With The University of Virginia’s former QB Bryce Perkins moves on to the NFL, questions circulated how does UVA’s offense perform without him? It’s simple, Robert Anae will always trust his QB’s running game. Coach Bronco Mendenhall loves running QB’s in terms of a duel threat.
So who will fill the shoes? Sophmore Brennan Armstrong will be taking the leadership spot at QB this season. This young man can put up numbers for just a sophomore player. The player has size standing at 6’2, and has the running ability rushing 15 times for 91 yards in last weeks game.
UVA Takes on UNC this weekend in one of the oldest rivalries in Charlottesville. My guess for which team will take on the victory will be UNC I believe, but the game won’t be far stretched. I could see UVA coming from behind, and taking a victory. This could be the game that could make Brennan Armstrong famous if he leads the Cavaliers to victory.
Devon Sanders in action during his 2019 season in Germany. Photo taken by unknown.
The international American football season is one of the most entertaining, and most special time of the year for many athletes. Many are enjoying the travel, and competition while some are enjoying growing themselves as athletes, and coaches. Devon Sanders on the other hand has taken full advantage of his international opportunity, and looks to take another step up the ladder as he looks to expand his professional football career.
Devon first discovered the international American football route from an old college teammate of his, and shortly after signed his first professional overseas contract in Germany. I asked Devon about his experience, and he mentioned, “My experience was a great one. I’ve never been out of the country and to get to do so while doing the thing I love to do made the experience even better. It took a while to get adjusted to the living and time difference. But it wasn’t to difficult, everything was pretty much what I did back home just relaxed watched tv played Xbox and played football.”
Devon Sanders in action in Germany. Photo captured by unknown photographer.
On tape, Devon is very explosive, and will hit the gaps hard on inside runs, and he appears very shifty once he’s reached the second level. He is very capable of turning a broken down play for a touchdown, or either a long run. He’s viewed as an undersized back, but on tape he can play, and run lights out. Devon has the heart, and knowledge to carry him a long way in the game of football.
I always find myself asking International players what they’d like to say about playing overseas football, and Devon states, “I would tell them to not listen to the negative comments about overseas sports, there is some great competition over there and it’s a great way to get quality film. Fans are amazing it’s gonna be some of the best times of your life. “ This is one amazing athlete to watch out for in the upcoming future. Stay tuned, and see what Devon will bring to the table.
It was an honor to speak with Swarco Raiders QB Sean Shelton about his international experience. For those that don’t know, Sean Shelton is one of Austria’s championship QB’s that shows shows heart, leadership, and talent that has carried him a long way. His time with the Swarco Raiders have been very remarkable as they’re mentioned as one of the top international American football programs from around the world.
Sean is another international American football veteran that has now played in Europe for 6 seasons. Sean mentions that he found out about playing in Europe from a college teammate of his that played in France. I also asked Sean what his experience was like playing internationally, and he stated, “It’s been a blast. I am very fortunate to play for a great organization, and I have been able to live out several of my dreams.”
Sean Shelton In Action Versus The Dacia Vienna Vikings. Photo Captured By Thomas Haumer.
As mentioned, Sean is a championship quarterback. Just last season Raiders took on the Dacia Vikings for the AFL Bowl XXXV in one of the most physical, and defensive games of 2019. Shelton led the Raiders to a perfect season, and possibly for the AFL 2020 season they’re looking to make history repeat itself. Sean can make the most unpredictable plays, shows just how intelligent he can be on the field while leading an offense. It’s very exciting to watch him compete in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe.
I asked Sean for his take for playing overseas, and he mentioned that, “Playing overseas is an eye opening, and life changing experience. Being able to be apart of a team within a new country, and culture makes you want to grow as an individual.” Sean is a great leader on, and off the field, and I’am always expecting great things in the near future from this young man.
The game of American football has made a huge impact on spectator from around the globe. Some wish to play the game while tons go after it. Ambra Marcucci on the other hand has caught a lot of American football spectators attention from her ambition, and her love of the game. One of those spectators are the New York Stars owner of the WFLA Ja Rule, and because of her work ethic she has now signed a LOi to play for the brand new professional football womens league in the United States.
The New York Stars signee began playing flag football for 2 years, and then went on to play with the very first women’s team of Portugal the Porto Dyrrs Women’s American Football Team. Ambra began in to participate in full padded American football in November of 2018. I went on to ask Ambra about her experience with American football. She stated, “I love American football because it’s more than just a sport. The things i’ve learned by playing American football will be carried with me for the rest of my life. Besides staying fit, it’s about respect, discipline, chasing goals, coping with failure, (and success), and team work. Football mimics life in many aspects.”
Action photo of Ambra Marcucci by Line Up Network
Ambra played soccer at the age of 12 in the Netherlands. She comes from a very athletic family where her father was a professional soccer player for several years as well, she mentioned, “When I got to Portugal, and heard about an open practice for flag football, me and my twin sister were curious, and decided to give it a try. Actually we thought it was an open practice for American football so we were a little disappointed. Anyway, I really enjoyed playing flag, and after playing it for 2 years, I thought it was time to start playing real American football, and I never expected this to become my biggest ambition.
As you can see, Ambra’s hard work, and dedication is paying off tremendously. It’s great to see her making a change, and creating the path way for more female athletes who feel as if they’d want to try playing American football as well. Ambra states she has prayed for a moment like this so many times, and still can’t believe it’s happening to her. I’m expect great things from within the upcoming years as her growth as an athlete on, and off the field will be remembered in the most positive ways possible.
AJ Brown in action with the Stralsund Pikes, (Germany). Via Stralsund Pikes Photography.
Have you ever thought of playing in another country? If so, how long, and where? Hallettsville, Texas Native A.J Brown is one of Europe’s import veterans thats played, and coached for more than 7 countries. A.J started his overseas career in 2014 in Serbia for the Pozarevac Stallions. Since then, he’s taken head coaching jobs, and a player’s role. Not only can A.J coach, but the young man can play.
As a player, A.J plays running back, and linebacker. On tape he’s one strong, and physical runner with great size. I was pretty interested when he mentioned the countries he’s played for, such as Germany, Brazil, Egypt, Hungary, Turkey, Poland, France, and more. I’ve spoke with A.J on what his overseas experience, and he responded, “Most recently was in Germany where i played, and was defensive Coordinator for Stralsund Pikes in Germany in 2019, and signed to play for Berlin Thunderbirds for 2020, but now must wait for new season because of Covid 19. My experience playing Overseas have been amazing.”
A.J Brown in action with the Stralsund Pikes Germany. Via Stralsund Pikes photography
A.J of course played American Football outside of Europe as well, and not only did he meet great people on the field but mentions life off the field. “I got to play different levels, and experienced Europe, and Brazil style Football. I also met great friends and teammates in all of these countries and excited to get back on the field once covid calms down and sports start again. I have been apart of Overseas football for 6 years now.”
At the age of 13, AJ discovered overseas American football after seeing few NFL Europe game while doing research on his own about the different countries that plays. That goes to show when you put your mind, time, and effort into anything you want to do, then you can make it happen.
As a player outside of sports, A.J loves to make his family, friends, and his entire support system from the city of Hallettsville, Texas proud. I asked him how he felt about his decision to play overseas, and he replied, “Overseas was a great choice to me, and I encourage others to try it. Overseas life is an amazing experience.”
Photo taken by the Warsaw Dukes American Football Club.
For those who don’t know, this is Coach Craig Parkinson. Coach Parkinson is no stranger to the coaching, and sports world. In 2008 he was inducted into the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Not only is Coach Parkinson a hall of famer, but he’s a state champion, and coached over 650 varsity games for different sports teams. American football 330, Boys Basketball 235, Baseball 77, and hundreds of games as a JV coach starting in 1974.
In 2016 he visited his son in Łódź, Poland, and became the assistant football coach for the Wilki ( Wolves) Łódź for one season, then named head coach shortly after for 2 seasons.
I had the pleasure of speaking to Coach Parkinson about his overseas experience, and he stated, “Coaching in Poland was very interesting. I loved the guys who were playing for the love of the game. Lots of great experiences, and some problems. I had been retired for a few years, but quickly got up to speed, and was able to try some new things. Asst coaches were play/coaches who were part of the founders of the club. OK for practice, but not as good for the game as they were playing.“
Craig Parkinson, and his player during warm ups against the Warsaw Dukes. Via Wilki Łódź booster club.
“We ended up doing some very good things football wise, but the team was always short of money. Then we got moved up to top league. We were competitive before we moved up, but just out manned afterwards. I learned a lot, and was offered another job as head coach in another city, but unfortunately I had some health issues to take care of. In 2020 I became the first baseball coach in Lodz for a team named The Falcons of Lodz. I am very excited about it even at 68 years old!”
“A danger about coaching, and living in Poland is that I met, and fell in love with a beautiful Polish woman who is fantastic, and we got married. I have lots of Polish friends, and started teaching at one of the Universities. So now I have friends from over 50 countries. I love Poland, and have lived here since February 2017.”
It’s safe to say that Coach Parkinson is having the time of his life while continuing to be a legend in the making for global American imports. Even at the age of 68, Coach Parkinson shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Europe’s Player Forer 