Militia semipro football team hungry for title after last season's disappointment

Their regular-season opener was still more than a month away as the Western Connecticut Militia semipro football team toiled away at its training camp session last Thursday at the Newtown Youth Academy.

Nonetheless, there was a sense of urgency surrounding the team, coupled with the understanding that championships that are celebrated on crisp autumn afternoons are paid for in sweat and blood during the preseason.

And after losing the New England Football League's Double-A championship game to the New Hampshire Wolfpack on a last-minute field goal -- after leading 17-3 midway through the third quarter -- the Militia is a team on a mission, plain and simple. They had a taste of success last year in their inaugural season, and they're hungry for more.

"Nobody forgot," said quarterback Kevin Oberg of New Milford. "It's still there, like it happened yesterday. Unfinished business. That's stuck in everybody's head."

It was a tough way to end what had been such a triumphant season for the Militia. They went 9-1 in the regular season, out-scoring their opponents 245-54 and recording seven shutouts. The Militia then beat the Southern New England Rage 16-6 to win the NEFL's Southern Division title and advance to the league championship game.

"We felt like we had a dream season, and it was tough to lose that game, especially when we felt like we were the better team that day," said wide receiver Ryan Mack of Danbury. "We just made mental mistakes and let ourselves down. That definitely gives us fuel for this year. We're ready to get it done this year."

Given the circumstances of that championship-game loss, it was a particularly bitter off-season for the Militia. But it was a productive off-season, too. The Militia moved up to the Triple-A division, which features the best teams in the NEFL. The Militia agreed to a two-year contract extension with Immaculate High School in Danbury, where the Militia will continue to play its home games through 2013. And, perhaps most importantly, head coach Lonnie Young agreed to a two-year contract extension.

"Last season ended on a sour note, however, it is something to build off of," Young said. "Our goal is to get back to the championship game and finish even though we moved up to a higher level."

In order to do so, the Militia signed some important new players who, along with a strong core of returning players, will look to lead the Militia back to the title game.

"We have a huge amount of talent, and we have to find a place for it," Militia co-owner Lloyd Dotson said. "In some situations, we have multiple players who are used to being No. 1, and they have the stats to prove it. That's what the coaches are trying to figure out -- how do we get all these athletes on the field at the same time."

And the jump to Triple-A certainly adds to the challenge.

"Conditioning is going to be No. 1 going into Triple-A," said offensive lineman Mike Swartz. "There is a lot more talent, a lot more speed, size, strength, everything. And the way we didn't finish last year is making us want to do even more this year to get ready."

Oberg is back as the Militia's starting quarterback again this season after earning the NEFL's Double-A Offensive MVP last season and playing in the NEFL Double-A All-Star Game. The former New Milford High and Nichols College standout threw for 1,892 yards and ran for 856 more.

Oberg's favorite target, Mack, is also back. He was the Offensive MVP in the Double-A All-Star Game last year. He will be joined by former Sacred Heart University star wideout Garry Coles. The Kent School product caught 114 passes for 1,260 yards and 13 TDs at SHU. Also keep an eye on wideouts Tyrone Breece of Danbury and Jason Davis.

At running back, watch for former Western Connecticut State University standout Lionel Assie. The 2010 WCSU graduate led the Colonials with 377 yards rushing and five touchdowns his senior year.

"My main goal here is to just come in and help wherever I can, run hard and put some points on the board," said Assie. "We have a strong sense of togetherness. There's a team unity. We're in this together and we're in this all the way."

And of course, none of those guys can do anything without the support of a solid offensive line, and the Militia has one of those, led by Swartz and SHU's Justin Smith -- who both earned All-NEFL honors last season -- and by newcomer Brian Ostaszewski of UMass.

A hard-hitting, ball-hawking defense was the Militia's calling card last season, and that will most likely hold true again this season. Leading the way once again will be defensive end Chansler Davis. The former SHU star was named the NEFL's Double-A Defensive MVP last year after registering 13 1/2 sacks and 26 tackles for a loss despite being constantly double-teamed.

Davis will be joined on defense by returning standouts like linemen Shaun Kellman and Mike Palmer, linebackers Desmond Miller and Rich Zuleg and defensive backs Dan Faison and Raquim Taft of Danbury. Faison, a former standout at Marist, along with Taft, Kellman, Palmer and Miller were All-NEFL selections last year.

The sure-footed Tyler Kurjiaka of Danbury, another All-NEFL pick last year, is back to do the kicking once again.

Fans can catch a glimpse of this year's team on Saturday when the Militia hosts the New York Red Rebels, a powerhouse in the Five Star Football League, in a preseason game at Rogers Park at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free. The Militia will play the Brooklyn Bobcats in another preseason game at Rogers Park on June 30 at 1:30 p.m.

Jobs will be at stake in these preseason games, as the Militia still have several cuts to make. The Militia will open the regular season against the Hartford Whalers on July 22 at 1:30 p.m. at Immaculate High.

The Militia will look to carry last year's success -- both on the field and in the community -- into this season and continue to build upon it. Without ever having played a regular-season game, the Militia drew 700 fans to their inaugural game.

"The city has been great to us," Militia co-owner Carl Oberg said. "The more we get out there, the more support we're getting."

Fans can check out the Militia online at WesternCTMilitia.com.

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