Tyler's Ice Cream churns it up

After struggling to get through the regular season games, thanks to the unpredictable summer and fall weather that hit the Island in the past few months, the adult flag football playoffs started last week with excitement on the field Thursday night.

In the first game of the night, the two teams that ended the regular season in the middle of the pack, Tyler's Ice Cream and Coldwell Banker, showed the parity of the league in the 40 minutes of football action.

The single elimination format of the playoffs set the stage for do or die action with the two consistent and confident quarterbacks Jason Sato for Tyler's Ice Cream and Charles Buky leading Coldwell Banker. Each team, looking toward the championship game to be played at 8:30 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 27, played each snap of the football like it was the last.

With the sun shining bright and three officials on the field, the first whistle blew to start the night's activities. Karri Stephens set the stage for the action packed game with his amazing youthful speed taking the football the length of the field after a quick pitch from Buky for six quick points for Team Coldwell Banker.

Taking over on offense, Tyler's Ice Cream marched the ball down the field in six plays with Josh Sato in the end zone to tie the ball game. Brother Nick Sato captured the extra point to put his team ahead early in the quarterfinal game, 6-7.

Players step up their game during the playoffs, and emotions run on high as team vie for the win. After arguing with the referee on a non-call for tackling, an unsportsmanlike call on Josh Sato, put Tyler's Ice Cream in a long yardage situation on third down.

Coldwell Banker played tough defense, regaining possession of the ball. Team Captain Jason Sato turned up his defensive game with critical flag pulls to stop the forward progress of Buky's team.

On third down, Buky was forced to throw the football under the pressure of N. Sato creating the interception opportunity for Jason Sato. With the interception, Tyler's Ice Cream went back on offense with four minutes on the clock for the first half of playoff action.

Under pressure by Stephens, QB Jason Sato hit N. Sato deep in the end zone with a jumping catch behind the last defender for the score. Making the extra point reception, Tyler's Ice Cream increased its lead by eight points.

Marching down the field with successful offensive plays, Coldwell Baker closed the point gap with an across the body throw under pressure by Buky finding Matt Morgan at the back of the end zone.

With the score 12-14, Coldwell Banker executed a two point conversion, tying the ballgame 14-14 with the pass to Stephens.

The second half of play started with the game tied 14-14. Tyler's Ice Cream started on offense with 20 minutes left to play in regulation time. Once again, Stephens lit up the field with a quick interception for Coldwell Banker near the end zone.

After the Coldwell Banker touchdown, the team had three attempts to get into the end zone for the point after. With penalties abound, Morgan found himself in the end zone with the ball, taking the score to 21-14.

The on the field action continued with Tyler's Ice Cream moving the ball to tie the game. Under pressure, Jason Sato threw the long ball to Josh Sato making the catch in the air while keeping his focus as the ball bobbled in his hands. Gaining full possession before getting crossing in to the end zone, Josh Sato put six points on the scoreboard. Diving for the catch, N. Sato made the tying point conversion play.

The last few minutes of the game exemplified the spirit of playoff games at the Island's community center. Coldwell Banker quickly took over the lead again with a touchdown and point after.

The never say die mentality of Tyler's Ice Cream took the football the length of the field, but could not put points on the scoreboard. While some would think the game was over, the veteran players of the Tyler's Ice Cream crew knew they were still in the hunt until the last second ticked off the clock.

Stopped but not defeated, Tyler's Ice Cream held Coldwell defensively, giving the team another chance on offense. That chance is all they needed.

Moving the ball 40 yards, the Sato connection put six points on the board, closing the scoring gap. With less than a minute on the clock and a score of 28-27 in Coldwell Banker's favor, Tyler's Ice Cream went big with a two-point conversion attempt. Finding Josh Sato open, Jason Sato threw the ball to his brother to take the lead with the score 28-29.

Coldwell Banker went back on offense hoping for a comeback. Under defensive pressure Buky, ending the game with 245 passing yards, threw the ball right into the hands of N. Sato ending the first playoff game of the night with Team Tyler's Ice Cream advancing to the semi-finals. Tyler's Ice Cream will face the regular season's first seed team, Progressive Cabinetry, at 6 p.m. Thursday night.

Sun Scoreboard

Monday, Oct. 17

Youth Soccer: 6-to 7-Year-Old League

Bin There Dumped That 1
Air & Energy 2

Signarama 3
Blalock Walters 0

Youth Soccer: 11-to 14-Year-Old League

Progressive Cabinetry 2
Tyler's Ice Cream 4

Tuesday, Oct. 18

Youth Soccer: 8-to 10-Year-Old League

Bins Be Clean 3
Gulf Bay Realty 4

Cloud Pest Control 2
Mason Martin Builders 1

Thursday, Oct. 20

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football - Quarter Final Playoffs

#5 Tyler's Ice Cream 29
#4 Coldwell Banker 28

#2 Mason Martin 18
#7 Blake Medical Center 9

#3 Beach House Real Estate 8
#6 Moss Builders 26

#8 Anna Maria CrossFit 15
#1 Progressive Cabinetry 25

Thursday, Oct. 27

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football

Semi-Final Playoffs

#1 Progressive Cabinetry
#5 Tyler's Ice Cream 6:00 p.m.

#2 Mason Martin
#6 Moss Builders 7:00 p.m.

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football

Championship game 8:30 p.m.