The RAFL (Regional American Football League) Begins its sophomore season next weekend after an incredible growth spurt in the 2007-2008 off-season. At kickoff for its inaugural season the RAFL had 14 members and culminated with a historic season for the Prince William (VA) Monarchs with an unprecedented 20-0 NFA National Championship record which included the RAFL and USFA Metro Bowl Championships. Also in the mix and maybe a bit overlooked are the New York Predators who went into the RAFL Championship game with an equal undefeated record, and then played themselves to a rematch against the Monarchs in the Metro Bowl Championship only to fall short to the Champs once again. None the less, the Predators finished a franchise best 17-2 ranked in the top 20 natonally.This season the stakes have been raised. The RAFL climbed from its inaugural 14 to an astonishing 38 teams for 2008 which includes its first affiliated division, the Grassroots Football League which will participate in the RAFL Championship Tournament. The GFL brings competition from the Cleveland/Pittsburgh areas which include the Pittsburgh Colts (13-2), Ohio Tigers, Mon Valley Mayhem, and Rochester (NY) Renegades.
Also amongst the additions to the RAFL is the team the Monarchs defeated...
The NEPA Miners Football and Entertainment Team are excited to announce their partnership with the Mall at Steamtown as we are proud to be Scranton’s Hometown Team! Season and individual game tickets go on sale today Thursday June 5th at the customer service desk on the first floor of the Mall at Steamtown. NEPA Miners players and Miners Girls Members will be setting up shop outside the Scranton Mall this Saturday from Noon – 6pm as it is NASCAR Weekend in the city and the Mall at Steamtown is hosting a Sports Card Show inside. The Miners organization will be selling season tickets, recruiting potential members for the Miners Girls Entertainment Team and Football Team. Stop by our stand and get an autographed game program from our inaugural season and this year’s schedule. The NEPA Miners home opener is Saturday June 6th 7PM at Scranton Memorial Stadium versus the Schuylkill County Coal Crackers in the 2nd Annual Anthracite Classic. The Coal Crackers seek revenge as the Miners won the inaugural battle 44-14. The NEPA Miners offer the most affordable family entertainment in North Eastern Pennsylvania, go pack up the van with the kids and buy your tickets now! Tickets are...
The NEPA Miners organization is proud to announce that Coach Charlie Wysocki’s amazing story can now be found online at www.charliewysocki.com. Charlie’s Web Site will help share his amazing story on a national level as the Miners expect to see a book written on Charlie’s life and hopefully even a movie some day. Coach Charlie Wysocki is entering his fourth year as part of Coach LaMagna’s coaching staff and currently resides in Carbondale. Charlie was an All-State football player and wrestler at Wilkes-Barre Myers before attending the University of Maryland and becoming there second all-time leading rusher. Charlie had a serious ankle injury his senior year which dropped his stock on draft day. Charlie would receive several free agent offers before accepting a free agent invite with the Dallas Cowboys. During his time in camp with the Cowboys Charlie spoke with legendary Head Coach Tom Landry about not feeling well. This would be the end of his football career as Charlie was stricken with bipolar disorder. Charlie’s life has been full of ups and downs as he continues to battle this illness but now Charlie hopes to help others who battle mental illness. The Miners would like to thank MyNEPA.info for creating...
The Regional Atlantic Football League, MLFN’s award winner in 2007 for the “Best new League East” announced today that it will be expanding……….across the country into the West. The RAFL has merged the teams formerly of the Southwestern Football League (SWFL) based on the west coast into the league creating a Southwestern Football Conference (SWFC) of the RAFL and changing the name from Regional Atlantic Football League to Regional American Football League. The RAFL, already announcing 3 new members on the east coast and with 15 more applicants for 2008, expects more growth to happen on the west coast as well with this announcement. The RAFL will be part of NFA, which coupled with their eastern and western conferences will create national playoffs for the 2008 season.
“It’s a great thing to have teams like the San Diego Thunder see what you’re doing and have the same vision” said Adam Turkel, RAFL Commissioner. “We will have a western conference commissioner over there to help the SWFC with their growth as part of the RAFL as well as assist with the day to day operations of the conference.” When asked if the RAFL will have a “National Champion” Turkel replied, “The format...
The North East Pennsylvania Miners were awarded “Best New Team of the Year” on the East Coast by Minor League Football News. The inaugural season for the Miners was highlighted by eight wins, a playoff appearance and record setting performances by Donnie Jackson-Bey, Malcolm Singleton and Matthew Pfancook. The Miners efforts off the field through community service and family entertainment were also recognized as Miners General Manager Michele LaMagna was awarded “Woman of the Year” for the East Coast by Minor League Football News. The Miners raised over $1000 for the American Cancer Society in the Relay for Life, conducted a mini football camp for the Duryea Wildcats and several benefits for Coach Charlie Wysocki who suffers from Bi-Polar Disorder.
“It is very gratifying to be acknowledged by Minor League Football News for the hard work of many great people in our organization who want to give back to our area” stated Miners Head Coach and President Dan LaMagna.
The Miners intend on playing all their 2007 home games at Scranton Memorial Stadium and are getting ready to kick off their 2008 “Football for the Fans” campaign. The Miners are bringing new competition to the area from the Regional Atlantic Football League...
The North East PA Miners, our areas newest minor league football team is hosting the only professional tryout of the All American Football League (AAFL) in the state of Pennsylvania on Saturday November 17th; registration is 11:30am. The tryout will run from 12pm - 3pm at the Riverfront Sports Complex in Scranton. Kickers will be taken to Scranton Memorial Stadium.
The All American Football League is a newly formed for-profit, professional football league. Teams operate as divisions of the League whose football operations will be run by a quasi-independent board and General Manager. Some of the League's teams are hosted by universities with Division IA football programs and other teams play in independent venues. Games will be played in the spring and early summer.
The AAFL League teams employ only those players who have both completed their college football eligibility and earned a four-year degree. This policy has a very positive impact on universities' NCAA Graduation Success Rate and their Academic Progress Rate. To the extent practical, graduates of host universities will play for the team hosted by their alma mater. Former Penn State graduate who played with the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs has been invited...
NEPA Miners Offensive Lineman Sean Hill had a successful tryout with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers of the Arena 2 Football League. Sean is a 6’5” 330 pound Offensive Lineman who had an outstanding season for the Miners anchoring the left side of the line and being nominated to the North American Football League All-Star Team.
“We don’t want to lose a kid like Sean; he is a good kid and a solid football player. But we also want to see our players advance and hopefully this can open up a door to Arena I for him,” said Miners Head Coach Dan LaMagna. Sean is 25 years old and needs to keep his weight in check to play at his highest level. Sean was actually a Tight End in High School, has played with three minor league teams and played football at Lackawanna College before joining the Miners.
The NEPA Miners plan on having Sean train with Visions Fitness to prepare him for training camp. In the meantime, the Miners are preparing for their upcoming tryout and are looking for Offensive Lineman as the Miners are prepared for Sean to advance and Right Guard Ziggy Wisniewski has retired after an...
The NEPA Miners are 6-1 and have a huge game this Saturday night versus the Central Penn Piranha as the two top minor league football teams in Pennsylvania battle for first place. This is also the first time we are the only show in town as the Yankees and Pioneers are on the road. This big rematch (as Central Penn 7-0 won the first battle 21-14 in Harrisburg) will be American Cancer Society Night as the NEPA Miners continue to support the fight against Cancer. The game is Saturday Night 7:05PM at Lake Lehman's Edwards Stadium. Any additional coverage is appreciated to give our area fans an opportunity to see what NEPA Miners Football is about and to help support the American Cancer Society.
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L to R: Chris Clauss, Mike Washo,
Dan LaMagna & Donnie Jackson-Bey
The North East PA Miners kicked off their inaugural NEPA Miners Night Out and Silent Auction on Saturday evening February 24th at the Regal Room in Olyphant. Over 150 fans, friends and members attended to celebrate a new minor league football team in NEPA.
In attendance to support the NEPA Miners were Lackawanna County Commissioner Mike Washo and his running mate Chris Clauss. Mike Washo offered his support to the NEPA Miners and Chris Clauss shared football stories with the team. Chris Clauss and Miners Owner and Head Coach Dan LaMagna also share a football background as alumni of Lakeland High School.
Introduced to the commissioners were Offensive Linemen Daniel Berlitz and Steve Polzella who were 2006 Minor League News All-Americans and running back Donnie Jackson-Bey who is 336 yards away from breaking the all-time minor league rushing record. Also in attendance was former Meyers and University of Maryland star Charlie Wysocki.
Entertainment was provided by the party band “Shallow” and a silent auction was held throughout the night.
Coach LaMagna was impressed with the support for the NEPA Miners first night out, “This was a great way to kick off our 2007 season,...
Running Back nears national record
The NEPA Miners are proud to announce their first player signing. Running back Donnie Jackson-Bey has agreed to carry the ball for the team in 2007. He is 336 yards away from breaking the all-time minor league career record of 15,301 held by former Scranton Eagle Frank Yanik. Jackson-Bey will attend Wednesday, January 10th’s announcement at 3pm at Uno Fitness in Scranton.
Donnie is a minor league football legend. His collegiate career started at Lackawanna College before continuing at Delaware State. In 1987 Jackson-Bey began six years with the Scranton Eagles. A couple seasons with the Northern Tier Bruins followed, then one campaign each with the Southern Tier Green Machine and Hudson Valley Saints. Currently he resides in Lackawanna County.
The NEPA Miners are the newest member of the North American Football League (NAFL) pending stadium approval. On Wednesday they will hold a press conference to introduce President and Head Coach Dan LaMagna followed by an unveiling of the team’s new look. Uno Fitness is located on the second floor of the Icebox skating rink building in Scranton.
In addition to Coach LaMagna and Jackson-Bey other coaches and players will also attend. A surprise addition to the staff is...
The North East Pennsylvania (NEPA) Miners are a minor league football team bringing a first of its kind football league to North Eastern Pennsylvania that will set the Miners apart from their competitors. While the Miners represent all of North East Pennsylvania, their basis of operations is the Poconos, encompassing the areas of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton. The Miners play in the Regional Atlantic Football League (RAFL) with home games at the area’s finest facilities.
The Miners’ goal is to serve the people of North East Pennsylvania with year-round community service while providing superior customer service and quality family entertainment on Saturday nights during the football season. Led by their President and Head Coach Daniel LaMagna and supported by Charlie Wysocki — a Wilkes-Barre native and legendary football player — the Miners aim to exemplify the utmost in sportsmanship while entertaining their fans. We are Scranton Football at its finest!
The RAFL (Regional American Football League) Begins its sophomore season next weekend after an incredible growth spurt in the 2007-2008 off-season. At kickoff for its inaugural season the RAFL had 14 members and culminated with a historic season for the Prince William (VA) Monarchs with an unprecedented 20-0 NFA National Championship record which included the RAFL and USFA Metro Bowl Championships. Also in the mix and maybe a bit overlooked are the New York Predators who went into the RAFL Championship game with an equal undefeated record, and then played themselves to a rematch against the Monarchs in the Metro Bowl Championship only to fall short to the Champs once again. None the less, the Predators finished a franchise best 17-2 ranked in the top 20 natonally.This season the stakes have been raised. The RAFL climbed from its inaugural 14 to an astonishing 38 teams for 2008 which includes its first affiliated division, the Grassroots Football League which will participate in the RAFL Championship Tournament. The GFL brings competition from the Cleveland/Pittsburgh areas which include the Pittsburgh Colts (13-2), Ohio Tigers, Mon Valley Mayhem, and Rochester (NY) Renegades.
Also amongst the additions to the RAFL is the team the Monarchs defeated...
