Ghosts Touch Football

Blast from the past: Heard from former rusher Ron Van Frankfoort (‘94-95), now living in Ottawa. He makes frequent trips to the GTA and wants to get together with some of the old Ghosts (or Stingers as we were known as back then.) Glenn, Chris Z are in. Anyone else?

Ghosts champions again
What a season! What a team! What an ending! Final score was 19-7. Ghosts were victorious.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your contribution to our success in the regular season (9-1) and the playoffs - D Division Champions.
I feel badly that you were injured early in the season, Anthony. Hope your recovery is going well and that you are scheduled to return to action next season. We missed you.
Matthew Vincent, you were injured and never played at all this season. Hope your a recovering and ready to return next season.
We hope that both of you return next year in our strive for a third consecutive championship.
We hope that you, Scott Freer, find your health and that you return to Ghosts soon.
Jeremy - sorry that you were unavailable for final game duty but we know your thoughts were with us. We have your prize, Jeremy. You had a fabulous season - you got better every single game.
Thanks for attending another Championship game, Chris Z. I am sure it brings back many memories - good and not so good. And you too, John A. Great to have your support on the sidelines. Hope your surgery goes well on the 28th of this month. Be sure to keep us informed of your status and improvement.
Glad that you joined Ghosts, Ouma, and found your niche on defence. Your energy was infectious.
Matt, you were invaluable as a QB, halfback, and receiver. Your versatility and skills never cease to amaze. Even more valuable was your attitude - so positive. Pinball would be proud to see you wearing his #31.
Can you find a player more positive than Alex? Sorry, don't think so! "Sorry I haven't thrown to you, Alex." "No problem. We are moving the ball and I am keeping my defender away from the play." Your versatility meant you could play offence or defence. Unassuming but highly effective. You are a gem.
Kyle, you returned after a long-time absence from Ghosts. What a difference you made! Speed, one-hand catches, moves, dancing - a thing of beauty. I just wish we had videotaped all our games! You allowed me to be less than perfect and made me look exceptional at times when that was far from the case. Just look around at the people on the sidelines and see their faces in awe.
When was the last time we had a bad snap from the Centre? Do you know what year it was?! Rich - your ability to snap the ball perfectly into my hands or those of Matt was nothing short of incredible! You made key catches in the Final that kept drives going.
Chris G, you made outstanding catches throughout the season including yesterday's final. You made it look easy. You made catches high, low, behind, in front,... nothing you couldn't catch.
When you have a core of old-timers who play with reliability, skill and enthusiasm, you know you have a winning combination. Chris 'Sewer' Burski, and Andy 'Doorbell' George made key catches to keep drives alive throughout the year and in the most important game.
No one probably notices but the first to arrive at games, with our goal post pads, is Kevin. Never late - always the goal post pads custodian. Hope your truck gets fixed soon, Kevin. Your reliability and support are exceptional.
If you are going to save your best effort until the final, and perform in a dominant fashion, then your name must be Mr. John C - with a shingle on the door that says 'Outstanding Rusher'. Rushing is a thankless job. More often than not, one looks bad. But there is no more important role in touch football. Walk proudly today. Your exploits last night were unparalleled.
When your task is to organize the defence, you have a daunting task. But when you have the ability to make changes during the game, you put fear in the eyes of the QB. Although you said you felt like you lost a step, Peter, it has not been evident to those on the sidelines. Your speed and agility are superior. You make it look easy.
Well, I guess that's everyone... wait... you forgot the interception king!
Your ability to race to the ball, Graham, and to knock passes down or make timely interceptions was inspiring. And when you were called on to play offence, punt the ball, or perform kick-off duties, you performed like a starter.
We are the Ghosts. We are more than the sum of our parts. Wear a smile today knowing that you made me smile - and proudly so. You all have every right to be proud.
Not sure how many more throws are left in this arm, but you guys sure have made it fun.
Hope you all return next year.
AND, HOPE YOU ALL ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE MTFL YEAR-END PARTY SCHEDULED FOR WED., SEP 12TH AT 7 PM AT INTERNATIONAL SPORTS BAR.
Thanks again for the wonderful memories. Hope to see you on the 12th.
We will be in touch.

Ghosts 2018

I have been waiting for three months to get a photo to accompany this article, but none seems to be on the way. So here we go: GHOSTS WIN CHAMPIONSHIP. Yes, for the second time in four years the Ghosts reign supreme with a thrilling 9-7 victory over the ThunderCats at Mississauga Valleys park in the E Division final. Led by stellar coaching from Glenn Stevenson, a great defence and some timely offence, the Ghosts finished a great season in a game that was as close at the score indicates. The way things started, it looked like it might be a rout. 29-year veteran Chris Burski took the opening kickoff and, using his patented fake pitch move, took the ball deep into ThunderCats' territory. The Ghosts couldn't take it much further, so quarterback Marcus Hobbs kicked a single -- a key point as it turned out. The Ghosts would cross the goalline only twice, with Hobbs hitting Anthony Ciccocelli for a touchdown and 30-year veteran Andy George for a two-point convert. That put the pressure on the defence and it came through big time. Led by 18-year veteran Peter Hampton, who snagged two interceptions, the Ghosts kept the ThunderCats at bay. Kevin and Alex Stewart also picked off passes to frustrate the first-place ThunderCats. Things got a bit scary when the Cats scored late in the game, but a two-point convert fell short of the mark and the Ghosts were champs once again. All in all, it was a remarkable season for the Ghosts, who went 7-3 during the regular season and were unbeaten in the playoffs. All are looking forward to 2018, the team's 42nd season in the league.

The Ghosts are one victory away from their second MTFL championship this decade. They defeated Offerdahl 27-12 Wednesday night in the semifinal, in a game that was far closer than the score indicated. In fact, the Ghosts were clinging to a 14-12 lead in the fourth quarter with Offerdahl knocking on the door deep in Ghosts territory. But a great defensive stand, a time-consuming final touchdown drive engineered by QB Marcus Hobbs sealed the victory. Christian Stewart's last-play interception return for a touchdown was the icing on the crack. For the Ghosts, Hobbs overcame an uncharacteristic 3 interceptions to lead the victory. He threw TD passes to Anthony Ciccocelli and Yves Sans-Cartier. The defence was led by key interceptions from Stewart, Matthew Vincent and Peter Hampton. John Clarizia narrowly missed one and the ball he spiked in anger is reportedly still rolling. Teo Hima had a pair of sacks, though observers on the sidelines believe he had at least two more. The Ghosts are hoping for a more consistent performance in the final against the Thundercats, the team that beat them 2 of 3 times this season. But, we've been there before and know how that turned out.

Sunday was the 4th annual PGA Memorial golf day (for the late Peter Gordon Allan) at Springfield Golf Club. As always, it was a great day and a great way to remember Peter, a member of the 1985 and championship teams.

Couldn't win a championship in football this year (even as an executive), but I was on the championship team in the Etobicoke Seniors Slo-Pitch League. (Hey, you take 'em where you can get 'em.)

No, it's not you. That PGA Memorial picture was really, really, really out of focus. Here's a better one.

Another successful PGA Memorial golf day at Springfield Golf Club. In memory of Peter G. Allan, who left us far too soon and left too many balls in the woods.

Long time, no write, right? Well, there was a good reason: mainly there wasn't much to write about. But the first 8 losses are forgotten as the Ghosts staged one of their typical late-season turnarounds. (Honestly, they should START the season in August, not finish it then.) The Ghosts were dominant in their first victory last week, beating Knibb High 20-6. Glenn Stevenson returned to the starting QB role, mainly because of a shortage of players, and all he did was throw three touchdown passes. Two went to Anthony Ciccocelli. Actually, only one went to Anthony as he stepped in front of Christian Stewart to steal a touchdown from him. But Anthony deserved all the points he got, mainly because he also had a pair of diving interceptions (one of which is normally accomplished only by a guy wearing a cape.) Rich Bachan had the other touchdown, while Christian added a sack and safety touch. It was truly a team effort, with everybody contributing -- except Chris Zelkovich, who pretty much stood on the sideline, pretending to read notes from a clipboard. (On closer examination, the clipboard contained nothing more than directions to the field.) Onward and upward.

Onyx won the E Division championship Monday night, easily beating Showtime (yeah!) Since the Onyx lineup includes several former Ghosts, we claim part of that championship. So that's 1 1/4 championships in 3 years. Boo-yah!