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A SEASON IN REVIEW
In one of the most tumultuous season in Patriot history, the players proved they were winners by surviving
all obstacles. In the end, off field success helped make it all worth while. 2009 Here we come!
The season started off will all the promise in the world. An experienced coaching staff was leading the way
and for the first time, the quarterback position was one of the deepest on the roster. Free agency was a
strong point as new veterans were brought in to improve an 07 team that made it to the playoffs. Life can
quickly change though.
Heading into 2008 brought the first road block. The North American Football League, suffering from the
loss of the Detroit Diesels dropping to AA and the new Hamilton franchise never getting off the ground,
allowed the Lapeer County Lions to expand within the 50 mile radios of the Patriots territory rights. Patriot
Director of Operations Brad Lyon, who also became the Central Lakes Division Director when Al Seeder
of Detroit left, supported the Lions addition. "With the loss of Detroit and Hamilton, we need another local
rival for travel costs and fan interest."
The draw back quietly showed on recruiting. The loss of athletes who were from the Lapeer area was
expected. Yet, the proximity of Lapeer to Davison cost the Royal & Blue such veterans as LB Jeff Tody, a
2008 Captain, and NG Andy Tvorik. The organization admits it foolishly never saw those losses coming.
"We never heard from several of our veterans about leaving the Patriots to sign with another team. We
were in the dark until camp started and we saw them with another team. It was very disappointing, a few of
them had even been with us during off season activities," shared team President Leo Lyon.
A group of free agents were still expected to give the Patriots a lift going into the season. Then a
heartbreaking situation came about with Defensive Tackle Jason McMinn. McMinn suffered from Bell's
Palsy, a rare illness that creates facial paralysis. The loss of McMinn was big, as was other new Patriots
like Defensive Back Matt Hutchins who's job transferred him out of state. An early injury during team
conditioning cost the season of Zaakir Kareem, a TE out of Western Michigan.
Then came more sad news. Assistant Coach Tony Tubaro, a highly experienced and successful new face
to the staff, was diagnosed with cancer. The sudden news and immediate need for regular treatment
ended Tubaro's tenure with the Patriots for the season. On the bright side, his health greatly recovered
as the year progressed.
Already thin on the staff with the loss of Coach Tubaro, another big blow occurred. Head Coach Willie
Donahue, who had previously been on the Patriot staff from two years during 2004 and 2005, had to be
released from his coaching duties due to an undisclosed internal issue. This was the second time the
Patriot management had to relieve Donahue of his coaching duties.
With only weeks before the first game, Director of Operations Brad Lyon had to take over as Interim Head
Coach. The loss of the staff meant the loss of the playbooks so a complete system overhaul had to take
place. Thus, an already depleted roster would now be hampered by limited system preparation.
To add insult to injury, Quarterback Tony Bravata stepped down for the season after work complications
aroused from the recent sale of the business he previously owned and still worked for. Bravata had
looked to be the center piece for the new offense and with an inexperienced line, was being leaned upon
to deliver a strong passing game while the running back developed.
David Inman had recently been signed to add quality depth at Quarterback behind Bravata. Since he had
just joined signed, third stringer Jon Watson was given the helm for the opening week as the two split time.
Inman would get his first start in week two versus London and it would prove to be his downfall. Facing
the defending NAFL 2 Champions, a steady pass rush and the talent on the Minor League level got to the
young quarterback, who was only two seasons out of a High School prep career where he was an All Area
and two time All Conference selection. A banged up Inman retired the cleats after that game.
This put Watson back in charge of the Patriot Offense while Wide Receiver Alan Russ would be converted
to Quarterback to back up Watson. As the season would progress, injuries, availability, and effectiveness
would lead to 9 different players taking at least one snap at Quarterback on 2008.
Not daunted by the task at hand, the team looked to improve in the weeks after the London game. Facing
the Indiana Warriors who were in first place in their Division, the Patriots out scored Indian 14-6 for three
quarters. It wasn't enough though as the Warriors road away with a 24-14 victory in Flint.
The following week's game would go down as one of the Patriots all time classic contests. The Detroit
Diesels, who had captured the Central Lakes Division Championship the previous season, would host the
Patriots at Livonia Franklin. The game ended tied at regulation 14-14 after the Patriots failed to convert
an extra point and was inches away on a field goal attempt. The opening kick off in over time truly
demonstrated what sudden death means as the Diesels Kick Returner cut back across the field after
being pinned in and went over 70 yards for the touchdown.
Blessings can come with draw backs too. The already thin roster would now take more significant losses,
though for good reason, as players such as Ryan Walker (Albion) and Benjamin Etherly (Central State)
would have to leave the team as they were awarded the opportunity to continue their football careers in
college.
With depth being a major issue, the Patriots went into their next road trips unable to afford injuries.
However, that was exactly what they got as they received season ending injuries to players such as
Isaiaha Brown (TE), Tom Cole (TE), and Juanito Escamilia (OG). Other starters who had to miss games
with injures were Justin Brown (C), Alan Russ (WR), Dante Yates (MLB), Laquetin Plair (S), and Josh
Maes (WR).
The toll of injuries had so depleted the team that Interim Head Coach Brad Lyon had to be activated for
the last half of the season. This left only Assistant Coach Tom Cole Senior on the sidelines. Even Senior
was activated for one game, a trip to Indianapolis where injuries had so depleted the roster that less than
20 players were available for the trip. Plus, Coach Lyon was doing more than double duty as a player and
coach, he was also coaching a Varsity High School program at the same time.
The end on the field result could only be expected. A promising team failed to scratch at their potential
after the overtime loss to Detroit, finishing winless on the season at 0-10.
Off the field the Patriots made some impressive strides as the season went on. Attendance, which had
dropped significantly for obvious reasons, did an up turn late in the year. Twice the Patriots traveled with
more fans than the home team had. In the last game of the season, a large crowd cheered on the Patriots
at home with the help of Flint Northwestern's very talented and entertaining Marching Band. The Patriot
Insider, once just an in game program, became a full color magazine that is now distributed quarterly
through out Genesee County and surrounding areas.
As icing on the cake for the Patriots off field success. A great opportunity happened that would bring the
program fantastic publicity and also help thank all the Patriot athletes for sticking with the team through
such headaches. The Genesee County Patriots were selected to participate on screen in the upcoming
movie All's Faire In Love. The Patriots play the roles of the lead character's (played by Owen Benjamin)
college football teammates and coaches. Benjamin is the Quarterback in the movie. Other actors in the
film include Christina Ricci, Cedric the Entertainer, Ann Margret, Bill Engvall, Mathew Lillard, and many
other familiar faces. The Lady Patriots are also seen in the movie as the team's cheerleaders.
The movie is expected to have a 2009 release that will coincide with the start of the Patriot season.
Adding to the players playing in the movie, the actual Patriot uniforms are used as well as the Patriot logo.
This should drastically help promote the team in the upcoming season.
Facing all of this adversity speaks volumes for the character of the Patriots roster. Those who completed
the season, barring injuries, showed they were true team oriented athletes that any program would be
proud to have. Yet, failure does offer benefits that victory cannot bring. The motivation and desire that
such a season can produce has no equal from those wearing the victor's wreath. Combined with the
exceptional experience many players gained from getting to see far more field time than anticipated and
you have some formidable advantages gained from 2008.
With the notoriety All's Faire In Love can bring to the team, a lot of attention will be paid to the Patriots
during the coming season. With the advantages gained through an experience like 2008 there could be a
very bright future for the current Patriots. These players have left their mark on the history of the team,
but their whole story is nowhere near finished. "I've been involved with football for two decades, " Lyon
shared. "From a players perspective and through a coach's eyes never have I witnessed a team have to
battle through such adversity. I cannot in words share to you what these players mean to me who made it
through to the end. Never have I been prouder of a group of guys than I have this bunch. It takes a
special athlete to handle everything they did. The volume of their heart cannot be measured. This is a
young team with a lot of years left under their belts. If I can steal a quote from a wiser man than me, their
flag still flies at their battle tent, they have only begun to fight."
Minor League Football is about giving athletes a second chance. In 2009, the entire Genesee County
Patriots gets their second chance. We hope you continue to take that chance with us in 2009.
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