49ers break new ground

The Sun sports game of the week was an interdivisional game between the AFC Tyler's Ice Cream Vikings and the NFC Florida Discount Signs 49ers. Going into this contest, the Vikings had two wins and one loss while the mighty 49ers had three wins and had not been scored on all season. The 49ers broke new ground with three consecutive shutout games. This is a new Community Center adult flag football record.

The Florida Discount Signs 49ers team wasted no time and scored on their first possession of the game. They marched down the field and on second and goal from the six yard line; quarterback Matt Kretzmann found his favorite target, Hampton Harrison, on an end zone crossing route for the TD. The extra-point was good on a pass to Sean Sanders, 7-0 49ers.

The score remained the same throughout the rest of the first half until with two minutes left the 49ers defense was finally scored upon after almost seven halves of football. The Vikings were the first to do so when quarterback Larry Berkery threw a 24-yard TD pass to Brent Laudicina. The extra point was no good, 7-6 49ers at the half.

The 49ers started with the ball in the second half and struck fast, scoring on their first two possessions. Kretzmann threw two touchdown passes to Harrison in just their first three offensive plays. On second down, he threw a 32-yard TD and on the following first down possession threw a 45-yard TD to Harrison. Extra points by Amy Talucci and Sean Sanders made the score 21-6.

The Tyler's Ice Cream Vikings scored with 12 minutes left on a long third down Berkery bomb to Brent Laudicina in the very back of the end zone. The two-point conversion was no good, 21-12 49ers.

With six minutes to go, Nate "swivel hips" Talucci took a handoff sweeping left and ran twisting and turning by two would-be tacklers for a 13-yard 49ers TD. The extra-point was no good, 27-12 49ers.

The tenacious Vikings would not stop fighting, and with two minutes left in the game, Berkery found Brent Laudicina for the third time in the end zone for a seven yard TD. The two-point conversion was no good, 27-18 49ers. With less than two minutes, the Vikings defense got the ball back for their offense and forced the 49ers to a three and out. Three players later, and only fifteen seconds left in the game, the combination Berkery to Laudicina scored for the fourth time. The two-point conversion was no good, final score 27-24.

The Florida Discount Signs 49ers remain undefeated and on top of the NFC division. It was an amazing game to watch and could have easily been a different outcome if the Vikings would have been able to convert some of their extra-points. No doubt, the 49ers defense is really tough and was led by Matt Kretzmann with six flag pulls and one interception, rushing pressure by the speedster Rich Bell, and strong coverage by Hampton Harrison, Sean Sanders and Amy Talucci.

To view all the leagues' individual stats and team standings, go to the Community Center's new sports page at hometeamsonline.com/amicc.

Division III (8-9-year-olds) Results:

Beach Bums Steelers  6
Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys 12

Gettel Toyota Texans 12
Southern Greens Jets 14

Waterfront Restaurant Raiders 0
Beach Bistro Vikings 12

Division II (10-12-year-olds) Results:

Eat Here Bears 13
Sand Dollar Steelers 27

LPAC Cardinals 32
Mr. Bones Colts 34

Air & Energy Chargers 8
Cedars Tennis Resort Seahawks 28

Sandbar Falcons 8
Ross Built Construction Broncos 34

Division I (13-16 year-olds) Results:

First American Bank Ravens 13
Mar Vista Restaurant Raiders 18

Mar Vista Restaurant Raiders 26
First American Bank Ravens 33

Jessie's Island Store Steelers 28
Galati Yacht Sales Texans 42

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football League Results:

Tyler's Ice Cream Vikings 24
Florida Discount Signs 49ers 27

Edgewater Realty Broncos 15
Coastal Orthopedic Raiders 19

Waterfront Restaurant Bills 20
Duffy's Tavern Ravens 45

Fin's Bar Bears 13
Sato Real Estate Browns 48

Agnelli Pool & Spa Packers 13
Slim's Place Dolphins 27

Galati Yacht Sales Chargers 22
Beach to Bay Construction Texans 28

Banana Cabana Bengals 25
The Feast Falcons 46

Adult Co-Ed Volleyball League Results:

Tyler's Ice Cream 25
Slim's Place 16
(First game of best 2 out of 3)

Tyler's Ice Cream 26
Slim's Place 28
(Second game of best 2 out of 3)

Tyler's Ice Cream 25
Slim's Place 15
(Third game of best 2 out of 3)

Best Buy 25
Tyler's Ice Cream 20
(First game of best 2 out of 3)

Best Buy 25
Tyler's Ice Cream 22
(Second game of best 2 out of 3)

 

Why should you race in paradise?

So maybe you're on vacation for a few days, weeks or months. Perhaps you feel, "I'm on vacation. I just want to relax and enjoy the scenery stress-free." Or maybe you live here year-round and feel the same way. Let me show you the other side. You can do all that and participate in the many races and activities to enjoy fitness in Southwest Florida. My focus is running.

In our area alone, there are at least four running/walking clubs that plan races. They are Suncoast Striders, the Bradenton Runners Club, Lakewood Ranch Running Club, and Manasota Track Club. The latter includes races all the way down to Venice. Suncoast Striders does an incredible job of organizing and executing both running and walking races together. Walkers had been pretty much ignored in the community until now.

Besides the exercise, the door prizes can be astounding. This past weekend, I had the privilege of running in the Bradenton Christian School's Panther Prowl. It had been organized by its beloved coach, Don Vautrinot, who died suddenly two weeks ago. His wife wanted the race to go on, and she and her two children took over his job with incredible grace.

All of a sudden, a race that was in danger of getting cancelled swelled to a record breaking 400+ registrants by race morning. The race was dedicated to the fallen coach, and door prizes were valued at $400.

My friend won one from a local optometrist and since I go there, I know the value of what was in the beautifully wrapped package was correct. A free eye exam, some fabulous Nike sunglasses and much more. Some races never have food or prizes.

Runners often joke about doing races for the shirts participants receive. I have so many shirts I usually give them away. Race shirts are usually printed only on the front and back. This shirt had a design on the sleeve that was obviously done by one of Don's daughters. It was a beautifully drawn runner with wings and a halo with the words, "Team Daddy" on his gown.

He wore Nike running shoes with a caption, "I'm going to beat you guys!" Above the other wing, "Daddy V." By one shoe, "Go Daddy, Go!" By the other shoe, "Love, Katie & Lauren" and "I love U Daddy!"

The Angel Daddy was flying over a start line filled with tiny stick figures that were just beginning the race. I can't look at it without getting choked up. I won't be giving that shirt away.

I went to this race thinking it would be easy to win my age group. I felt lucky to come in third. Although, now being the oldest in my age group, it is tough to win anything. I'm counting the days till I'm 60 and can move up to the next age group where I'll be the youngest. I worked the results table and saw that I was the third oldest woman in the entire race.

Speaking of working the results table, even if you don't race, it's important to volunteer. There are so many jobs and behind-the-scenes tasks to make the race happen, publicize it and then make sure the race goes smoothly, safely and results are tabulated accurately. It is a real skill to organize and deliver a race to a community. Suncoast President Steve Litschaur does a great job of putting it all together, coordinating the volunteers seemingly effortlessly.

And this is only a peek into the running community. Two super-fit women who beat me in my age group wore triathlon shirts. Triathlons include running, swimming and biking. Personally, running is all I can or want to handle. I've seen and experienced my share of accidents in the past year. I salute anyone who can push their way through the crush of participants trying to get a bike, or swim a mile in our Gulf, regardless of temperature.

Whatever floats your boat. Competitions of any kind in paradise abound here will take you along scenic beaches, trails, parks and roads. Just Google to find them. And before you know it, you'll be back on the hammock, drink in hand. And do it all over again next week so the calories from that drink won't matter. Too much. Wink, wink. And you'll get to support some incredible causes!

You can follow Island resident Ellen Jaffe Jones on her Facebook page and keep up with her just released book:,"Eat Vegan on $4 a Day," or her website: www.vegcoach.com. She is also a nationally certified personal trainer and running coach. For training in a gym or private hire, contact Ellen at ejones@vegcoach.com or 941-704-1025.