by By Chari Bayanker Contributing writer , The Post-Standard

"People have a big misconception of semi-pro football ," said Shock two-way lineman Scott Irons. "They think it's full of players that never had a shot. It's not about bar-room brawlers, this is our NFL."

Irons boasts several big-time memories from his football career. He played college football at Arkansas and vividly remembers running out of the tunnel on the road against Florida.

"It was crazy," he said. "If you weren't a Gator you were only Gator bait."

After Arkansas, Irons had two workouts, one with the New England Patriots and another with the Arizona Cardinals. He failed to catch on with those teams, but a repeat invite with the Patriots was derailed by a broken hand.

Despite not making the pinnacle of his sport, Irons' love of the game is eternal.

"It's the camaraderie, the discipline, the quick decision making and problem solving," he said. "There is nothing in life that compares to football ."

Sure a minor-league team like the Shock is bound to have players who have only high school football experience, but there are also players like Irons and running back Leroy Collins, players who had the opportunity at the highest level.

Collins attended the University of Louisville and in 1998 he rushed for 1,134 yards and had 19 touchdowns. After college , he had brief stints with the Washington Redskins and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Collins is trying to assess the possibility of playing in the newly created United Football League, but says that he will stop playing soon to spend more time with his two-year-old son.

"It's difficult," Collins says about ending his playing career. "You always have unfinished business in football ."

Like Irons, he loves football so much he's willing to play for free.

"You gotta dig deep," Collins said. "You figure out how much love for the game you have. It's always a part of you."

The minor-league football team in Syracuse has gone by various names through the years. There has been the Syracuse Storm, Vipers, Soldiers (indoor), the CNY Express, and now the Shock.

Before the Shock came the Express, which was the most successful of all the teams, winning a national championship in 2004 after defeating the Detroit Seminoles. The Shock now plays in a league known as the Northeast Football Alliance, which replaced the New York Amateur Football League.

Dave Johnson has been a part of the transition from the Express to the Shock. He has been the head coach of the Syracuse teams since 2004 after being a successful coach at Seton Catholic High School in the Binghamton area. Johnson also coached the Broome County Jets, another semi-pro team playing in the Empire Football League.

"Guys like Scott Irons made the one-hour drive down to me," Johnson said. When the Syracuse team needed a coach, the veteran players made the call to Johnson. "They made that one-hour drive for me and so I knew I would make the drive for them."

Johnson said that coaching an amateur team can be very rewarding and also frustrating.

"Some guys have work obligations, conflicts, and responsibilities," Johnson said. When Saturday nights come around, Johnson said the game is the only priority. "They put their bodies on the line," he said. "They give their heart, soul, and everything else on Saturday nights."

When the schedule comes out, every player and coach circles one game -- their annual showdown with the Monroe County Sting. The Sting, out of the Rochester area, is Syracuse's biggest rival and it usually produces the season's most competitive game.

"Ohio State and Michigan, Florida State and Florida, that's how we feel about the Sting," said Irons. "It's just like fighting with siblings, your mother always tells you that you fight because your so alike."

Last year, the Sting won both regular-season meetings, but fell to the Shock in the league semifinals, 32-31 at Sunnycrest Park, where the Shock plays home games.

"It was a proud moment for us," Johnson said. This season, the rivalry is renewed on July 11 when Syracuse travels to the Sting.

Irons attended Henninger and has been active member in the community ever since. He currently works at the Fayette Street Boys & Girls Club. He also sees the link between the identity of the Shock and the city of Syracuse.

"We represent the blue-collar workers of the Syracuse area," he said. "Sometimes people lose track of local players after high school," Johnson said.

"Our guys work hard and live in the community. Our team provides entertainment on a Saturday night by putting out a quality team with some hometown boys."

Syracuse Shock schedule

All home games at Sunnycrest Park

Today: vs. Cortland Bulldogs, 6:30 p.m.

July 11: at Monroe County Sting, 7:30 p.m.

July 18: at Glove Cities Colonials, 6:30 p.m.

July 25: vs. Buffalo Gladiators, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 1: vs. Lyndonville Tigers, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 8: at Albany Metro Mallers, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 15: at Watertown Revolution, 7:30

Aug. 22: at Cortland Bulldogs, 7:30 p.m.

Aug. 29: vs. Monroe County Sting, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 19: at Troy, 6:30 p.m.

If you go

Who: Syracuse Shock vs. Cortland Bulldogs

When: 6:30 p.m. tonight

What: Minor-league football

Where: Sunnycrest Park, Syracuse

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