Welcome
This site is an on-line player profile for Professional/Semi-Professional American football player Scott Tyrcha, Jr. Scott has played in many Indoor and Outdoor football leagues throughout his career including the AF2, NIFL, UIF, CIFL, NAFL and MCFL. He has recently retired from playing football and is looking forward to try his hand at coaching.
Officially Retired
As of April 22, 2008 I am retired from playing football. The season has been long, grueling and stressful. I am physically and mentally exhausted and I felt that it was in my best interest to walk (limp) away from the game while I still can. I've had a laundry list of nagging injuries that I just don't have the strength to fight anymore. I wish my teammates and the owners of the Milwaukee Bonecrushers the best of luck with the rest of the season.
For now I will relax, heal and concentrate on the next chapter of my life. Coach Tyrcha sounds pretty good...
CIFL Season Update 0-3
Now that a quarter of the indoor football season has been played I felt that I should write an update. Things haven't gone quite as well as expected with the Milwaukee Bonecrushers. We have started the season at 0-3 with our latest home loss being to the fellow expansion Flint Phantoms. Our Offense seems to be starting to click, even though our O.C. decided to quit the night before playing Flint. The Defense, on the other hand, hasn't quite figured out this indoor game. We are giving up points on an average of 62 points per game.
Up to this point I feel I've been doing pretty well. I was forced to miss the second game of the season against Muskegon due to an "acute attack of Gout". My teammates keep telling me that I have been performing at a high level, so I'll just continue to try to get better. Hopefully we'll be able to get that elusive first win next week in Marion, OH.
Back Indoors
Now that one of the hardest seasons I've had to endure is over, it's time for me to refocus my training for the indoor game. I have signed on to play with the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the CIFL. The season starts around March, so I will have a little time to get my head right after being treated like a second rate citizen in Racine. I'm chalking this indoor season up to the one I should have played when my knee exploded. I have a lot of goals and unfinished business to take care of in this league. Stay tuned to see what's next.
One And Done
As expected we were forced to play against Kane County in the first round and the NAFL playoffs. We didn't fare as well as we did a couple weeks ago and got rolled 48-17. The game was ugly from beginning to end. Our Defense couldn't stop anything and our Offense never showed up. I didn't get into the game until 13 minutes left in the game. While it was garbage time they did let me play Ironman by playing Left Tackle and Right Defensive End. It was, by far, the most fun I've had the entire season. I ended up registering a sack and two tackles in my first time ever playing Defensive End. I also didn't give up a sack and we had a nice double digit gain right behind me. I feel like I proved my point.
Division Champs!
In the most anticipated match up of the season, we beat Kane County 35-28 in front of over 2,500 screaming fans. The game was electric from the beginning with the Eagles scoring 21 points in the first quarter. From there it was just a slug-fest. We managed to outlast the Eagles with them ending the game on our 6 yard line with 6 seconds to go. From people getting ejected from the game to players being hauled off the field on a stretcher, this game was one for the ages.
I managed to get on the field by being on the Field Goal/Extra Point team. My efforts to get on the field by changing to the Defensive side of the ball were thwarted by the powers that be yet again. With the playoffs now coming, I'm not sure I will be factor for the rest of the season. Better yet, without having a clear cut idea of where my place on the team is I fear I may never see the field again. I guess will just ride this thing out and see what, if anything, happens. Stay tuned.
We Managed Not To Lose
This past weekend we played the Milwaukee Marauders on a beautiful night at Historic Horlick Field in Racine, WI. The weather was amazing, but the football wasn't. A team that we handled earlier in the season (42-14) decided they didn't want to go down as easy this time. The game was filled with miscues, penalties and just overall dumb crap. While I can't say this was my worst outing since being back in action it certainly wasn't my best. I played very sparingly at right tackle and left guard. While playing right tackle I found out exactly why I haven't felt comfortable playing the position when a guy with a little speed went wide on me. I just didn't have the quickness in my kick step to get to the guy. Once I was moved to left guard, however, things felt a lot more comfortable and I think it showed. Overall I'm glad this game is over.
Due to the Hoosier Hurricanes folding in the middle of the season, we have another bye week. We will return to action next week when we finish up the regular season against our rivals the Kane County Eagles. Whoever wins this game gets home field for the first round of the NAFL playoffs and bragging rights for the division. Also, due to the fact that I haven't been on the field as much as I would like coupled with my knee progressively getting better I plan on moving over the defensive side of the ball. While we seem to have stock piled offensive lineman the defensive line seems to be thinning out, so I'm going to seize an opportunity. Check back after the Kane County game to see how we did.
The Shockers get Shocked
The Kansas City Shockers came into Historic Horlick Field with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Last week they knocked off our rival, Kane County, in Kansas City and thought that they could do the same in Racine. However, we put foot to butt and took care of business by winning 40-21. In a surprise move that I wasn't expecting, I played a decent portion of the game at Right Guard. The first series was a little shaky, but after I knocked a little more rust off it was like putting on an old pair of shoes. It felt amazing to finally be able to get back to doing what I do. There is much room for improvement, but that's to be expected with almost two years out of football. Late in the fourth quarter I went back out to Right Tackle and finished the game. While I still don't feel comfortable playing out on the edge it's starting to click a little bit. I must have been doing something right because I didn't give up a sack while going against a guy that is being looked at by a lot of AFL teams. Apparently he's already signed up to play in the AF2 this coming March. So if I'm looking for a positive there's one.
This week we have a league mandated bye week, so there will be no action this weekend. Our next game will be against the Milwaukee Marauders in Racine. I've heard rumors that they have been trying to grab everyone out of the IFL, so they should look a little different on the field. I think this is a good thing considering we beat the crap out of them at their place earlier in the year. Stay tuned!
1st Game Back; Rusty...but OK!
FINALLY, I'm back! On a very frigid, sloppy night in Fredonia, WI my new knee and I made our post surgical debut against the Wisconsin Bulldogs. This was the first game I was able to play since October of 2005. I was a little rusty at times, but I was able to gain more confidence and get into a rhythm as the game progressed. I have a lot of work to do in order to get back to my previous form, but I liked what I was able to do given the circumstances. We beat the Bulldogs 24 to 11 which looks a lot closer than it actually was.
This week we are going to be facing a better opponent in the KC Shockers, so I'm going to have to continue to get that much better. They were able to do what we couldn't in knocking off perennial powerhouse Kane County Eagles. Now it's our turn gain more momentum as the playoffs near and take out the Shockers at our place. Check back next week to see how we did.
Clean Bill Of Health
As expected, I was released to start playing again. Again, the surgeon was taken back by how fast the knee has recovered from the surgery. I was able to shave off almost four weeks of recovery time. Now it's just about getting the knee back in shape and finding my way back onto the field. My next update, hopefully, will be a recap of a game that I played in. Stay Tuned!
On The Mend
Well, as promised, here is an update on the latest knee surgery. I am almost a week post-op and everything seems to be going as planned. I was told the actual surgery went better than expected and the knee seems to acting as such. Even my Physical Therapist was a little taken back at the lack of swelling and almost full range of motion 48 hours after the surgery.
The first diagnosis before the surgery was eight weeks of recovery and after the surgery it was six weeks. We'll see if there's going be another reduction in recovery time after today's therapy session. Stay tuned.
Sneaking In For A Cameo
Being that I am going back under the knife on July 10th and will be looking at anywhere between 6-8 weeks of recovery time, I have decided to, at least, sneak onto the field during a couple pre-season games. I know this is against the doctor's wishes, but it's either this or face the chance of spending another season on the sidelines with the equipment manager. With my luck I might just wake up from surgery with a nub, so I'll take what I can get at this point.
I am going to be playing in very limited situations on offense, but at least I get to remember where the pads go and how to strap up my helmet. If all goes well I might actually get the jersey dirty. By the way, could I interest you in some high quality H2O?
Back On The Slab
Since having my ACL repaired last August my knee has never felt quite right. I've been trying to push it in practice with the Raiders, but I'm still not able to do what I am supposed to be able to be doing at this point on the field. After meeting with my new Orthopedic Surgeon yesterday and looking at my new set of MRI's it became clear as to why I haven't been able to get back to 100%. Apparently I still have some meniscal tearing and a build up of scar tissue around my new ACL. So it looks like I'm going back on the slab for yet another Scope on my knee. Once a date is set for the surgery I will have more insight as to when/if I will be able to contribute to the team this season. Come Hell or high water I WILL be playing football again.
Back In The Saddle...
I have decided to attempt my comeback with the historic Racine Raiders of the NAFL. This comeback has been about 9 months in the making and May 15th marks the first practice that I have participated in over a year. Hopefully, I will be able to regain my previous form and stay healthy. This will be my third stint with the Raiders. Stay tuned for more updates and how my "new" knee performs on the field.
