World Footy News

As we move toward the start of the 2009 season, USFootyNews.com will be previewing the Top 10 teams in USFooty as voted in the preseason USFootyNews.com and WorldFootyNews.com poll.

At No. 6 is the Orange County Bombers. OC finished the 2008 season ranked number 8 in the Top 10 Poll with a regular season record of 5-2 and a record at the Nationals Tourney of 0-3. Overall Head Coach, John Fragomeni, was pleased with the season. "Season 2008 was very successful for the Southern Californian Football League (SCAFL) and the LA representative side the 'Bombers'. We grew our players stock in the local competition significantly and I was happy with our 18 a side performances leading up to Nationals. On our way we played some good football and we defeated some very good Division 1 sides, Golden Gate by 116 points and San Diego by 33 points in San Diego. But Nationals proved there is still plenty of room for improvement."

The "lightning" format of the National tournament with two 20 minute quarters was new for both the Head Coach and many of the players. On top of that, OC's Pool was probably the toughest with eventual champs, Vancouver, 2007 champs Denver and consistent top 4 performer, New York. "We traveled with 2 teams to Nationals for the first time in the clubs history, and and for many it was their first exposure to this short game tournament format a new experience for myself, and I know what to expect next time round. Vancouver ended up being an unknown anomaly and a surprise to all but it did seem that Pool A was unusually loaded and that was unfortunate. Seedings and the pool groupings is definitely something that needs to be looked at.

"With the Nationals format it's vital to get a good start and we got the worst possible start and dropped our first game which was fatal especially in Pool A. But I'm pretty pragmatic about our performance at Nationals, and we are aware of our problems and will work on rectifying our deficiencies and a team and club.

"I recently watched an interview with Geelong coach Bomber Thompson, he was asked the question, "after a stellar season, with such expectation for back to back flags, how did the loss of 2008 Grand Final effected himself, the players and the club?" He replied, "the Cats had a great season and he was proud of what they had achieved as a group and they had to accept the loss and just had to move on, re-build and not look back at what could have been."

"That is exactly how I feel about my player group and where we are at as club. We will bounce back stronger from the 2008 Nationals experience."

The Orange County Bombers have some talented players, including 2008 USFootyNews.com MVP, Kelly Nelson and fellow Revo, Andy Lindsey. According to Fragomeni, "I'm looking for big improvement from our American players, we have a very good group of young athletes, and over the last year we have focused on developing these players. Kelly Nelson, Andy Lindsey, Adam Hale, Colter Allison and Corey Irwin were all regulars in our best starting 18, we have added Rob Luto, David Dollar and Ronnie Luto to this group and they all have already improved since joining the Sharks metro club. Grass roots development is important to the longevity of the SCAFL and my philosophy as coach to grow the game here in LA."

OC's 2009 schedule is still in development, but here is the current line up.

Gold Gate vs OrangeCty @ Daly City CA 11.07.09

OrangeCty vs San Diego @ Anaheim, CA 25.07.09

OrangeCty vs Denver @ Anaheim, CA 08.08.0

OrangeCty vs Arizona @ Anaheim, CA 29.08.09

San Diego vs OrangeCty @ La Jolla, CA 12.09.09

The four-team has Southern California Australian Football League began its season a few weeks ago. Round 4 occurs on March 29. Currently, it is shaping up as a contest between the Beachside Sharks and the OC Jets.