Moss Builders closes out the week with a win

Another week of youth and adult sports at The Center had two teams grabbing their first win of the season.

To start the week off on a positive note, Raymond Gardner inspired his team to their first victory. With each team going into the game looking for their first win of the season, team Ray’s Ramblings fought for the three-point win against Shady Lady in the 8- to 10-year-old flag football league last Tuesday night.

The next night in adult co-ed soccer action, the Jiffy Lube squad outscored The Gitt Team by four goals, putting up their first win in the spring season, with the final score 6-2.

The week’s ending game was on the adult flag football gridiron. Moss Builders took the solid and early lead in the game, not giving the Sandbar team a chance. The first half ended with the mercy rule instituted. With a 28-point lead, team Moss Builders would start the last minutes of play unable to rush the passer until there was less than a 21-point deficit for Sandbar.

In the second half of action, Sandbar’s Karri Stephens made two touchdown catches. Stephens, a veteran of the league, is one of the best, but unassuming, receivers in the league.

Teammate Ben Sato lit up the field with three scoring receptions and eight total catches in the night. Sato’s solid training routine shows each week on the field, regardless of the sport.

Matteo Ferris, growing into his own in the adult league, threw for four touchdowns and scored a point after a touchdown. Ferris is also credited for sacking Moss Builders’ QB, Ryan Moss.

The ever-present maturing Island youth is making an impact in the community center’s adult leagues. Sandbar’s Jackson Hayes and Tyler Brewer both learned their flag football skills at The Center starting on the small fields in kindergarten.

Years later, Hayes made the statistics book with one TD catch. Brewer caught an extra point throw for two nabs in the game.

Along with Brewer and Hayes, Moss Builders’ Cole Carter played Island youth sports when he moved to Anna Maria Island. Now in the adult league, he is making his own impacts with three catches and one interception in Thursday night’s game.

Three of Moss’ throws were caught by the reliable hands of Jordan Demers. Demers made it into the end zone four times for three TDs and one extra point.

Demers’ ability to read the plays as a defender put him in the right position for two interceptions, rattling the young Sandbar quarterback.

Greg Moss contributed both on offense and defense with three catches and two sacks. Top player and draft pick Dina DeJesus was held to one catch and an extra point.

Contributing to the Moss Builders win, Zach Routh grabbed three catches, including two for 12 points in the team’s second win of the season to end another fun week of sports action on the Island.