IFL e-Newswww.IFL.co.il

Page 1 of 5 The Israeli Contact Sport

The Monthly IFL e-Newsletter keeps supporters updated on what’s hot and happening in Israeli tackle football.

Issue: # 4, December 29, 2010

Upcoming ScheduleHolon Stadium: Sat. Jan 1 @8:45 PM

Hammers vs. Pioneers

TA University: Sat. Jan 8 @ 9:30 PM

Pioneers vs. Rebels

Holon Stadium: Thurs. Jan 13 @ 8:30 PM

Hammers vs. Sabres

Yogneam: Fri, Jan 14 @ 10:30 AM

Underdogs vs. Lions

Micha Reisser: Sat, Jan 15 @ 9:00 PM

Black Swarm vs. Kings

Yogneam: Thurs. Jan 20 @ 8:45 PM

Underdogs vs. Sabres

TA University: Fri, Jan 21 @ 11:30 AM

Pioneers vs. Kings

Standings:

Advertising

Team W L T

NorthSabres 5 0 0

Pioneers 3 2 0

Hammers 2 3 0

Underdogs 0 5 0

SouthRebels 4 1 0

Lions 4 1 0

Kings 1 4 0

Black Swarm 1 4 0

Making Sense of the Midseason Madness

Feature Photo of the Month

Herzliya Hammers RB Jenya Lerer gets taken for a ride by a pair of Haifa Underdogs defenders during the teams’ clash

in Holon. Herzliya scored the game-winning touchdown on the last play of the afternoon to claim a 36-30 conquest. Special thanks to photographer Or Haim

Yes, almost unbelievably, half a season has already been played. Yet, the Kraft Family IFL cup is certainly stillmore than half full, with the most intense part of the schedule still to come and all eight teams in the leaguejust beginning to cast an eye towards postseason positioning.

December was a pivotal month, with each team slated for at least two games and the powerhouses andstragglers stepping into defined roles as the 2010/11 season entered its prime.

Any discussion about the premier clubs in the IFL must begin with the Arthur’s Tel Aviv Jaffa Sabres, who sitatop the South Division with a perfect 5-0 record. The reigning champions came charging into December onthe heels of a convincing home triumph over the Big Blue Jerusalem Lions and dispatched both the RealHousing Haifa Underdogs and Papagaio Jerusalem Kings on consecutive mid-month Saturdays at Wolfson.

The Sabres took an undefeated 2010 mark (at least in games that count) into their marquee showdownagainst the Gush Texas Judean Rebels, who also brought a 2-0 monthly record into their clash with TAJ. Withvictories over the Kings and the Travel Leader Beersheva Black Swarm, the Orangemen remained in a first-place tie in the South with the Lions, who were the third December 2-0 team in the IFL, having stylishlyhumbled both Beersheva and the expansion Leo Bloom’s Herzliya Hammers.

(Continued on page 5)

IFL e-Newswww.IFL.co.il

Page 2 of 5 The Israeli Contact SportIssue: # 4, December 29, 2010

Getting to know Jeremy Sable,Offensive Line/ Linebacker for Arthur’s Tel Aviv/ Jaffa Sabres

Jeremy Sable, Age 24, MLB #60, 2nd year in IFL

Q: How long have you been playing American Football? A: I played organized football for only one year while in high school. I was on the 9th grade team at Cheltenham High School and played right guard and MLB. I had to stop playing following that season because the games moved to Friday nights and I would not play on Shabbat.

Q: Who is your favorite athlete?A: (Former Philadelphia Eagles Hall-of-Fame Linebacker) Chuck Bednarik - the reason I wear #60

Q: What is your greatest strength when it comes to playing football? A: Always playing no matter how hurt I am.

Q: Who is the funniest guy on your team (The Sabres)? A: Roni Srisuren.

Q: When you were a kid, you wanted to be a __________ when you grew up. A: A professional baseball player.

Q: Do you have any secret talents?A: In high school I used to build custom furniture and then went on to teach wood shop for two summers at the summer camp I attended as a kid Camp Ramah in the Poconos.

Q: What is your favorite quote? A: "You are wherever your thoughts are, make sure your thoughts are where you want to be." (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov) - my 12th grade year book quote at Cheltenham high, same high school as Reggie Jackson and Bibi and Yoni Netanyahu.

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: A Bronx Tale

Q: What is your favorite food? A: Hummus

Q: What has been the worst football injury you have sustained? A: I broke my hand this offseason in practice, made me miss both of our preseason games.

Special Thanks to: Jeremy Sable for the interview

Follow the IFL on Facebook and Twitter. Find rides to games, &

keep in touch with players and fans !

Starting in December, catch the IFL weekly TV show during half-time of METVs NFL broadcasts.

Catch live play-by-play of all IFL games with Andy & Ari at: Israelsportsradio.com

The IFLis always looking for

people to get involved in any capacity. If you are

interested,Email:

Commissioner@IFL.co.il

IFL e-Newswww.IFL.co.il

Page 3of 5 The Israeli Contact SportIssue: # 4, December 29, 2010

IFL High School Tackle Football League

The IFL strongly believes that high school tackle football in Israel will introduce the sport to even more new Israeli households across the nation. Our inaugural IFLHigh season will be kicking off in January. This is an extremely exciting time, and YOU can make a BIG difference by being part of this great opportunity. We have our first five IFLHigh teams in the following high schools and regions across the country:

The IFL is looking for more

Coaches and RefereesIf you are interested please contact

Yossi Fuchs at 050-821-1344

1. Leyada Rhinos

2. Boyer Predators

3. Kiryot Ono Wolves

4. Kfar Saba Hawks

5. Jerusalem Orli Print Ravens

IFL Getting Worldwide Exposure

The Israel Football League has been recognized recently by international news networks. Most notably by CNN and The New York Times. If you have not yet seen the feature articles and videos, please take the time to check out the links below. Feel free to share or pass these links along to family and friends.

New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/sports/28israelfootball.html?src=me&ref=sports

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/sports/2010/11/11/flower.israel.american.football.cnn.html

Media Line: http://www.themedialine.org/news/print_news_detail.asp?NewsID=30672

Video: http://media.themedialine.org/media/101129_football.wmv

Philadelphia Inquirer: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/112419439.html?page=1&c=y

Defensive Player of the Month

Offensive Player of the Month

Honorable Mentions: Ayoub Ellayan #5 – LB, Judean Rebels,

Matt Gellar #93 – DL, Judean Rebels

Alex Zinker #41 – DB, Leo Bloom’s Herzliya Hammers

Marshall Mullinax #28 – DB, Papagaio Jerusalem Kings

Honorable Mentions: Brandon McDougald #20 – RB, Travel Leaders Beersheva Black Swarm

Binyamin Schultz #41 / Idan Yaron #88 – WRs, Big Blue Jerusalem Lions

Jarrod Walerstein #40 – RB, Dancing Camel Tel Aviv Pioneers

Sol Rojhani #5 – RB, Arthur’s Tel Aviv/Jaffa Sabres

Ron Moscona #88 – DB/KR, Dancing Camel Tel Aviv Pioneers

Itay Ashkenazi #9 – QB, Big Blue Jerusalem Lions

Ashkenazi led the high-powered offense of the Jerusalem Lions to a 2-0 record this month, while averaging 47 points per game. Ashkenazi completed 61% of his passes for 348 yards and 9 touchdowns on his way to taking over the league lead in passing yards. Ashkenazi also ran for 2 touchdowns.

Moscona had 5 interceptions in two games this month as the Pioneers won both of their tests. Moscona tallied 3 interceptions in a thrilling 30-26 win over the Underdogs, all coming at pivotal moments in the game. The Pioneers now stand at 3-2 and 2nd place in the North Division, in large part due to Moscona.

IFL e-Newswww.IFL.co.il

Page 4 of 5 The Israeli Contact SportIssue: # 4, December 29, 2010

League Leaders - Offense League Leaders - Defense

Passing Yards

Receiving Yards Interceptions

Rushing Yards Sacks

Tackles1.Yoni Cooper Lions 44

2.Matt Geller Rebels 42

3.Gadi Lahav Swarm 37

4.Ayoub Elayyan Rebels 37

5. 4 more with 34 tackles

2.Alex Swieca Rebels 589

4.Tal Avivi Swarm 421

3.Adi Hakami Sabres 478

1.Itai Ashkenazi Lions 600

5.S. Yeshurun U Dogs 414

1.Adam Zenou Sabres 310

2.B. Schultz Lions 247

4.Erez Regev U Dogs 220

3.Idan Yaron Lions 237

5.Joe Martisius Rebels 197

1.Ron Moscona Pioneers 5

2.Tal Brown Pioneers 3

3.Moshe Shor Kings 3

4.E. Boymelgreen Rebels 2

5. 4 more with 2 interceptions

1.Sol Rojhani Sabres 326

2.J. Walerstein Pioneers 218

4.B. McDougald Swarm 185

3.J.Tannenbaum Kings 198

5.Zahi Gradstein Hammers 169

1.Mussa Elayyan Rebels 5.5

2.Ayoub Elayyan Rebels 4.5

3.Mo. Elayyan Rebels 4.5

4.Jeremy Sable Sabres 4

5.Roni Srisuren Sabres 3.5

Pictures are compliments of Adlai Maschiach. Become a fan on facebook @ Adlai Maschiach, Photographer

IFL e-Newswww.IFL.co.il

Page 5 of 5 The Israeli Contact SportIssue: # 4, December 29, 2010

Special Thanks to: Uriel Sturm, Commissioner of the IFL, for writing this recap.

Created by Joshua Golden, Public Relations © Israel Football League, 2010

(Continued from page 1)

The first-year franchise may have began the month with a thrilling last-second edging of the Underdogs,however a double dose of dominating December defeats, to the Lions and Dancing Camel Tel Aviv Pioneers,left the Hammers under .500 for the first time and all too pleased to leave 2010 in their rearview mirror.

Not as much the Underdogs, however, who closed out a disappointing year with the heartbreaker in Holonto go along with setbacks to both the Sabres and Pioneers. Stuck in an extended rut, Real Housing has nowlost 11 straight contests, dating back to December 2009, although Ori Shterenbach finally seems to have histroops ready to compete, especially with four of their last five games being home dates for Haifa.

The Kings and Black Swarm had a troublesome time producing points in December also, both falling inback-to-back games going into New Year’s weekend. Papagaio put up a decent fight in its pair of setbacks, tothe Rebels and Sabres, while Beersheva was handed its tail in the capital over two straight Thusdays by theLions and Rebels.

Dancing Camel made the biggest move upwards over the past four weeks, overcoming an 0-2 stumble outof the gate to capture consecutive character-building conquests of the Black Swarm, Hammers andUnderdogs to rise to second place in the North and clearly establish themselves as part of the league’supper-echelon.

All in all, with three out of four teams in each division qualifying for postseason play and the top seeds ineach bracket receiving a bye straight to the semis, the action at both the top and bottom of the league issure to stay scintillating right through to the very end. If years of football fandom have taught me anything,it is the foolishness of predictions. With all eight teams each having five games left and three weeks ofplayoffs to follow – 26 games in total – the only advice I can give you is buckle up and hold on for dear lifeon what is sure to be a wild two-month ride.

Seasonal Team Stats

OFFENSE

Team

Total

Yards/game

Rushing

yards/game

Passing

yards/game Rushing TD Passing TD

2pt-conv.

Success rate Points/game

Rebels 205.8 95.4 161 10 17 55% 48.4

Sabres 261.8 170 107 17 12 52% 40.8

Kings 150.8 103.8 38.4 9 2 64% 16.6

Pioneers 224.2 154.6 76.4 14 7 36% 30.4

Lions 239.2 99.4 142.8 7 15 42% 36.4

Hammers 187 103.2 98.8 5 8 46% 19.6

Underdogs 173 91.4 82.8 12 6 29% 24

Black Swarm 222.4 101.4 104 4 8 33% 16

DEFENSE

Team

Yards

Allowed/

game

Rush yards

allowed/

game

Yards

allowed/rush

Pass yards

allowed/

game

Takeaways

/game

2pt-conv.

rate allowed

Points

allowed/

game

Sabres 174 83.2 6.44 87 2.2 13% 18.4

Rebels 179.4 105 4.22 61 3 13% 20

Kings 203.6 122.6 3.13 119.6 2.4 52% 32.8

Lions 184.4 112.2 4.14 91.6 2.2 30% 22

Black Swarm 238.4 116.8 4.61 103.2 1.8 39% 32.4

Hammers 225.4 114.8 3.88 123.8 2 70% 39.2

Pioneers 214.6 104.8 4.74 101 3.4 26% 21.6

Underdogs 244.4 159.8 3.78 124 1.4 74% 45.8