Torkham Flag Football League
Predators 10, Slayers 2 Todays game was supposed to be a battle between the two first place teams; but instead of having their first loss handed to them by the Demons, the Slayers took a shot from the Predators. The Demons and Slayers battle of first place was supposed to be the highlight of the week Tuesday night. However, Peterka (Team Captain, Demons) decided that his five players that had committed to playing this game wouldn't be enough. With players out on mission or attending business elsewhere in the country, Walson (Team Captain, Slayers) did his best to put his team on the field for the "game of the week". But it wasn't the Demons that came out to play the Slayers, it was the Predators. "I just love to play," Patton (Team Captain, Predators) said, "and if there is a team willing to play, we'll be there." Walson decided early in the day that he would be able to play today with his strained hamstring, but only as quarterback. No doubt ably because he was trying to get the battle for first out of the way. He would be the fifth person on the offence and he would have just enough to play his defense. By the end of the game Walson had five interceptions spread out to each of the players of the other team, Patton managed two of them-- one in which he caught in the end zone taking it the length of the field for the score. Hull picked off a sixth thrown by Dawson on a quarterback option. With the Predators starting quarterback attending previous engagements elsewhere in the country for the next few weeks, Banicki stepped to the plate. "I have to be honest with you, I wasn't sure how he was going to do." Hull commented after the game. The Predators were quickly up 4-0. .Though four points were scored on interceptions, Banicki lead a commanding game throwing 11 completions in 20 attempts. McIntosh came out for his TFL debut and he looked good. Intercepting and returning the ball for a touchdown was just the highlight of his defensive plays. McIntosh shut his man down, as did the rest of the Predator defense. While we're on the subject of sharp defense, the leagues hidden treasure, Willard gained six more tackles. He is trailing only behind Patton, who guards all the leagues best receivers. The Predators defense made for a short game summary for the Slayers. On a short pass to Webb on the Slayers own ten, Webb danced and juked his way 50 yards scoring half of the Slayers points. The only other Slayer to score a touchdown was Copeland. You can probably count on Nale playing in the rest of the Slayers games. With the offense that we saw Tuesday night, it's doubted that they'll play again without him. "I owe Banicki an apology for doubting him," Hull continued, "He did an awesome job and without Brisky, there is no one I'd rather have in the position." To finish the game off, the Slayers blitzed Banicki on first down. In a mad scramble to grab Banicki's flags, the rookie quarterback managed to elude the Slayers completely and come out for a 55 yard run for the end zone, ending the game.In a replacement for the game of the week, the Predators/Slayers game time just extended over an hour (1:08) and made the league take a more serious look at the Predators. The Predators are expected to play again Thursday night verse the only team they have left to beat, the Demons. After Thursday, the Predators will only have one game left in the season, the Hit Squad. Slayers 11, Predators 9 - Thursday, 22-Nov In the first "over time" game, the Slayers manage to pull of the win. Going into the Predators second game of the day, endurance and injuries proved to be a "needs improvement" mark on their report card. After two hours of rest, the Predators came out to play for just over two and a half hours straight. Though they managed to get an early lead (6-3), injuries and fatigue wore into them. Brisky (21/31), the quarterback, had to come out early has he jammed his wrist, moving three different quarterbacks in for a try (Moore, Patton, Hull). None seemed to be a successful substitute for the first round draft pick, as until Brisky came out, the Predators had not needed to punt and they only managed to score three more times. The Slayers again used the team very widely hitting and using everyone on the team. The quarterback options and wide varitey of plays gave them the edge as they came back and tied at nine. After three more turn-overs between the two teams, the Slayers gained another touchdown, after a debatable "pass interference play" that allowed them the ball at the Predators five yard line and first down. This touch down gave them the lead. In a do-or-die situation, Hull was put in for quarterback. A quick screen pass to Patton gained them thirteen yards, only to be taken back ten yards on a call for "flag guarding" and a loss of the down. The next attempts were unsuccesful, as they punted off to the Slayers. In turn the Slayers drove the ball to the end zone for the game winning touchdown, resulting in their second win of the season and the Predators second loss. Other Notes: Moore (Predators) also left the game with a strained ankle. What the Team Captains Had To Say: PATTON: In reference to the pentalties: "To be honest with you, it shouldn't have mattered about the penalties. We should have had this game. We were up, we should have walked away with this game." WALSON: "In the begining we struggled because of a lack of focus and dropped balls. But no one gave up and we regained our composure. Toward the end of the game our defense capitalized on their offence. I never had any doubt that my guys would drive back and win this game." When asked if he thought his team would be 2-0 right now he said he didn't have any doubt. Slayers 10, Hit Squad 6 - Wednesday, 21-Nov The first game kicked off with few complications and with an exciting atmosphere. With only a couple referees and drastically different rules from the NFL and college, the game had a couple bumps to smooth out. Holding a conference tonight, with all of the teams, seemed to smooth the waters as we move into tomorrow's three games, a Thanksgiving Opening Day. In the first half of tonights game the Slayers took off with the game scoring seven points to the Hit Squad's one. Walson, with two interceptions and two touchdowns, went down with a stained hamstring at about seven points. With one of the Slayers most valuable players out of the picture, the second half was the Hit Squads turn to shine. The score became 5-8 after Swenny returned a 60 yard interception in the end zone, for a touchdown (keep in mind the field's dimensions are only 60x30). Durkin too, connected with a 50 yard pass landing him in the end zone. Though the Hit Squad stayed in the game and fought to the end, their 6 touchdowns couldn't keep up with Nales throwing of 10 touchdowns. Verner completed 4 touchdowns, including one to McFatridge, and also ran one in on a complicated blitz situation. Chris also threw for a touchdown. The females all proved themselves today as well. The medic, Sampson, proved herself after 220 pound Walson landed on her while she pulled off his flag. Wicks also landed on the rough terrain and after she realized her flags weren't pulled proceeded to get up and try for the touchdown, though the rules state once a player is on the ground, the ball is dead. The Slayers used their team wisely as just about everyone had their chance to shine. Webb moved the team down the field with all his receiving catches while Hester caught a handful of touchdowns. Even Copeland participated in the excitement with a touchdown. Over all, the teams both played extremely well for their first time out. Jennings handled his team professionally and did not let his players quit when times were tough, which will pay off if he keeps that style of coaching up. Walson proved himself with a win and will look for another as he takes on the Predators tomorrow. |
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