Nail biter: The Feast triumphs over Truly Nolan

Quarterback Dalton Guthrie lea his team, The Feast, to victory against Truly Nolan Pest Control in a tight game on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the Center’s 11-to 13-year-old youth flag football league.

Guthrie started the game with a short pass to Nathan Hyman, who had eight flag pulls and one interception in the game. On the second down play, Truly Nolan’s Javier Rivera put incredible rushing pressure on Guthrie causing him to throw an incomplete pass taking the possession to third down. The Feast’s third down play was a complete pass to just short of the first down.

Truly Nolan gained short yardage with a running play to Bryson Higgins. Michael Wood carried the ball on second down for a three-yard gain. Once again, strong defense caused Truly Nolan to lose possession of the ball on downs with a short pass from quarterback Blake Balais to German Rivera.

Four minutes into the first game of the night, The Feast went on offense with a throw to Hyman past the midfield line and a quick flag pull by Balais. With Brandon Annis at center, Guthrie hit Conal Cassidy for the first touchdown of the game. Going for a two-point conversion, Guthrie found Shawn Balvin in the end zone, making the score 8-0.

The first down play by Truly Nolan was an incomplete pass by Balais as Guthrie put pressure on the QB and batted down the pass. Balais threw a bullet to Caleb O’Connor for a 15-yard gain. With the option to run or pass, Team Truly Nolan’s standout Balais threw a short pass to Higgins, giving the team a new set of downs. Balais partnered again with O’Connor for a touchdown reception. The extra point was good, making it 8-7.

The Feast scored on its next possession and made a two-point conversion bringing the score to 16-7. After the two teams traded possessions, The Feast got the ball back and started a march down the field as the clock continued to run. Strong defense by Team Truly Nolan stymied The Feast’s passing game and with an incomplete pass over the head of Annis, the clock stopped. Dropping back into the pocket Guthrie slipped, but managed to find Hyman in the end zone for the third touchdown for The Feast. J. Rivera spoiled the extra point attempt with a sack.

Truly Nolan returned to the offensive front with 37 seconds left on the clock and the score 22-7. Less than 20 seconds glowed on the scoreboard when Balais hit O’Connor at the five-yard line, then followed with a touchdown strike to Wood. The extra point pass was denied by Hyman, leaving the score 22-13 to end the half.

Defense dominated play in the second half, with both teams failing to mount scoring drives and both defenses snagging interceptions. That offensive drought ended when Truly Nolan’s QB Balais fired a strike to Higgins in the end zone for the sixth touch down of the game, making the score 22-19 and time running out on the clock. With one minute left in the game, O’Connor dove for the extra point reception but the pass fell incomplete.

In the last minute of the game, The Feast played smart football and used experienced time management, leaving only 40 seconds on the clock for Team Truly Nolan when it got the ball back. With time for one last play, Balais heaved a bomb that turned into a jump ball between receivers and defenders. Coming down with it was The Feast’s Lonzo, ending the game and securing a hard-fought Feast victory.

Sun Scoreboard

Monday, Feb. 15

8-to-10-year-old league

Miller Electric 20
Heidi Johnston ReMax 37

Eason Builders Group 8
LaPensee Plumbing and Pools 29

AMI Vacation Rentals 12
Tyler’s Ice Cream 29

Tuesday, February 16

11-to-13-year-old league

Sugar Beach Digital 6
Air & Energy 39

Truly Nolan Pest Control 19
The Feast 22

LPAC 34
Progressive Energy 30

Tyler’s Ice Cream 13
Signarama 25

Wednesday, Feb. 17

Adult league

Moss Builders 42
Truly Nolen 24

Mason Martin 47
Tyler’s Ice Cream 8

Tyler’s Ice Cream 20
Beach to Bay Construction 55

Coldwell Banker 28
Beach House Real Estate 34

Friday, Feb. 19

8-to-10-year-old league

Beach Bums 7
Bark and Company 18

14-to-17-year-old league

Team Snyder 12
LPAC 26

Team Cuva 46
Team Mannino 40