of maybe getting playing time, then maybe start their last two years, that kind of deal, especially with the offensive line.”

“We haven’t had any depth in recent years, so everyone’s been thrown in, and everyone’s just been making do. And I think we’ve been making do very well.”

“Right now, of course, I think I’m one of the tallest guys, and I’m only 6-1,” he said with a laugh. “That says a lot about our character and how hard we play, because every week we’re going against someone 50 pounds heavier and three inches taller.”

He drew a distinction between last season’s numbers, in which Concord was one of the nation’s most prolific yardage producers, and this year’s statistics.

“We haven’t been as productive, but a lot of that has to do with the defenses we’ve been going against,” he said. “This year, almost every team we’ve played has blitzed and stunted the crap out of us.”

“I think we’ve become a lot better because of all the different things we’re seeing. Adapt, or get crushed.”

The future is even more promising in his view.

He said, “I think we have some very talented freshmen, and I think the next two years should be exciting to watch, because we’ve got some big guys, and once they have spring ball under their belts, they should be ready to go.”

Link said that when Justice arrived almost three years ago, as Keller’s strength coach and offensive line coach, he preached a new attitude to the O-line.

“When he first came in, he drilled it into our head that we were going to be the hardest-working group on the team,” Link said. “We’re going to be the ones fighting, every play.”

“Everything’s down to the basics … just everything,” Link said. “He brings in an offensive lineman, tears him down and rebuilds him. That’s a good way to put it.”

Offensive linemen do not get their names announced often during games and do not have yardage figures or touchdown scores credited to them. But they find satisfaction in other ways.

Link said, “I guess, we have our fun when we watch film, just between us, because no one else really knows what’s going on.”

“On the field, definitely people know we score because of the offensive line. At the time when you’re playing the game, when you hear the cheers and stuff after we score, they’re pretty much telling us, ‘Good job,’ you know?”

He said the team’s “skill players” are “always congratulating us, telling us ‘Good job,’ ‘Keep it up,’ all that kind of stuff. The backs and the skill positions, they all know how vital the offensive line is. That’s nothing to worry about. We get plenty of respect from them.”

Link said as his career nears its end, “I’ve got to make the best of it. Coach Justice keeps saying, ‘Link! You’ve only got two more of these hard practices left!’, stuff like that.

“Definitely, this season altogether, I’ve been going a lot harder during practice than what I have before, and that’s just because I don’t want to look back and say ‘I should have gone harder,’ that kind of thing. I’m definitely playing as hard as I can.”

He talked about a drill that ended many practices, “The Final Push.”

“Every time we’re done blocking someone, as soon as the whistle blows, we give someone a final push at the end, just to instill the attitude.”

That “final push” comes again this week, for real.

THE HONORS JUST KEEP ON COMING!

As 2012 begins, Concord's football team gets another hurrah from 2011.

Center Brandon Link has been named to the Beyond Sports College Network's 2011 Division II All-American team.

Link, a senior from Cumberland, MD, earned a spot on BSCN's Honorable Mention squad.

Link was part of a Concord offensive line that helped the Mountain Lions generate more than 373 yards per game on the way to the WVIAC championship. 
CU piled up 953 total yards in its last two contests of the campaign – a 48-40 win over West Virginia Wesleyan in the final game of the regular season, and a 17-14 road loss to Kutztown (PA) in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.

Against Wesleyan, Link and his linemates opened the way for senior running back Brian Kennedy to rush for a career-high 303 yards and a touchdown on 35 carries.

Concord finished the season at 7-1 in the conference, 7-4 overall.  The league title was CU's first since 1990 and the post-season appearance the first since 1992.

Link made the All-WVIAC team three times while at Concord, including 1st Team honors in 2011.  He was also a Daktronics Division II All-Atlantic Region 1st Team honoree this season.

FIRST TEAM HONOREES FROM THE WVIAC 

Jordan Roberts, Charleston, AP*
Joe Greenway, Concord, LB 
Brandon Link, Concord, OC

Offense -- First Team

Offensive Player of the YearAdam Neugebauer (QB), West Virginia Wesleyan

Pos Player School Class

TE Kameel Lashley New Haven (Conn.) Sr.OL David Stedman New Haven (Conn.) Sr.OL Daryl Kurtz Bloomsburg (Pa.) Sr.OL Dan Caffrey East Stroudsburg (Pa.) Sr.OL Brandon Link Concord (W.Va.) Sr.OL Aaron McGlynn Kutztown (Pa.) Jr.OL Rob Stoner Edinboro (Pa.) Sr.WR Trevor Kennedy Mercyhurst (Pa.) Sr.WR Thomas Mayo California (Pa.) Sr.QB Adam Neugebauer West Virginia Wesleyan Sr.RB Rashaad Slowley Southern Connecticut State Sr.RB Daronte McNeill Elizabeth City State (N.C.) Jr.RS Trevor Kennedy Mercyhurst (Pa.) Sr.PK Dan Fisher Bloomsburg (Pa.) So.

Big Blue Review:  AAAHHHH yes...I remember Brandon Link.  He and his huge buddy Justin Hymes were the two biggest and toughest guys around in their days at Alco.  Brandon was known for his pulling and down field blocking and was always the guy to follow "if you needed that yard!"

Since the BBR has followed Brandon at Concord, he has become a monster of a man and become the main reason his college team, especially the offensive line done so well in his senior season.  He has collected so many awards including Honorable Mention as an All American football player.

Brandon also has a chance to make it to the NFL as well as his brother Jeff.  Wouldn't that be great to have two players...let alone brothers make it to the Big Show from the same school and town.  IT IS POSSIBLE!

Good luck to Brandon and his future no matter where it leads you. 

Want to help out?

Want to get involved?

IT'S EASY!

Simply contact me at; jailer@atlanticbb.net or Tammy Shook,President of the Grid Iron Club @ tammy@willetts.com.

The Grid Iron is always looking for volunteers and Camper fans to help out with all kinds of things.  Give us a call and see what you can do. 

THANKS ALCO GRID IRON CLUB!