Pre Season "Burn Out"

The Florida Rattlers hosted the Sarasota Riptide over the weekend (September 23, 1996) for a pre-season scrimmage in West Palm Beach. Play got off to a late start due to a so-called "big traffic jam" on I-95 according to those that drove over from Sarasota and a Rattler or two.

When the first game finally got under way, it was with two incomplete teams. The Riptide was missing their class 2's, Scott Graham-who was still in Sarasota, and Dale Santella who still hadn't arrived while the Rattlers were shy Chip Dytko (class 2) and a few potential new players.

Not having 2 full teams a draft was needed. John Bishop (2.0) from the Rattlers teamed up with Sarasota's 3.0 Pat O'Conner, 2.0 Nick Price & 1.0 Ed Hopper to play the Rattlers team of 3.0 Rich Rosenbaum, 2.5 Rich Hearne, 1.5 Dave Harrison & 0.5 Charles Ray. Even as possible with the choices available, everyones happy & ready to rock!

As play finally got underway the scores were traded evenly as is common with these two teams. By the end of the 1st half the Sarasota team had a 2 point lead and both clubs were looking for subs. Mark Zupan (3.0) from Atlanta rolled in and was game to play. Moments later Dale Santella came in with a TV-News Crew in tow. We had thought about calling in the press earlier but decided to hold off and wait for a better opportunity. What's up Dale?

It seems that the big traffic jam on I-95 wasn't an accicent but was due to a fire- and Dale was caught literally "in the middle" of it. Within just 5 miles of the gym, Dale noticed smoke trailing from his VW van and realized he had big trouble. He immediatly pulled to the side of the expressway and had just enough time to get in his everyday chair and lower himself on the lift to the ground before the van was completly engulfed in flames. Gone was the new rugby chair he had just purchased as was the van and everything that was inside it. Fortunatly for Dale he escaped unharmed with a paper bag in hand.

Anyway, the news crew was on the way to a fire and a rugby game broke out. Santella hitched a ride to the gym with the news crew and hopped into an extra rugby chair upon his arrival. At some point between interviews and jersey changes Sarasota went on to win the first game 33-37. A second game was started but canceled at the 1/2 with a 17-17 tie. The Riptide had a Gator fan that insisted on heading to Hooters for the Tennessee/Florida game and that was reason enough to call the game.

Once the "tide" had gone the Rattler players, Mark Zupan and Nick Price went on to play a game with Aaron Banfield (a.b.) playing the part of a class 2. Fun was had by everyone that participated and both clubs got a small taste of things to come. I never did ask Dale what was in the paper bag but I have a hunch it might of been his lunch. "Toasted Farfuknugen"

How to Contact us | Quad Rugby Central Index