Green Bay- What an exciting way to start of the 2011 season, said Head Coach Ken Hinkle. As his first game as the New Head Coach of the Joliet Buccaneers went his way. The Buccaneers traveled to Green Bay, Wisconsin to battle the Green Bay Blackjacks and won in decisive fashion 28-0 this past Saturday afternoon. The Bucs defense played stingy all afternoon, not allowing the ball into the end zone, and not allowing the Blackjacks to get into rhythm. It was an all defensive effort, knowing that we only had a few practices to work on the defense said Assistant Head Coach Vernon McCants.
The only threat in the game came in the late second quarter, when #44 blackjacks running back broke a couple tackles off the left side in Buccaneers territory. Two plays later the ball was inside the redzone with time running out; and the defense stood firm and dug in not allowing the Blackjacks to break the plain. “I was not happy with those calls that I made,” said Coach McCants. I put the guys in that situation on a couple of aggressive calls that I made, and the guys responded well and didn’t over react, and made plays when they had too, McCants said. The Defense was lead by former Cedar Valley Viking # 90 Raphael Parker, # 32 former Plainfield North graduate Jim Theodossopoulos, #21 Tommy Hymon, and former Bolingbrook High Graduate # 33 Ryan Buchanan, nephew of former Indianapolis Colt/Atlanta Falcons Ray Buchanan, who had an interception and a couple of big runs while running the ball. #54 former Romeoville graduate Kyle Vonderheide, and # 2 Pierre Victor came up with a huge fumble recovery. The first quarter was a stall mate as the Buccaneers were trying to find themselves, as they started moving the ball with Veteran #12 Quarterback Danielle Rodgers commanding the offense; Rodgers was able to move the ball in the air and with the help of Veteran Running back # 24 Michael Ingram’s two touchdown runs putting the Bucs ahead and never look back. “Dee and Mike are a coach’s dream, as they both help me with the younger players,” said Coach Hinkle. They’re able to be my eyes and ears on the field, which makes my job as a head coach much easier.
Rodgers also helped in the scoring department with a touchdown run of his own, and former Plainfield North Running back # 3 Matt Schultz ended the scoring with a scamper of his own. After the game, Assistant Coach Ward was speechless during the post game talk, as he was pleased with the effort that both his offensive line and Defensive line did on this overcast afternoon. Next up for the Buccaneers is the Oshkosh Aviators (NLFL) 7pm Kick Off at Romeoville Recreational Park 900 W. Romeo Rd Romeoville, IL.

Joliet- Its’ official, the 2011 Mid-States Football League Schedule has been approved and has just been released to the public today. This will be the Joliet Buccaneers Minor League Football Team’s eighth season representing the Will County area. The Bucs will open its 2011 season on the road, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Saturday July 9, 7pm kick off against the newest members of the league the Lake Geneva Generals. The Buccaneers will be home the following two weeks July 16, and July 23 as they host the Chicago Thunder and Lake County, Indiana Steelers at Romeoville Recreational Park Field ( Dale Blum Field) Saturday Nights 7pm Kick Off. The Bucs then travel on the road July 30 to Peoria to face the Mid-State Steel and the following week August 6 is a bye. Resuming football action the Buccaneers will host the next two weeks August 13 and August 20 against the Kankakee Plowmen and the Lincoln Way Patriots. August 27 the Bucs travel to play the Northern IL. Cowboys and the following week is the league’s official bye week in observance of Labor Day Weekend September 3, and the following weekend will finish the 2011 season off on September 10 in Indiana vs. the Generals.

“I’m excited”, said Head Coach Kenneth Hinkle. I am absolutely 100% excited for the organization and excited for our coaching staff and excited for the new guys part of this team. Coach Vernon and myself have been talking, and we both agree were going to have our growing pains, but we’ll be fine as a football team and as an organization Hinkle went on to say. Coach Hinkle and Coach Vernon Mc Cants Sr. both will be embarking into a new territory this season, as this will be their first year coaching minor league/semi pro football. Both have experience coaching the youth, but both and along with Defensive Line Coach Sammie Mc Caskill- Jr. have an intangible, which is that all three men have a huge amount of football experience and want to share their knowledge with the young men on the team.

With the Preseason and Season just 12 weeks away the Buccaneers will be hosting their Annual 8th Season Try Out on Sunday, April 10 from 12pm-1pm (Registration) and 1pm- 4pm (Team Try Out). The location has yet to be determined, but will be posted on the team’s official website www.jolietbuccaneers.com or on the team’s face book page www.facebook.com/pages/…Joliet-Buccaneers. Any interested young man 18 and up are encouraged to tryout for the team, as this could be a life altering experience.

March 22, 2011