University Park, Pa. — The curtain came down on the fifth annual Penn State Football Fantasy Camp with a game in Beaver Stadium that ended with a 16-12 Blue Team victory.
It was a perfect June football day in Beaver Stadium as coaches Kermit Buggs, Larry Johnson, Bill Kenney, Jay Paterno and Rick Sayles took their Fantasy Camp squads, with an average age of 48 years young, onto the hallowed turf. Some 250 family members and personal friends cheered on their dads, grandfathers, sons and dear friends under sunny skies as the men battled for Penn State Football Fantasy Camp title.
The players had gone through four practices and numerous meetings with the staff to prepare for this game, a chance only offered to a very limited number of people throughout history. Their workouts proved to work, as the execution on both offense and defense was impressive.
The game remained scoreless after one quarter due to some great defensive plays as freshman Ronald Hoch came up with multiple stops. Hoch was the oldest man on the field at the age of 67 but impressed many.
After three and outs for both teams, things came together in the second quarter offensively. Quarterback Dion Rumsey on the White team connected with Dave Dell for a 13-yard gain and with the flag on the play received an additional 15 yards making it first and ten on the Blue team’s 28-yard line.
It looked like the White team would take the lead on the next play as the intended receiver was in the end zone, but Michael Martin came up big with a pass breakup preventing the score.
On third and 15, Rumsey connected with Gary Golaszewski for 10 yards. Opting to go for it on fourth, Rumsey found another receiver, Mark Koshko for 12-yards and with another flag on the play the White team was first and goal.
That is when the White team called upon Jeff "Country" Balistsos who also just finished the Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp on Thursday, June 10. Balistsos found the end zone on a one-yard run giving his team the early 6-0 lead after a missed extra point.
The Blue team responded with a long 35-yard catch by Charles Berry down the sideline from quarterback Robert Kowalczyk. But all the momentum was squashed on the next play as Gary Golaszewski intercepted the ball quickly ending the drive.
After the white team went three and out, Blue got the ball back and you could see determination in their eyes. With less than two minutes in the half, Kowalczyk connected with William Roberge.
With 18 seconds left, the quarterback found Charles Berry again for a 12-yard gain and capped the masterful drive with a three-yard touchdown catch by Jim Conroy tying the game with six seconds remaining.
Charles Berry found the end zone for an additional two as Blue went into the half with a two point lead after an interception by William Roberge.
At halftime both coaching staff worked on key halftime adjustments which quickly paid dividends on the field. The White team came out firing, ending the Blue team’s first drive as Scott Dickensheets came up with the interception.
Starting with good field position, the white team moved the ball quickly with the "nifty" running – as described by the game announcer – of Jeff Balistsos and a long reception to Scott Dickensheets. Despite a big tackle for a loss of six yards by Jim Conroy, the white team was unwavering as Rumsey connected with Rob Farr for a 15-yard touchdown catch as the team regained the lead 12-8 after a failed two point conversion.
EG Hamill took over in the fourth quarter for the Blue team. Exploding for a eight and nine yard runs followed by a six-yard run by Doug Stewart, they quickly got down to the white team’s own 34-yard line.
On the next play, quarterback Kowalczyk found Hamill again this time for a 25-yard reception. And then Robert Kowalczyk handed off the ball to brother Ray Kowalczyk who ran it outside turning the corner for a 8-yard touchdown run with 12:44 left in the game. With another successful two point conversion, the Blue team took a 16-12 lead.
The White team would nearly take the lead again – making their way down to the eight yard line, but after a bad snap and a great defensive play by Charles Berry, Blue team took over the ball on downs.
With some big runs plays from EG Hamill, Blue kept the drive going not allowing the White team to get the ball back as they went on to win the Penn State Football Fantasy Camp game, 16-12.
Shortly after the final gun an awards banquet was held in the Beaver Stadium President’s Suite, high above the turf on the east side of the facility. While all enjoyed beverages and a sumptuous meal, the game was replayed on the video monitors. Coach Jay Paterno gave the final post-game talk, complimenting the players for their dedication to Penn State, and for their drive to stay young.
All freshmen received an authentic Penn State helmet, while the seven sophomores got their Camp letter blankets, the five juniors showed off the brilliant Camp rings earned by attending and playing for three years, and the four seniors received letterman jackets. Game balls were awarded to EG Hamill and Ronald Hoch and everyone received a team photo and game DVD.
On Sunday, following the wrap-up brunch, each man returned home with a duffel bag full of real Nittany Lion uniforms and apparel, and a lifetime of memories of playing for Penn State. These memories will be theirs forever!
Information on the Penn State Football Fantasy Camp is available at www.PennStateFantasyCamp.com or by contacting Camp Director, Patrick Steenberge: Patrick@globalfootball.com / 817-219-7274.
