Author: Marking My Words

For the first time in a year, members of our great league met for our annual Jamboree. Among those present were LAEFL Commissioner and MFCA Hall of Famer ERob, defending champion Anthony, Cleon, Aja, and Mark Jr acting as moderator directing traffic especially with our Las Vegas members including the marvelous return of Perry Burke, Erick Thompson, and MFCA Hall of Famer Mike Turner. Also in attendance via satellite were Isaac Cash and Shabby J who were out on injuries. Unfortunately, we as a league lost two members in Leon (Cowboys) and Mark Sr (Rams) due to lack of participation. The meeting lasted approximately 2 hours discussing how we will move forward with the completion of the 2020 and 2021 season including a kickoff weekend at TWO locations in Bullhead/Laughlin and the Inland Empire the weekend of July 30^th and Rule proposals and changes to our season. Here are the significant changes that were approved for league play starting at the end of the month.

1. ITZ Round Bases
   • As ITZ released its new round base, it has been approved for league play but will only be limited to the quarterback
2. Field Goals
   • The offense will now have control over how long the play will be ran for similar to a pass play. As soon as the board stops the coach will still have 5 seconds to place their kicker down and make the kick. Failure to do so will result in a blocked kick.
3. The Box
   • A formal rule will now be written that the two coaches playing each other will discuss whether or not they will use the box for penalties. However, if one coach decides that they want to use the box, the box will be used throughout the game.
4. Throw Away
   • To coincide with the purpose of the running clock, a coach will no longer have to physically throw away the football and can call a play incomplete.

An important Item that was clarified is the use of the running clock reminding coaches that the clock will only stop after a scoring play with exceptions in the 1-minute and 2-minute warnings. This rule was supposed to be re-voted on this year, but due to COVID, the rule will be revisited at next year’s Jamboree.

We have all been waiting for the re-start of our league and welcome in new sponsors, Dad’s Elixir and Hi-Def Brewing. Here are our official teams for the 2021 Season:

Ajah -Vikings

Anthony – Steelers

Cleon – 49ers

Craig – Chiefs

Earl – Texans

Eric R – Raiders

Eric T – Lions

Isaac – Eagles

John – Browns

Perry – Cowboys

Mike – Broncos

Mark – Bills

Shabby – Jets

Let’s try this again in other words!

-Thomas Aldrich

The day has finally come for official games to get back into action!

After negotiations with team owners/GMs and the coaches and Commissioner, Up to 6 teams will participate at Veterans Stadium in what will count as LAEFL official games. So far, 5 teams have committed to the one day event (Eagles, Raiders, Steelers, Bills, and 49ers) and the league is still waiting on one more addition. Teams that declined due to scheduling are the Browns, Texans, Lions, Chiefs, and Ravens. Teams still working on a deal between the GMs and Coaches are the Rams, Jets, Cowboys, and Vikings.

The decision came after a successful scrimmage between Isaac and ERob to test out the league can be distanced while maintaining the safety and wellness of the coaches. Many games will be broadcasting on Facebook Live.

The league will have another game day event Saturday July 11th with 2 coaches officially ruled out (Rams and Bills) due to a previous family commitment.

Happy to be back and good luck to all the coaches the remainder of the way!

-Thomas Aldrich

While we are close to the effects of the COVID-19 Lockout being lifted, many teams and coaches are itching to get back to this wonderful game. Just like the buildup to the initial Season Opener, jaws are moving and the intensity is at an all-time high. Although the schedule has not been released, it leads us to wonder what games need to played in a smashing comeback for the ages.

1. 49ers vs Jets (The Smoke-A-Bowl): The stars aligned for the highest anticipated game in LAEFL history. It was the first game officially scheduled and the lockout put a damper on what would have been the ride of a lifetime. While both coaches enjoyed their gardens separately, The Chalice needs a home quick!
2. Raiders vs Steelers: The classic rivalry comes to the board with Ant’s new look team against his longtime rival ERob. While the respect will always be there, the taste of defeat still lingers on the tongues of the Oakland squad. Despite there being a new group of men on the block, the coaching is still there and the Steel Curtain’s reputation is on the line.
3. Rams vs Cowboys: Coach Mark Sr. and Coach Leon loss their first games. However, both coaches did not go down without a verbal fight. The beauty and basis of this league has been its trash-talk and these two can make the game as excited as can be with their war of words.
4. Bills vs Vikings: Ajah and Mark II have history with their 21-point comebacks. The younger Holguin is in his third season and coming into his own with the pre-season chatter towards his rival in Minnesota. Expect nothing but a truly loud, obnoxious, sailor-mouthed LAEFL game if given the opportunity
5. Browns vs Texans: John wants Pittsburgh. However, both teams have the same record with losses to Show Contenders. One needs to remember the infamous pre-season game that sent Rev into revenge tour and a number one seed. Both teams have a strong running game but each team’s air attack will be a showcase worthy of a welcome back.
6. Eagles vs Lions: Eagles are in line to win The Show. Another test will be the Eric Thompson’s Lions who have battled hard in past LAEFL seasons. The lone ranger from Vegas is set to make a trip and if we are able to gather as a group, this can certainly be a Game of the Year nominee.
7. Ravens vs Chiefs: If the Ravens show up, it should be a closer game. Two rookies looking for their first LAEFL win and each have a tremendous RPO designed for big yards and big numbers on the stat sheet.

So while Commissioner ERob is setting up a plan of attack when this is all over, every just needs to be ready for whatever may come their way.

-Thomas Aldrich

There are and have been plenty of rivalries in the LAEFL: Ant/Erob, Cello/Vince and the famous, “Smoke-A-Bowl,” between Shabby J and Cleon. However, these rivalries have taken years to develop on the field through friendship and competition. Never has there been a rivalry created immediately involving a Rookie Coach and no official game under their belt…until now.

Mark Holguin II brought his father, Mark Holguin Sr, into the world of EFL and in a bizarro-world scenario it was the son teaching his dad how to play. Little did the younger Holguin know that his father continued to study the game, its gameplay, and the extra-curricular activity that follows. In their second scrimmage together, Mark II opened his defense to allow the elder Holguin a chance to create a big play. When he was about to explain a rule, Mark Sr, finished the rule and added, “Hit the switch b***h!” Mark Sr and his Los Angeles Rams won the scrimmage 21-7. That day and since his inclusion in the league, all the LAEFL talks about is how this father/son game will become the next great rivalry. With that, the “273.5 Bowl,” was created and with that a trophy that was fitting for the occasion.

The Name: In Los Angeles, Penal Code 273.5 means a domestic or family disturbance. This has been something that both Mark Sr, a retired Los Angeles Police Officer, and Mark II, a Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Technician, have responded to plenty of times in their careers.

The Trophy: The trophy was originally belonged to the youngest member of the Holguin household, Jacob, as it was his only football trophy. Now that there are numerous baseball trophies, awards, baseballs noting milestones in his career such as first strikeout in college, first save, and a few no-hitters, he had no problem parting ways with it.

Colors: Half powder blue and gold to represent Mark Sr’s alma mater UCLA and half maroon and gold to represent Mark II’s alma mater Arizona State. In the middle of the helmet, there is a navy-blue stripe to signify the uniform they shared in civil service.

A decal will be placed on the side of the winner indicating the year they won. In talking to Mark Sr, ahead of their match he can’t wait to begin this new rivalry and later added, “You are going to have to make the all blue. You won’t have enough room to put my wins on there.” His son Mark II, simply responded, “There may need to be extra security on hand for this game.”

-Thomas Aldrich