Strong defense for Southern Greens Jets

The opening contest for the Sun Sports game of the week was an eight to nine year old, Division III, defensive game between the Southern Greens Jets and the Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys.

Both stingy defenses came ready to play and shut down their opponent's offense. The Southern Greens Jets won the toss and started with the ball. On their very first play, Zachary Quinn intercepted a pass for the Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys defense. The Cowboys offense could not score from the 20 yard line though and turned the ball over. On first down, Daniel Fritz, of the Jets, zigzaged all over the field and ran the ball 40 yards to the five yard line.

Three plays later, quarterback Luke Marvin threw a touchdown pass to Charlie Halfacre. The extra point pass was no good, Jets up 6-0. Just before the half, the Jets were on the move again, when Jackie Schlossberg caught a nice sideline pass and went out of bounce to stop the clock with 11 seconds. The Cowboys defense held strong and stopped the Jets on the three-yard line as time expired in the first half.

The second half started much the same as the first, but with the Cowboys on offense. This time, Dalton Guffrie intercepted a pass on third down for the Jets defense. The Cowboys defense in the second half did not let the Jets score and was led by a second half interception by Daniel Sentman and great flag pulls by Blake Balais, Brandon Early and Zachary Quinn.

With one minute and 45 seconds to play, the Cowboys two-minute offense kicked it into high gear and tried to tie the game. They marched down the field and with 40 seconds left, Daniel Sentman ran the ball down to the 12-yard line. The Jets strong flag pulling defense led by Daniel Fritz and Dalton Guffrie with three pulls and Devin Calderon, Charlie Halfacre and Jackie Schlossberg with one pull each shut the Cowboys down, and two plays later time expired, giving the Jets defense the shutout and their team its first win 6-0.

Division III (8-9-year-olds)

Beach Bums Steelers - 0
Beach Bistro Vikings – 20
Passing yards: Nathan Hyman – 100, Tuna McCracken – 17;
Receiving yards: Morgan Horesh – 42, Jack Groves – 15;
Rushing yards: Morgan Horesh – 42, Tuna McCracken – 10;
Touchdowns: Morgan Horesh – 2, Sean Rodriguez – 1;
Flag pulls: Tuna McCracken – 3, Ashton Pennell – 3, Adam Oulddaba – 3;
Interceptions: Nathan Hyman – 4.

Gettel Toyota Texans - 6
Waterfront Restaurant Raiders - 14
Passing yards: Jack Barnes – 30;
Receiving yards: Eli Heskin – 30;
Rushing yards: Eli Heskin – 25, Javier Rivera – 25, Ava Zink – 25;
Touchdowns: Jackson Hayes – 1, Eli Heskin – 1, Ava Zink – 1;
Two-point conversions: Callen Achor – 1;
Flag pulls: Callen Achor – 3, Ava Zink – 3;
Interceptions: Eli Heskin – 1, Jack Barnes – 1.

Pink & Navy Boutique Cowboys - 0
Southern Greens Jets - 6
Passing yards: Luke Marvin – 50, Brandon Early – 37;
Receiving yards: Daniel Fritz – 35, Daniel Sentman – 20;
Rushing Yards: Daniel Fritz – 41, Zachary Quinn – 20;
Touchdowns: Charlie Halfacre – 1;
Flag pulls: Daniel Fritz and Dalton Guffrie – 3;
Interceptions: Zachary Quinn – 1, Daniel Sentman – 1, Dalton Guffrie - 1.

Division II (10-12 year-olds)

Ross Built Broncos - 22
LPAC Cardinals - 42
Passing yards: Jered Richardson – 86, Andrew Ross –108;
Receiving yards: Jered Richardson – 89, Jake Ross – 67;
Rushing yards: Jake Ross – 122, Tyler Pearson – 51;
Touchdowns: Jered Richardson – 3, Jake Ross – 3, Zachary Fernandes – 1;
Two-point conversions: Hannah McCracken – 1, Tyler Pearson – 1, Jake Ross – 1
Extra points: Tyler Pearson – 3, Zach Fernandes – 1;
Flag pulls: Javan Vasquez – 4, Jake Ross – 4, Jered Richardson – 4;
Interceptions: Alex Rodriguez - 1.

Eat Here Bears - 39
Air & Energy Chargers - 31
Passing yards: Bobby Estes – 172, Jacob Quinn – 77;
Receiving yards: Michael Latimer – 80, Jean-Paul Russo – 70;
Rushing yards: Jean-Paul Russo – 90, Michael Latimer – 19;
Touchdowns: Jean-Paul Russo – 4, Michael Latimer – 2, Nick Bowling – 1, Jayse Berzowski – 1, Dylan Doyle – 1, Abby Achor – 1;
Extra points: Tyler Yavalar – 2, Jacob Quinn – 1, John Smith – 1
Flag pulls: Jayse Berzowski – 5, Jean-Paul Russo – 5;
Interceptions: Jean-Paul Russo – 2, Ryan Doyle – 1, Tyler Yavalar – 1, Nick Bowling – 1, Michael Latimer – 1, John Smith - 1.

Cedars Tennis Resort Seahawks - 18
Sandbar Falcons - 19
Passing yards: Joe Rogers – 125, Leo Rose – 113;
Receiving ¥ards: Corey Jacquez – 116, Brendan Murphy – 63
Rushing yards: Trevor Meek – 46, Mathew Manger – 28;
Touchdowns: Brendan Murphy – 3, Corey Jacquez – 2, Mathew Manger – 1;
Extra points: Corey Jacquez – 1;
Flag pulls: Corey Jacquez – 6, Leo Rose – 5;
Interceptions: Leo Rose – 1, Brendan Murphy - 1.

Sand Dollar Steelers - 14
Mr. Bones Colts - 19
Passing yards: Rory Houston – 50, Joey Stewart – 65;
Receiving yards: Malachi Goode – 22, Ben Dalto – 45;
Rushing yards: Ben Connors – 92, Joey Stewart – 28;
Touchdowns: Ben Connors – 3, Trent Boring – 2;
Extra point conversions: Ben Dalto – 1, Andrew Early – 1, Malachi Goode – 1;
Flag pulls: Malachi Goode – 9, Joey Stewart – 5, Trent Boring – 5;
Interceptions: Ben Dalto – 1, Trent Boring – 1, Zachariah Goode – 1
Sacks: Joey Stewart – 1.

Division I (13-16 year-olds)

Integrity Sound Redskins - 28
Mar Vista Raiders - 0
Passing yards: Justin Carder – 158, Danny Doyal – 32;
Receiving yards: Joseph Andruzzi – 106, Jake Rodgers – 17;
Rushing yards: Nico Calleja – 20, Joseph Andruzzi – 10;
Touchdowns: Joseph Andruzzi – 2, Joey Carder – 1;
Extra points: Justin Carder – 1, Andrew Zink – 1
Flag pulls: Joseph Cucci – 3, Danny Doyal – 2, Jake Rodgers – 2;
Interceptions: Joseph Andruzzi – 3, Joey Carder – 1, Justin Carder – 1.

Galati Yacht Sales Texans – 12
First American Bank Ravens – 23
Passing yards: Jack Shinn – 83, Keenan Hill – 71;
Receiving yards: Keenan Hill – 66, Pierce Hogan – 57;
Rushing yards: Chris Galati – 110, Pierce Hogan – 70;
Touchdowns: Pierce Hogan – 2, Chris Johnson – 1, Chris Galati – 1, Keenan Hill – 1;
Extra points: Pierce Hogan – 2, Chris Johnson – 1;
Flag pulls: Jack Shinn – 4, Keenan Hill – 2;
Interceptions: Austin Morrow - 1.

Walter & Associate Bears – 14
Jessie's Island Store Steelers – 24
Passing yards: Michael Duffman – 98, Seth Walter – 62;
Receiving yards: Brad Duffman – 48, Max Miller – 40;
Rushing yards: Brad Duffman – 49, Derek Polch – 14;
Touchdowns: Brad Duffman – 2, Michael Duffman – 2, Jacob Talucci – 1, Seth Walter – 1;
Flag pulls: Jack Walter – 5, Moriah Goode – 3, Nehemiah Goode – 3;
Interceptions: Michael Duffman – 2.

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football League

Sato Real Estate Browns - 20
Beach to Bay Construction Texans – 40
Passing yards: Don Purvis – 285, Jason Sato – 234;
Receiving yards: Jason Mickan – 132, Ian Fetters – 102;
Rushing yards: Ian Fetters – 5;
Touchdowns: Jason Mickan – 4, Ian Fetters – 2, Shawn Kaleta – 1, Kyle Stopa – 1;
Extra points: Shawn Kaleta – 4, Ian Fetters – 1, Scott Rudacille – 1;
Flag pulls: Mike Brusso – 5, Kyle Stopa – 3;
Interceptions: Jason Mickan – 1.

The Feast Falcons – 40
Tyler's Ice Cream Vikings – 41
Passing yards: Larry Berkery – 297, Tyler Bekkerus – 242;
Receiving yards: Brandon Hartwig – 213, Brent Laudicina – 135;
Rushing yards: Dustin Swain – 39, Larry Berkery 10;
Touchdowns: Brandon Hartwig – 3, Brent Laudicina – 3, Tyler Krauss – 1, Brad Laudicina – 1, Billy Malfese – 1, Dina DeJesus – 1, Dustin Swain – 1, Tyler Bekkerus –1;
Two point conversions: Brad Laudicina – 1;
Extra points: Brad Laudicina – 2, Brandon Hartwig – 2, Dustin Swain – 2, Billy Malfese – 1, Taryn Morgan – 1;
Interceptions: Rob Alderson – 1;
Sacks: Krys Kolbe – 1, Tyler Brown – 1.

Edgewater Realty Broncos – 25
Duffy's Tavern Ravens – 32
Passing yards: Matt Piermarini – 281, Brent Moss – 172;
Receiving yards: Adam Mott – 99, Jonathan Moss – 71;
Rushing yards: Jonathan Moss – 36, Jeff Conley – 3
Touchdowns: Adam Mott – 2, Danny Murphy – 2, Ryan Hogan – 1, Brent Moss – 1, Jonathan Moss – 1
Extra point: Adam Mott – 2, Jonathan Moss – 1;
Interceptions: Danny Murphy – 2, Ryan Moss – 1.

Waterfront Restaurant Bills – 0
Florida Discount Signs 49ers – 18
Passing yards: Matt Kretzmann – 135, Scott Dell – 78;
Receiving yards: Tim Tedesco – 81, Kelsea Bachman – 40;
Rushing yards: Tim Tedesco – 12;
Touchdowns: Nate Talucci – 2, Aris Thompson – 1;
Flag pulls: Jessie Brisson – 3, Aris Thompson – 3;
Interceptions: Dave Winfield – 1.

Adult Co-Ed Volleyball League

Tyler's Ice Cream – 21
Best Buy – 25 (First game of best 2 out of 3)

Tyler's Ice Cream – 16
Best Buy – 25 (Second game of best 2 out of 3)

Tyler's Ice Cream – 22
Slim's Place – 25 (First game of best 2 out of 3)

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

 

Kickstarting your New Year's resolutions

The owner of VitaminSeas Health Foods on the Island came to a health food store expo for the Southeast at the Gaylord Palms Convention Center in Kissimmee recently and saw that I was the featured author. In fact, I was the only author invited by my publisher and the largest distributor of health food books in the U.S. The expo was open only to health food stores across the Southeast. Since my book is the distributor's #1 seller, they used it as a free giveaway to attract health food store owners to their booth.

When the Island health food storeowner saw me at the expo, she asked if I would do book signing at her store. I did that, and it was so successful she asked me back. But not just for book signings. More on that later.

The week after New Year's, I agreed to be a volunteer coach for a national website, "Veganbodybuilding.com." Anytime someone asks me, as they frequently do, "Where do you get your protein?" after I flex my biceps and say to their look of shock, "Do I look like I have a protein deficiency?" or "Do you know anyone with a protein deficiency in the US? You probably know plenty with heart disease and diabetes, yes?" I refer them to this website.

There you'll find incredible pictures of bodybuilders who look like they have been on steroids, but are only eating a diet of plants. The largest animals, elephants, rhinoceroses and hippopotami are vegans. So it makes sense that human muscles do well on a plant-based diet. There are issues about whether the enlarged muscles of any body builder are good for the heart. The point is, more and more studies show a plant-based diet in moderation can be excellent for your health.

On the veganbodybuilding.com site, you'll find pictures of yours truly. Not as a bodybuilder, which I am not. Though working out with a sensible weight training routine two to three times a week is recommended for healthy adults and is something I do, I am featured as one of a few runner athletes and the only running coach and personal trainer. It was really an honor.

The owner of veganbodybuilding.com has a book by the same name and is published, surprise surprise, by my publisher too. I've met the author, Robert Cheeke, often on the lecture circuit. Usually, the larger food and vegetarian festivals have three to five main speakers. We've been the top-billed "fresh meat" as someone actually told me at the Boston Vegetarian Festival. I don't think he was vegetarian.

Robert decided on a whim to offer a "New Year, New You" promotion on his website. He told 100 entrants that those making the most progress by posting on his forum would be eligible for some gifts. He asked for and got about 10 volunteer coaches like me. I was the only running coach. He whittled the list down to 50 and assigned them to the 10. I have been coaching my group responding to e-mails since New Year's, and it's been very fun.

Last night, unbeknownst to me, Robert posted a quote from one of my free clients on my Facebook page. "From an email I received, 'Ellen is amazing – so inspirational, funny and incredibly supportive. So happy to be working with her – she's helped me tremendously already.'"

I had been worried about doing the volunteer coaching or any cyber coaching. I worry about the liability of coaching someone you never see. Yet many do it. I've done it before, and it takes a lot of time away from marketing my own book. In the middle of my fretting, two days into the coaching, a huge New York Times article came out talking about Robert and his website, where I'm featured. Needless to say, both of our books are enjoying the ride.

In the meantime, I've agreed to hang out at VitaminSeas Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 2 p.m. to provide free coaching like I'm doing online, answering your concerns about your New Year's resolutions. No pressure to buy anything. No question is too silly. I just love coaching, free or not. Even if you don't want to talk food, as a personal trainer and assistant volunteer coach for the Manatee High girls cross country team, I can get you going on a couch to 5K program or just talk about your exercise and nutrition goals.

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.