NFL Flag Football under way
PHOTO/RANIA LARDAS
Morgan Hackworth eludes Anna Maria Galati
on Wednesday as the Texans defeat the Chargers.
Even though the college football and NFL seasons are several months away, Anna Maria’s football fans now have something to hold them over until the fall. NFL Flag Football, now in its fourth season, has seen an increase in participants and popularity each year since its inception. The 2009 season features 15 teams with players ranging from 5 to 16 years old and spread out across the four age divisions. There is also one team from town that competes in the oldest age group, which is comprised of players who registered for G.T. Bray’s failed attempt to organize an NFL Flag league and were invited to play in the Community Center’s league. Games are Monday through Friday at 6 and 7 p.m. and on Saturday mornings at 9 and 10. All games will take place at the Holmes Beach field located behind the skate park and next to Holmes Beach City Hall. The season will wrap up in the last week of May with playoff, championship and All-Star games, while taking a week off for spring break April 6-12. Game schedules, recaps and standings can be found at www.islandcommunitycenter.com.
Galati Yacht Sales Texans 34 - Ross Built Chargers 13
The Texans offense was led by the Galati siblings, Chris and Anna Maria, who accounted for three of the team’s five touchdowns. Chris had two long touchdown runs and showed impressive speed and agility to avoid defenders and reach the end zone. Anna Maria made an excellent catch after getting wide open and managed to beat the players chasing her and crossed the line to add six points for the Texans. Also contributing with touchdowns for the winning team were Zach McGuire and Logan Reiber. The Chargers two scores were split between Jake Ross and Morgan Hackworth to lead the offense despite suffering the loss.
Island Real Estate Colts 38 - Strategic Ministries’ Cowboys 12
Wyatt Hoffman provided the Colts with 20 points by running for a touchdown and receiving a pair of passes from quarterback Kyle Parsons. Chris Perez had two touchdown receptions to help seal the deal for the Colts. Also chipping in was Olivia Roemer, who caught a touchdown pass in the winning effort. All 12 points for the Cowboys came courtesy of Aaron King’s two touchdowns, with other solid offensive production with big plays by Zach Guerin, Alex Bernhard and Nick Papazian.
Ross Built Chargers 20 - Mike Norman Packers 14
The Chargers remained victorious in a triple-overtime thriller to gain their first win in a hard fought game. Both team’s defenses came up big in this low scoring game, however, the Packers were unable to score in their attempt to tie and win the game in the final overtime. The Chargers received touchdowns from Jake Ross, Morgan Hackworth and Alex Virgilio. Virgilio also caught a pass in an extra point attempt, along with Chris Pennewill, which made the difference in the game. The Packers were led by Jack Shinn, who scored on both offense and defense, receiving a pass and later returning an interception for a touchdown. The Packers defense held up tough against the Chargers as they also recorded a safety for an extra two points to round out the scoring.
Spark Steel Art Falcons 14 - RLS Industries Patriots 6
Defense was the name of the game in another triple-overtime game on back-to-back nights. Marlin Ellis and Joey Stewart had touchdowns for the Falcons, with Stewart also recording a two-point conversion. Andrew Proctor scored the lone touchdown for the Patriots, but the all around efforts of Leo Rose, Brandon Mills and the rest of the team kept them in the game. In the end the Falcons were able to hold on for the victory in a well played game by both teams.
Mr. Bones Vikings 24 - Sand Dollar Colts 6
The 24 points put up by the Vikings were split between Richard Almodovar and Josh Zawistoski, who each had two touchdowns on the night. The duo looked very strong on both sides of the ball and will be the core of the Vikings team along with Jake Parsons and Ben and Noah Connors. Nick Mello provided the Colts with their lone score in the game. The Colts defense could not hold the Vikings though, as the game became difficult to play because it got dark quick due to the length of the previous game.
Beach Bistro Cardinals 24 - Island Real Estate Colts 19
The Cardinals came from behind in the last two minutes of the game to win thanks to a long touchdown run by Chandler Hardy. This score was one of three end zone trips for Hardy, but clearly the third touchdown was the most clutch. Chris Callahan also made a tough catch in-between defenders with a perfect throw by Hardy, then proceeded to run nearly half the length of the field for the first score of the game. Wyatt Hoffman, Chris Perez and Zach Facheris reached the end zone for the Colts. Kyle Parsons played an excellent game, as he threw for all three scores and also recorded an interception on defense