Elephants Triumph Over Rhinos 35-28

The 4-1 Elephants defeated the Rhinos from Milan 35-28 to take sole possession of second place in the 9 team IFL, trailing only the 6-0 Parma Panthers of "Playing for Pizza" fame. This week the Elephants take on the physical Marines of Lazio, in Rome, as one of several other teams still jockeying for one of the three remaining playoff spots, with only Parma having clinched a berth. If the Elephants win this week, they will make the playoffs regardless of what happens in the remaining two regular season matches against Parma and Reggio Emilia.

Though the game start time had been accelerated by 30 minutes so the Rhinos would have time to walk back to the airport from the field to catch their return flight, the requisite ambulance did not show up until so late that we almost forfeited the game, as the home team. I thought Mel would have to be sedated when the paramedics finally arrived, but he pulled through.

The Elephants scored quickly on the opening drive with a TD pass, but then Milan's star running back returned the kickoff for a TD, and the race was on. Coach Mel's defense did an excellent job of shutting down possibly the best running back in Italy (Butler), allowing only 3 offensive scores. The offense played well, led by Richard's arm and legs, and with David (from Colgate) scoring 4 TDs. The taste of this victory, which might ultimately knock Milan out of playoff contention, lingered with a sweet revenge after the same Milan-coached team bounced our Bologna Doves out of the playoff picture by just one score only 2 years ago.

As you can see, the game field at our home stadium pictured above includes real grass, unlike our practice field/softball diamond pictured here.

Later in the evening, several players and coaches celebrated downtown at the team bar, Fondo Bianco. Pictured below, from left to right, are all of the Elephant Americanos: Clarence, David, Richard, me, Mel and Luis. (I think it best for all concerned if I refrain from using any last names, as any good Sicilian would attest.)

Tomorrow, on our way across the island to assist a young team in Palermo, Mel and I will be visiting some of the largest and best-preserved ancient Greek temples outside of Greece, in the south coast city of Agrigento, constructed in the 5th and 6th centuries BC. Wish me and the temples luck!

Ciao tutti!