Rebels, Lions Pioneers cruise

The Rebels took care of the expansion Arnold’s Northern Stars in a 54-6 affair that featured a record 3 field-goals, 3 extra points kicks and 3 safeties.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Judean Rebels 311 (photo credit: AARON C)
Judean Rebels 311
(photo credit: AARON C)
Week 4 in the Kraft Family Israel Football League saw a trio of perennial contenders notch convincing victories, with the Talpion Judean Rebels, Clal Tel Aviv Pioneers and Big Blue Jerusalem Lions each demonstrating glimpses of the form that has made them three of the four championship-winning franchises in league history.
On Thursday night in the capital, the Rebels took care of the expansion Arnold’s Northern Stars in a 54-6 affair that featured a record three field-goals, three extra points kicks and three safeties, all in favor of the victorious Orangemen.
Liran “Kozo” Zamir continued his impressive display of boot-work, with much credit going to the offensive line and snap-and-set tandem which allowed him to be successful on 29, 33 and 38- yard three-point kicks.
While the loss dropped the Northerners to 0-3 on the campaign, there were some positives to take away in defeat. Shai Ben David caught his first TD of the season and the defense showed the ability to hold the vaunted Judean attack to 38 points less than the Stars’ previous opponents had hung on them.
On Friday, the Pioneers picked up their first triumph of 2011/12, running away from the Beersheva Black Swarm in a 62-28 smackdown.
Tel Aviv was paced by a strong backfield even in the absence of Shmuel O’Neil, with 203 yards on the ground led by rookie Yonatan Shkolsky, who picked up 81 yards on 13 carries (6.2 per) including three scores.
The Black Swarm were able to move the ball, with Tal Greenblatt, Tomer Frimmer and Brandon McDougald each making multiple big plays. However, four interceptions by Koren Cohen was too much for Beersheva to overcome, as it dropped to 2-2 to fall into a tie for second place in South Division.
The IFL visited Petah Tikva for the first time ever on Saturday night, as the Lions took on the first-year Petah Tikva Troopers in a hard-hitting clash that was closer than the 60-12 final score indicated.
With Chaim Schiff sidelined, Gani Medad had his second straight game with a defensive touchdown, Danny Brill had three scores and Big Blue managed to recover three of its own kickoffs against the still-developing Troopers’ special-teams unit as Jerusalem became the first team to three wins.
Petah Tikva definitely gave its fans some highlights, with a couple of bone-crunching tackles to prevent Lions’ scoring plays and a pair of TDs as well. However, after a tight opening quarter, Big Blue found its groove and took it into another gear.
This weekend, the IFL has a two-game slate, with the ISD Jerusalem Kings facing the Rebels on Thursday night the Chanuka Bowl (8 p.m. @ Kraft Stadium) and the Northern Stars hosting the Versafe Hatikva Hammers on Friday morning in Shlomi.