“THE END OF AN ERA” HAS BEGUN; LONG TIME RMFL STARS TO RIDE OFF INTO THE SUNSET… THE FACE OF THE RMFL TO CHANGE IN ‘07

Story by: Jared Neumeier

RMFL – It happens in all sports… at all levels.

The great ones finally call it a career.

In the early 1990’s, many observers felt that the NBA would never be the same with the retirements of the Lakers’ Magic Johnson and the Celtics’ Larry Bird. Two of the games top 10 players of all-time who had battled it out for 7 of the 10 championships over that stretch. Observers felt the league would never be the same..

They were right.

For the RMFL, that might be Madison’s Troy Dougherty (31) and Ogden’s, Dave Stireman (42). Although not exactly rivals for as long as Magic and Bird were; in terms of the lifespan of a semi-pro football career, it amounts to the same. Indisputably, the league’s two best quarterbacks… ever; are expected to call it a career. Because of it, the RMFL will not be the same… and new stars shall emerge.

But this story is not just about Stireman and Dougherty. The off-season between 2006 and 2007 shall become known as the “Year of the Retirement” as many of the league’s top players in their position in the history of the RMFL shall also be calling it quits.

Consider the Predators star receiver and 3-time RMFL Offensive MVP, Brock Gunter… and his counter-part with the Idaho Falls Mustangs, Sean Powell. Powell was indisputably the RMFL’s top receiver from 1997 thru 2000, with Gunter taking over from 2001 thru 2004 and maintaining his excellence into 2005 and 2006. In 2006, Gunter was the only player to have played 10 seasons in the RMFL

He will go into the record books with almost every career receiving record and certainly will be the “leader in the clubhouse” with the most games played record.

Similar to Dougherty and Stireman, a rivalry very familiar to today’s RMFL fans, Gunter and Powell had a similar friendly rivalry in the late 90’s. This sports writer was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to throw to both of them in the all-star games of 1998 and 2000, but can also claim that he was intercepted by one, while throwing to the other… twice in the same game.

Gunter and Powell were two-way warriors most of their careers and they talents and competitiveness will be desperately missed by their teams.

In the case of the aforementioned quarterbacks earlier in this article, they too, leave a gigantic void in their respective teams, however, they both walk away from the game they love with a lot less similarities than do Gunter and Powell, who both started playing at 19 years of age and will leave with more talent than desire remaining.

For most of the many seasons the two stars played, they were at the top of the RMFL, however, in their final year, they finished almost diametrically opposite as they started. In 1997, Gunter’s first year, he was a non-factor with the Pocatello-Blackfoot Dragons, catching getting few looks and was not even a name commonly known around the league. Powell, however, may have been the Idaho Falls Mustangs best player, capturing the league’s Offensive MVP title that year.

In 2006, Gunter finished the season and his career strong, including two 100+ yard efforts in the playoffs against the Mustangs (110 yards, 2 td’s) and Rhino-Raiders (132 yards, 2 td’s). Powell sustained a season-ending spinal fracture in the Mustangs first game versus the Roughriders and spent the rest of his final season on the sideline, no more of a factor than Gunter was his first season.

Powell says he could still play, “it’s healed enough that I could play, its just that with all of the things my kids are doing, and playing 10 years, I just want to focus on them now.” Asked if he intended on continuing to help coach the Mustangs, Powell said that wasn’t in the cards either, “if I took the time to do that, I might as well just play! No, I don’t think I’ll be involved at all next year.”

In the 3 seasons that both Stireman and Dougherty were in the RMFL (2004, 2005, 2006), Dougherty won passing titles and MVP’s, Stireman won championships. A comparison similar to Joe Montana and Dan Marino in the NFL 1980’s. Marino was considered the best “pure passer” in the NFL, maybe ever. Montana just won. Montana had the whole package… and a better team around him.

Stireman’s “retirement”, however, is not nearly as certain as is Troy Dougherty’s.

Stireman leaves the door open.

“I’m probably like anybody that has had a lot of success at a position or a sport and they are not as good as they used to be”, Stireman explains. “You may still be better than anyone else for the position, but you can’t do everything you used to do and its disappointing. You don’t want to embarrass yourself”.

Although Stireman has thrown more interceptions than he would have liked over the past few seasons and he does not run like he used to, he remains a far cry from ever embarrassing himself, in fact having one of his best semi-pro seasons ever, setting an RMFL record with 30 touchdown passes in 2006… not to mention leading the Rhino-Raiders to another top offensive effort and, oh by the way, their 7^th consecutive league championship.

An athlete wants to quit while they are on top, but its not altogether clear where “top” is for this football star of more than 20 seasons.

Perhaps additionally intriguing will be a few other potential Rhino-Raider retirements.

Star wide receiver, Trevor Bell, announced at the RMFL all-star game that he was “definitely” going to call it quits after 2006. Citing just “too many other things” he would like to go on and do. Ogden offensive linemen, Phil Sotomayor and Todd Wheelwright have also made it clear that 2006 was their last season, both sustaining injuries in the RMFL championship game, Sotomayor’s was a very significant knee injury. Both Sotomayor and Wheelwright have long been regarded as the best of the best. Big, powerful, and intelligent offensive linemen on a team blessed with great offensive line depth. Both, irreplaceable.

Of the three other key Rhino’s Stireman, however, seems only truly certain of Sotomayor’s who’s age (42) and significant knee injury, the first of his career may be enough to keep his decision final.

As for Wheelwright and Bell, Stireman is no more certain of their future in playing with the team than his own. Officially, he states he has “every intention of not playing”. However, he goes on to say, “it’s going to take a quarterback the team is confident in”, before he sees himself putting the pads in long term storage.

Even with the potential retirements of Stireman, Dougherty, Bell, Sotomayer, Wheelwright, and Gunter and Powell; new stars are coming forward.

Looking forward to 2007, the Cache Valley Bears hope that quarterback, Ryan Harris can make a statement in Utah. If Stireman does step down, expect a new star to emerge at qb from the big red machine and another championship run. In Idaho, Madison has high hopes for Troy Dougherty’s back up for the past two season, Todd Barber. Pocatello may still be able to count on former RMFL MVP, Jeff Belnap for one more season. Speaking of quarterbacks, depending upon the success of the Muddogs in the AAA division, should Jordan Kjar be considered the front-runner for the 2007 MVP award?

Star running backs will continue to be all over the map with Justin Nixon of the Blaze, Josh Christensen of the Vipers, Jeff Dottson of the Scorpions and how about a guy from Idaho by the name of Travis Boden? Will these 4 be the best from their respective states… or will someone else emerge? Sterling Wynn of the Gladiators received a lot of respect from competitor teams in Montana, perhaps he could have a breakout season. Justin Oswald will be back with the Rhino-Raiders in 2007, could he have a breakout season. A lot of running back stars sit on the crest of greatness, which will take the big leap in ’07?

As far as RMFL wide receivers go, no Gunter, no Powell, no Bell, no problem. Madison has a new emerging star in Zac Johnson making a name for himself… and lets not forget from just south of Johnson, Brandon Reed of the Mustangs and Kelly Nebeker of the Predators who must now take up more of the slack with Gunter going civilian. Dave Garza is planning on one more year for the newly named Missoula Phoenix, but a guy in Helena, named Eddie Sullivan may steal the Montana Thunder. Expect the RMFL’s reigning fastest man, Anthony Stewart to have more of an impact in 2007 even along side of long time top league receiver, Norvel Young; however, the Muddogs’ Chris Hooper expects to make a statement in the AAA as well and Rhino head coach, Dave Stireman, believes that Damon Greenberry, may surprise many and rehab himself back into the mix.

Yes, long time RMFL stars may, in fact, finally take to the sidelines… or the stands and let newer and younger blood take up the cause. But there can be no doubt that the action in 2007 will be every bit as intense, the games every bit as competitive, and the stars will shine every bit as bright as those of days gone by.

With the off-season ½ over, its time to look to the future with excitement and hope… but never forget the guys that helped make this league great.

So long Sean, Brock, Troy, Phil, and maybe Dave, Trevor and Todd… and certainly maybe even Damon… It was an absolute honor to have seen you play!.