Frigid weather accompanies first week of flag football

Temperatures in the 30s and 40s forced players to bundle up and actually prevented a full week of games. The games and team pictures planned for Saturday were postponed because of a daytime high that reminded Island tourists of their hometowns, and were rescheduled for Jan. 30. The season kicked off on Monday with the NFL Combine, where uniforms and schedules were distributed and players could participate in fun drills similar to what professional players go through. Despite the cold, the first week off games for kids and adults went off without a hitch.

Tuesday, Jan. 5
Division 3 (8-9)
Sparks Steel Art Eagles 40 - BeachHouse Cardinals 24

Jack Mello led the Eagles potent offense with four rushing touchdowns, aided with lone touchdowns by Dylan Joseph and Leo Rose. Marlin Ellis was successful in scoring a pair of two point conversions and hauling in an interception, with Tori Walter added an extra point to round out the scoring for the Eagles. The Cardinals had a big day from Tyler Pearson, who rushed for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns. The team also had scores from Masen Blandford and Giampaolo Nicosia.

Division 2 (10-12)
Ross Built Raiders 31 - Island Real Estate Ravens 24

The Raiders managed to claim the victory thanks to a pair of touchdowns by both Jake and Andrew Ross and a solid performance by Jack Shinn. Jake Ross also scored an extra point and picked off a pass on defense for the Raiders. The Ravens were led by Josh Zawistoski behind center, who completed the majority of his passes and scored twice on two point conversions. Ati Dattoli had over 100 combined rushing and receiving yards and finished the game with two touchdowns, as Brandon Blandford managed another score.

Division 1 (13-16)
Tapes Tennis Titans 47 - Galati Yacht Sales Raiders 25

Austin Ferrer finished the game for the Titans with over 100 passing yards, 100 combined rushing and receiving yards and four touchdowns to lead his team to the win. Chandler Hardy, Max Miller and Kyle Parsons also visited the end zone in this high-scoring affair. The Raiders received the points from a pair of touchdowns scored by Aaron Vanhook along with lone touchdowns by Chris Galati and Luke Shackleford. Danny Doyle and Shackleford also each picked off passes on defense in the loss.

Wednesday, Jan. 6
Division 3 (8-9)
Tortilla Bay Dolphins 36 - Sandbar Saints 21

The combination of Ryan and Dylan Doyle accounted for five of the team’s six touchdowns and the majority of yardage gained as well. Trent Shackleford ran for a touchdown and Joey Stewart manned a good game at quarterback, throwing for three touchdowns on the day. Michael Latimer, of the Saints, rushed for over 100 yards and reached the end zone twice to keep his team in the game. Joe Rogers also had a touchdown and managed two convert on an extra point attempt as well to round out the scoring.

Division 2 (10-12)
Mike Norman Realty Falcons 12 - Walter & Associates Titans 0

Seth Walter provided the Falcons with the only offensive scoring on a long pass by Morgan Greig, followed by a two point conversion by Jake Parsons. The Falcons also showed up to play on defense as well, recording two safeties and an interception to shut out the Titans in the season opener.

Division 1 (13-16)
LaPensee Plumbing Ravens 34 - A.M. Oyster Bar Panthers 26

The trio of Tommy Price, Hunter Parrish and Alex Bernhard each reached the end zone for the Ravens as they narrowly defeat the Panthers. Price stepped up on defense by intercepting three passes from Panthers quarterbacks and returning two of them back all the way for defensive touchdowns. The Panthers dual quarterback system of Richard Almodovar and Christian Hightower each completed the majority of their passes and scored touchdowns. Jordan Grabski and Nicholas Peters both had interceptions and receiving touchdowns to round out the Panthers scoring drives.

Friday, Jan. 8
Division 2 (10-12)
Mr. Bones Bengals 40 - Holy Cow Cowboys 26

Logan Reiber set the tone for the Bengals win by combining for almost 200 rushing and receiving yards and scoring four touchdowns. He also managed to pick off two passes on defense and return one of them back for a touchdown. Ben Connors had over 100 receiving yards and an interception on the day, along with another pick by his brother Noah Connors. Jean-Paul Russo ran for a touchdown to round out the Bengals scoring. The Cowboys’ Mikey Ellsworth scored a pair of touchdowns and recorded an interception, with Zach Stewart and Austin Morrow also reaching the end zone.