SALEM - There are a lot of ways to measure the success of the 16-0 New England Patriots: most points scored in a regular season (589), most touchdown passes by a quarterback (Tom Brady, 50) and most touchdown receptions by a receiver (Randy Moss, 23).
Here's another way: most gunpowder blasted in a single season.
The End Zone Militia, the volunteer re-enactors in Colonial garb who fire their muskets after every Patriots touchdown, may have used more gunpowder celebrating this undefeated season than the original Patriots did at Bunker Hill.
"This year has been the most," said Henry Rutkowski, 48, of Salem, a die-hard Pats' fan and longtime re-enactor who has been part of the militia for five years. "We're all complaining about how much powder we've been going through."
Although the National Football League does not keep munitions records, the perpetual cloud of smoke hanging over Gillette Stadium is proof enough of the milestones reached this season.
"Last year, I went through 5 pounds," Rutkowski said. "It's probably almost double this year."
This season has been so explosive that the End Zone Militia - a volunteer group and not an official team organization - has almost run out of gunpowder a few times. On several occasions, they have had to share ammunition to make it through the second half.
The worst game - or is that best? - was the 52-7 drubbing of the Washington Redskins on Oct. 28. The football field looked like the Esplanade after the Fourth of July fireworks. The militia looked more spent than the defenders of the Alamo.
"We were really getting worried in that one," Rutkowski said. "It was crazy. We were going through it like water."
The militia, which packs about 24 cartridges to a box, fires big group blasts after touchdowns and in sequence after extra points, to the accompaniment of the "1812 Overture." How many times a gun is fired hinges on the skill of the marksman.
"We could fire four or five times at each touchdown," Rutkowski said. "It all depends on how fast we reload."
Although gunpowder costs $15 a pound, Rutkowski is not complaining. An electrician by trade, he loves the team and feels honored to be part of the gridiron pageantry. And the "seats" aren't bad, either.
Here's another way: most gunpowder blasted in a single season.
The End Zone Militia, the volunteer re-enactors in Colonial garb who fire their muskets after every Patriots touchdown, may have used more gunpowder celebrating this undefeated season than the original Patriots did at Bunker Hill.
"This year has been the most," said Henry Rutkowski, 48, of Salem, a die-hard Pats' fan and longtime re-enactor who has been part of the militia for five years. "We're all complaining about how much powder we've been going through."
Although the National Football League does not keep munitions records, the perpetual cloud of smoke hanging over Gillette Stadium is proof enough of the milestones reached this season.
"Last year, I went through 5 pounds," Rutkowski said. "It's probably almost double this year."
This season has been so explosive that the End Zone Militia - a volunteer group and not an official team organization - has almost run out of gunpowder a few times. On several occasions, they have had to share ammunition to make it through the second half.
The worst game - or is that best? - was the 52-7 drubbing of the Washington Redskins on Oct. 28. The football field looked like the Esplanade after the Fourth of July fireworks. The militia looked more spent than the defenders of the Alamo.
"We were really getting worried in that one," Rutkowski said. "It was crazy. We were going through it like water."
The militia, which packs about 24 cartridges to a box, fires big group blasts after touchdowns and in sequence after extra points, to the accompaniment of the "1812 Overture." How many times a gun is fired hinges on the skill of the marksman.
"We could fire four or five times at each touchdown," Rutkowski said. "It all depends on how fast we reload."
Although gunpowder costs $15 a pound, Rutkowski is not complaining. An electrician by trade, he loves the team and feels honored to be part of the gridiron pageantry. And the "seats" aren't bad, either.
"I can't complain about the view," he said.
Sometimes, he even gets to meet star players.
"No one really told (Moss) about us," he said. "We fired after his first touchdown, and he kind of jumped. Then he stopped by after the game and said, 'That's so cool.'"
The End Zone Militia has used so much gunpowder this season that Rutkowski has almost worn out a set of tires driving to the Kittery Trading Post in Maine to resupply. State regulations limit the amount that can be purchased at one time, so he has had to drive to Maine over and over and over.
He was up there last weekend - a bye week for the team - restocking. He's taking no chances as the record-setting Patriots head into tomorrow's playoff game against Jacksonville. In fact, he bought 2 pounds of gunpowder - about 14 touchdowns' worth.
"I'm thinking about the next game," he said.
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