2004 Season In Review - Part 1 The Good, The Bad and The Man Show by Julie Wicher, Sirens Half Back Perspectives Editorial Volume 3, Issue 5 June 25, 2004 I went for a run last week at the spot where I played in my first ever Siren’s football game; Del Campo high school. It was 95 degrees at 7 PM at night, and the field was overgrown with weeds, obviously it had not been used since the high school season ended last fall. I closed my eyes and imagined how the field looked way back when we first played there, then realized it was less than two years ago. It seems like I’ve been playing football forever now, and another season has already come and gone. I had meant to write perspectives every couple of weeks this season just like I’d been doing since I joined the Sirens. Before I knew it a month had gone by, then two, etc., and all of a sudden the regular season was over. So, although it’s been a long time since I last wrote, without further adieu I give you the Sirens season in review (part 1). Note: The following statements do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other Siren players, Siren staff, coaches or affiliates (I’ve always wanted a disclaimer on my work). Our first game this season was against the newly formed Redding Rage. It was a very hot day considering it was so early in the season, and it was the only game of the season that we were going to play in the afternoon instead of at night under the lights. The game was considered an exhibition game, meaning it did not affect regular season standings for either team. The Rage was formed by former Siren offensive lineman Renee Barragan. After driving the 2 ½ hours from Redding to Sacramento 2-3 times a week last year to play for the Sirens, Renee decided that there was enough interest in the Redding area to form her own team. The Rage showed a lot of heart and potential and I know that with some time under their belt they will be a very formidable opponent in the seasons to come. Among the many Siren fans in the stands were a group of overly enthusiastic men with a “Will You Marry Me, D-Train” sign in their hands and the word “S-I-R-E-N-S” painted on their chests. Come to find out after the game that among the Guys was comedy central comedian and host of the TV show “The Man Show” Doug Stanhope. Doug and a couple of friends were performing at a club in Sacramento that evening and decided to check out the Siren game before their show. I’m not really sure what the fellas expected heading into the game, we definitely don’t play the same type of football as seen in the lingerie bowl (and frankly I don’t really consider that football at all). I think it’s safe to say that they were both surprised and impressed at our level of play. After the game the entire team was invited to attend their show that evening; comp tickets, reserved seating, etc. To our surprise, much of the act that evening was about our team (all of it being very pro-Sirens) ; one of the openers, Andy, even wore a Sirens hat on stage during his act. After the show we hung out with the fellas for a bit talking about the game and the show, we exchanged autographs, took pictures, etc. We laughed about their enthusiasm at our game, and laughed even harder when one of the guys lifted his shirt and showed off a more permanent reminder of his outing to our game. Like I previously stated, it was a very hot day and these guys all had their shirts off and chests painted. Sunscreen would have been a good idea; his chest was completely sunburnt except for a nice large “R” that was white as a ghost where body paint had been just hours before. What a great advertisement he could have been for zinc… The 2004 IWFL season was officially under way. We knew this season would be a lot tougher than the last. This year we were seen as the team to beat; the reigning IWFL national champions and undefeated for the past 2 seasons. We knew it would be a battle but we were up for the challenge, and thanks to Doug and his crew, if things do not go as we hope this season there is always a fallback career of Sirens on trampolines. Perspectives Archives