What better way than to watch the Maryland Maniacs, from the Indoor Football League?
Playing at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD, just about half an hour away from the Nation’s Capital, the Maniacs are celebrating their inaugural season and play host to several familiar names and faces such as tight end Jason Goode, quarterback Bryson Spinner, linebacker Kevin Jones, linebacker Durrand Roundtree, defensive back Christian Varner and Alvin “Jerome” Nichols.
A former Maryland Terrapin, Goode, as you may remember, caught the Redskins game-winning touchdown in Brett Favre’s pre-season debut for the Jets last summer.
As a reserve quarterback Spinner, a former Richmond Spider and Virginia Cavalier, was on the Redskins training camp roster in 2005, as was Nichols, who was signed as an undrafted free agent defensive lineman out of Wake Forest. He is now an ownership partner of the Maniacs.
Jones joined the Redskins as an undrafted free agent linebacker out of St. Augustine’s in 2007 but was released prior to the regular season.
Roundtree, another former Terp, was acquired by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent defensive lineman in 2003 but did not make the final roster.
Varner, a former Maryland safety, started 36 of his final 37 games as a Terrapin. He played in College Park from 2004-2007.
Familiar names aside, the Maniacs also boast the best record in the United Conference, tied with their Atlantic Division rivals, the RiverCity Rage at 7-2. Starting out 0-2, the Maniacs are on a seven game winning streak and are on the verge of a playoff birth.
The winning is only a sweet taste of the fan and kid-friendly atmosphere provided by the staff. There are contests throughout the game for fans to win prizes during the game. Fans can meet and greet the players after the game. It’s a very great time overall.
I will be writing for their website during the rest of their 2009 season. There are only TWO regular season home games left. There will likely be playoff games to attend as well so tell a friend and spread the word if you need to watch the best sport in the world since the Capitals are no longer in the Stanley Cup race and the Nationals and Orioles continue to… well… you know the rest.
So Dads. Moms. Take your kids to a game! You will not regret it. It’s inexpensive and the kids will remember it forever.
Below are snippets and links to my article covering Saturday night’s 48-31 victory and quotes from the stars of the game that night.
The Maryland Maniacs continue to surge toward a playoff birth with their latest stroke of fortune coming in the form of a 48-31 victory over the Rochester Raiders Saturday night at The Show Place Arena.
The game was close after the first quarter, with the Maniacs trailing 21-14. After giving up a 7-0 lead, the Maniacs responded with a touchdown reception from Terry Moss and a missed field goal returned 53 yards for a touchdown by Jeff Overton, who was celebrating his birthday. Rochester retaliated with two more touchdowns to take the lead.
Maniacs Notch 7th Straight Win, Tie For 1st Place
Atcheson Conway:
You had a great game. You had at least three passes defended, two interceptions. Have you had a game like this before?
“Not really. This was a good game for me. We need games like this to establish our dominance on the league. We’re a first-year team. Nobody really believes how we’re doing the things that we’re doing. The fact of the matter is we won seven games in a row and the way we won those seven games is by playing dominant defense, whether I make plays or someone else makes plays on that defense, it works because it all goes hand-in-hand. If I’m not making plays somebody else is gonna make plays and that’s just been the way it’s been all season long. Today was just my day. I had a good day. I thank God.”