SCC football gears up to tackle 2011 season

Blake Jackson, tight end, when asked what sets the Artichokes apart from all other football teams, answers in one word, "swag."

Jackson holds the title of the country's number one NJCAA tight end recruit.

If any team is ready to kick off this season, it is SCC's amped up Artichokes. With the team's swagger and drive for perfection, both coaches and players are expecting nothing short of a great season and record to match it.

The Artichokes finished up the 2010 season with a 6-4 record, and they are already living up to their "good to great" motto for this          season.

"I think that where we're at now with all of those young guys that are returning to start for us again, that it's time for us as a program to go from being good to great," Doug Madoski, head football coach, said.

The team's foundation consists of persistently challenging each other and themselves with every single repetition.

"Our players are very driven and determined," Tommy Ziegler, assistant coach and offensive coordinator, said. "They want to do well and want to see each other do well."

"It's a different kind of group this year," Ziegler said. "They are really selfless, which is rare especially at this level."

Madoski said experience is one of his team's strong points, with more than a handful of players returning to tackle this season.    

"I think experience is certainly big for us, to return that many guys that were those kind of players from one year to the next is certainly going to be beneficial," Madoski said. 

The essence of any football team is its offensive line and SCC's is dominated by talent and experience. They are ready to hold up to all attacks and keep the quarterback safe in order to make their adopted saying, "make it rain," a reality on the field this season. 

"We throw the ball so much, we want to make it rain touchdowns," Ziegler said.

October is a big month to look forward to for Artichoke football. It is packed with the team hitting the road for two out-of-county games and three games on the fighting Artichokes turf, one being SCC's Homecoming game set for Oct. 15. 

"Glendale Community College is always a huge game for us," Madoski said. The teams are scheduled to face off on the SCC green on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. 

 "We shouldn't lose a game," Jackson said. "Honestly, this is the best football team I've been a part of so far in my football career.   We have the athletes, the talent, and the coaching to do it, so I don't see us losing."

With two wins already in the Choke's pocket, there are no signs of stopping this team's sprint to the top.