Dave Christensen 2009 RMFL All Star Game MVP

With the 2009 AAA RMFL Championship safely in hand, the All Star festivities had the Wasatch REVolution teamed with other South Division All-Stars to cruise to a 55-41 victory in a wild and wacky game in Rexburg, Idaho. Wasatch Revolution players included Bryant Jones, Charlie Peterson, Golden Whetman, Harold Ragin, Darin Smith, Aaron McCubbins, Tracy Ita, Jared Harward, Ken Byrd and David Christensen. The REV players all performed well and “took the cake” with the weekend festivities.

The Predator Harold Ragin once again dominated in the RMFL Fastest Man competition. At age 41, Harold is a dominant athlete and blew all other competitors out of the water. He coasted to victories in the preliminaries and looked over his shoulder while pulling up in the finals. Harold also dominated the longest throw competition. Pulling back while in a javelin throwing position, Harold easily beat competitor Shane Jurasek of the BitterRoot Blaze. Congratulations to Harold for dominating the RMFL fastest man competition and the RMFL longest throw awards.

Mr. Big Time – Bryant Jones – was dominant in the strongest man competition. After trying not to laugh at the competition, Bryant got under the rack and threw up 225 lbs 18 times to win the competition. Afterwards Bryant remarked, “I didn’t want to throw up 30+ because it just didn’t seem like it was worth it.” Defensive tackles across the RMFL realize just how strong and powerful he is as he had an outstanding blocking performance in the All Star game as well.

REV QB Charlie Peterson had a fun day on the football field. As the South’s starting QB, Peterson threw a touchdown pass to Shock WR Matt Thornton and also completed a few passes to REV receiver Dave Christensen. He seemed to enjoy the day and was all smiles as admired Golden Whetman lining up at defensive end in the All Star game. “Can you believe that?” Peterson remarked after Golden came off the edge for a sack. For Peterson, a chance to compete against other RMFL players is always a good time.

Head Coach Eric Drage enjoyed a family vacation and put his REV players to work. The South offense was typical for Eric’s style of offense – spread the formation and “air it out.” Coach Drage remarked, “Today was all about fun. We had a good time and we won the game.” Coach Drage is fired up about next year and sees no reason why the REV can’t repeat for the championship in 2010.

Offensive lineman Ken Byrd was sumo wrestling defensive opponents all night. As another powerful lineman for the REV’s #1 ranked offense, Ken played an integral role in keeping REV QB Charlie Peterson protected all year long. With his competitive demeanor, “Birdman” was pancaking opponents all night. Look for Ken to maintain his form in the off-season and come back ready to ball in the spring. Pairing with McCubbins and Bryant Jones, those 3 REV o-lineman played almost the entire evening. (LT JP Salisbury was voted in but could not come to the game due to scheduling conflicts.)

REV LB Darin Smith was all smiles all weekend. During the halftime awards, Darin was outvoted by 1 vote for defensive MVP. The voting process in the RMFL is absolutely embarrassing. Only 10 of the 14 AAA GM’s attended the event and then tiebreakers were withheld because some GM’s voted for “marginal” players who weren’t really in the running in the first place. Darin’s comments, “Just to be in the running for league defensive MVP was an honor. It really doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t worry about things I can’t control. I can control winning championships with the REV though.” – after the comment, the smile on his face was from ear to ear. “The Doctor” was all over the field in the All Star game and made multiple bone crunching tackles. Darin is the epitome of what the Wasatch Revolution is all about and regardless of the “snub” from the RMFL – he’s a champion!

Left tackle Aaron McCubbins looked like he was still in his prime as he flew around on both sides of the ball at the All Star game. A former 2-way player in the Arena Football League, “Cubs” bull rushed from the defensive tackle position and pancaked dudes from the offensive side. McCubbins performed admirably all season for the Revolution and really anchored the offensive line. After closing in on a sack, Cubs waffled over to the sidelines and said, “Did you see how far I threw that guy from BitterRoot?” – McCubbins plans on being with the REV in 2010 and will continue to be among the best in the RMFL hands down.

Anchoring the defensive secondary all night long, REV DB Jared Harward had an outstanding performance at the All Star. As he’d done all year long with the REV, Jared had 2 interceptions in the All Star game and was all over the field making tackles and barking out defensive settings for his teammates. The consummate team player, Jared relishes in the fact that no matter what happens off the field, respect is always earned on the field. Mr. Harward has everyone’s respect. Period.

“THEE” Tracy Ita lined up at defensive end and was chasing down RB’s for the North and knocking down and harassing the 2 North QB’s all night long. In the heat of the game, Tracy plays with a serious chip on his shoulder and goes on attack mode from the outset. Always a jokester, Tracy keeps things light on and off the field. On the drive up he noted, “Too bad the rest of the REV don’t get to join the humpfest today.” Tracy has been pounding opponents into submission all season and the All Star game was no exception.

Super kicker – if you want to call him a “kicker” – Golden Whetman was all over the field on Saturday night. G Money was blasting the kickoffs through the uprights and his powerful leg was on display early on. He easily could have won the “strongest leg” competition and make it a clean sweep for the REV, but Golden was performing GM duties at the AAA league meetings. After being asked how the league meetings were, Golden rolled his eyes, sighed, paused and then remarked – “It’s a joke.” Despite his complicated GM duties, Golden performed as a defensive terror on the football field. Lining up in the 2nd half as a defensive end, Golden came off the edge and forced a fumble one play. On another he had a QB sack. Golden wants to relinquish his kicking duties next season and line up as a full time defensive player for the REV. Golden was also “snub” by the RMFL for GM of the year. How a 1st year GM can concoct the best team, the championship team, in the RMFL the VERY FIRST TIME could not be voted “GM of the Year” is absurd. Always classy, Golden remarked, “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care. Who cares? We’re the champs and that’s all that matters. If the rest of the RMFL wants to play patty cake, go right ahead. We’re the champs.” No wonder why he’s the GM of the REV.

David Christensen was co-offensive MVP of the 2009 RMFL All-Star game. He made multiple catches and had over 100 yards receiving on the day. With his consistent zig zag burst, it’s no wonder why Dave flew onto the scenes in the RMFL. He hauled in multiple passes and fielded punts and kickoffs. Dave is a spark plug and highly flammable with the ball in his hands. As soon as he catches it, he’s catching fire while leaving defensive players grasping for air with his jukes and bursts. Without question, Dave woke the league up with his skills. Combining him with the other stellar REV WR’s leaves the REV’s offense in a strong position for another run in 2010. Congratulations to Dave Christensen for winning the MVP award!

With the off-season here for the REVolution, look for REV players to team up in the community for football camps, bbq’s, golf outings and other fun events. The RMFL will begin the season next year in March of 2010.

Congratulations to ALL members of the Wasatch Revolution!! Being an “all star” means jack crap next to being a “CHAMPION”!!