CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY - MDSSC Fall Flag Football - Hunt Valley, MD

FINAL FOUR starts at 9:30 tomorrow morning but before that let me recap. There were two feel good stories, in my opinion, today.. They were The Movement and Able Danger. Both of these teams excelled past the first round in stunning fashion.

The Movement was able to score and tie the game with about 20 seconds left. All they needed was a 1pt conversion and the game was theirs. They got it! Game over, The Movement...well moves on.

CHECK OUT THE FLICKR LINK ON THE RIGHT. I WILL BE ADDING ALL PICTURES TO THAT ACCOUNT.

Shamless Plug: 
AGAME Website - There are 4-5 teams that will be donning new AGame jerseys this winter and spring (THANK YOU).. Check out the website and email me if you want me to draw up a proof for you. You don't want to be the last team in the league wearing t-shirts... do you? 

Able didn't win their game in the final seconds. They were able to seal it a few minutes before the end of the game. Danger used their momentum to capitalize on a mistake or two by the Tarheels to make it to the next round. 

In the other two first round games, Hit Squad was able silence Roger and the Hit Men and The Express was able to take care of Beltway. I really thought that Beltway had a chance but The Express caused one too many turnovers and even though they were 1-7 on their season they were able to keep their composure and play as a team. 

Unfortunately, there is no Cinderella story here. The next round featured The Movement vs All Madden, Pain vs Able Danger, The Victors vs Hit Squad and Untouchables vs The Express. 

Now, I must say, the Hit Squad gave the Victors a run for their money. The game started out with The Victors throwing an INT on one of the first plays then forcing a turnover and scoring on their next drive. Then they picked off Brady Quinn and took it to the house for six. All of the sudden, after another series, the Victors were up 22-0.. I thought this game was over. Low and behold Hit Squad made a push scoring before halftime and two more times in the second half...only to lose 22-19. 

Pain vs Able Danger was a good game too... I had to leave early but I heard that there was a questionable pass interference call that negated a pick-6. I also heard that Able was forced Pain into a 4th and goal from about 20yds out and the Pain QB was able to squeeze one into tight coverage for the game winning score.

The other two games were blow outs. Untouchables easily took care of The Express...29-6 at halftime.. The Express didn't give up and kept throwing up prayers and scored a few times. It was too late though. 

All Madden... well let's say they were on point today. The Movement did not look like the motivated bunch that carried themselves into the playoffs on physical dominance. All Madden scored on every drive that I can remember and stopped The Movement from...well moving. 

For all those teams that didn't make it to tomorrow... Great Season and I hope to see all of you out there on December 5th for the Winter season. 

So here we have it... The top four seeds going at it tomorrow morning for all the glory. Victors vs Untouchables and All Madden vs Pain.. Both games are at 9:30am with the 'Ship at 11am. 

Here are my thoughts: 

The Victors vs Untouchables: This is a tricky one.. The Untouchables have been one team that has been able to get under the Victors skin. They beat the Victors this summer. I don't know what to say here. The Victors' keep on winning but they sure know how to screw around and keep games close. The Untouchables got handled by All Madden two weeks ago and lost to the Victors 24-12 earlier this season. Against my better judgment... (Victors -4)

All Madden vs Pain: I don't see this game as tricky as the Victor's. Pain has managed to well be a pain in everyone's neck this season. Unfortunately, they are running into an All Madden team that is running on all cylinders. It is the playoffs so I don't expect this to be a lopsided affair, but I do see All Madden winning. (All Madden -6)

CHAMPIONSHIP:

All Madden over the Victors... I don't have a spread for this one as both QB's know each other...better yet both teams know each other very well. If this works out this could be set up as one of the best Championships in a long time. 

GOOD LUCK TO ALL FOUR TEAMS TOMORROW!

MARYLAND FLAG FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS START TOMORROW!

Okay.. so in the other flag football playoff poll there are 20 votes for "Any other team", 10 for All Madden, 9 for The Victors, 6 for WTF! (who's out) and 7 for Untouchables. I figured I would put another one together since you guys can't decide on a clear winner. The poll to the right is a one day poll to see who makes it to Sunday. I didn't put the top four in there (All Madden, Pain, Victors, Untouchables) because...well I like underdogs and since we already have one "GUARANTEE" I figured I would keep the lower seeds churning. The first flag football games tomorrow are going to be good games.. The second round brings in the top four from the SEC. Are we going to have some upsets tomorrow? You guys decide... here and on the field!

Leave it all out on the field guys. Let's have some good clean competitive flag football tomorrow and afterwords... Take your ass to Hightopps in Timonium, Maryland!

MDSSC - Maryland Fall Flag Football Playoffs 2009

The regular flag football season is over in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The Bracket is set and the playoffs start on Saturday. We have a full weekend of flag football with the Semi-finals and Championship set for Sunday morning. There are some exciting match ups and a potential for some upsets on Saturday. Before I get to that... let me recap on the Big 8 play-in games from last weekend.

Unfortunately, I don't have the actual final scores from this weekends games. I was able to watch most of them but that is it. 

Link to photos at the bottom of this post.

9:45am Big 8 Games:

Able Danger (-16) vs Menace: Able didn't play their best flag football game of the season here but that didn't stop them from getting a couple of turnovers to make it easier. Able's QB threw three picks that I saw but the defense picked him up. Keep your heads up Menace. It always takes a couple of seasons to get things straightened out. Good season and get back in there for the winter to keep building.

Beltway Bombers (-19) vs Circus Show: This was what I thought it was. Circus just couldn't hang with the high flying Bombers in this flag football game. Not sure if the Bombers covered but it wasn't pretty. Circus, like Menace, just hang in there. Organize yourselves and keep playing. The best teams in this league have played together for years.

Hit Men (-10) vs Warriors: I have no idea what happened in this game but I see Hit Men in the playoff bracket. Hope to see the Warriors in the winter flag football season...

11:00am Big 8 Game:

WTF! (-9) vs The Movement:

I don't know what to say.. was it the jerseys? The Movement surprised everyone but themselves this week shocking the #4 WTF! (283 points this season). This game left WTF! thinking WTF? I don't remember the score but the last I heard was 33-7..but I heard that WTF! scored again. Either way, The Movement move on and WTF! gets ready for next season. Great season WTF!...you scored a lot of points and I know you aren't going anywhere.

As for the other games this weekend. The Tarheels beat The Express by 9... they covered but the game was closer than it seems. The Tarheels scored late to go up by 9 to seal it.

All Madden took care of The Untouchables easily 40-19. Victors won by forfeit over my No Response.. My guys finally lived up to their name. Unfortunately, ending the season 0-8. Not sure if there will ever be a No Response again. Revolution also forfeited this weekend for reasons I am unaware of...

On to the good stuff. Flag football starts early this weekend at 8:30 am in Hunt Valley, MD. I will just get right to it...

ROUND 1

8:30am Games:

#3 Big 8 - Hit Men (6-2) vs #5 SEC Hit Squad (3-5): These two teams are an interesting flag football match up. Hit Squad really does have a squad (Roster size 53) and when they are organized they can move the ball. They started off the season 2-0, quickly jumping to the top of the AP poll like Miami.. The dust settled and they lost five in a row before the forfeit win last week. But they didn't make it easy on those other teams. They lead the Victors 12-0 for a little while and until turnovers cost them hung with All Madden. Unfortunately, I have only seen Hit Men play once against a 6 man WTF!. I don't really have a read on them but can see that they can score a lot of points with a couple of good WR's. If Brady Quinn shows up and protects the ball I believe the Squad can win this game. This is a toss up... (Hit Squad -5)

#8 SEC The Express (1-7) vs #2 Big 8 Beltway Bombers (7-1): The Bombers are one of my sleeper favorites of the playoffs. The QB (#2) for BB is pretty safe with the ball and elusive from most rushers. They have a big target, #12, that goes and gets the ball. The Express have had an Injury plagued season...but #77 looked promising for the Express against the Tarheels and if he is there this weekend, he will be a legitimate threat if the QB can get him the ball. Both of these teams are organized on offense but have questionable defenses. I suspect a high scoring affair. (Beltway -4)

9:45am Games: 

#1 Big 8 Able Danger (7-1) vs SEC #7 Tarheels (3-5): Quote from the AP poll: "Does Able shock the league?  Would it even be a shock anymore?  Some say they are overconfident..." I would say one thing about Able Danger.. They talk some of the best smack but I wouldn't say they are overconfident. Able marched through the Big 8 only losing to WTF in week 2. The Tarheels have a QB that has won 3 championships and a blitzer that is close to 100% that helped get him there. Other than that I don't know what threats are on the Tarheels. Able is a scrappy bunch but better stay home against the Tarheels QB and not turn the ball over when they are on offense. Based on what I have seen this season it is hard to compare the two. Based on the experience of the Tarheel's QB I say: (Tarheels -2)

SEC #6 Revolution (3-5) vs #5 Big 8 The Movement (4-4): This match-up isn't new... The Movement may have a new name but they know Revolution and Mac is ready to play. Who knows who will show up for Revolution this week... but you can count on Nick, Mouth and Rooney to be there. This game comes down to control for The Movement and who is throwing the rock for Revolution. Revolution has 3 QB's on their roster and if one of them shows up to allow Nick to be a receiver it will turn Revolution into a different threat. The Movement have a lot of motivation and momentum in their favor. They just can't go into this game thinking it will carry them. If Clyde plays smart ball and the D gets after it like last week I like the Movement. Revolution has all the athletes in the world but inconsistent attendance by some. Based on this... (The Movement -3)

A shameless plug here. The Winter season registration was tonight. It is set to start on 12/5/09. I want to send a special shout out to the four teams that will don AGame jerseys this next season. We are going to be the best looking league in the state! Thank you guys! If you are one of those teams that haven't ordered these awesome flag football jerseys or uniforms; check out the AGame site or this site and email me with any questions. I can throw some proofs together for you. 

Okay... on to flag football games that I can only assume happen. (I am going strictly off of my spreads)

11:00am 

#1 SEC Victors (8-0) vs... doesn't matter in the first game. The Victors will beat either team. I know DJ's team jumped out on them earlier this season but this will be the Victors first flag football game this season after 9am. This means they get to sleep in and will likely have all of their guys there. We will see the Victors on Sunday. 

#4 SEC Untouchables (5-3) vs Beltway... Untouchables won five flag football games in a row before getting crushed by All Madden. Beltway's confidence will only gain strength beating their first SEC team. I think this is a good match up. Both QB's are mobile and the defenses give up points.. This is a pick'em game.

12:15pm

#3 SEC Pain (6-2) vs Tarheels.. I am not completely certain that the Tarheels will make it to this point but either way Pain has been a grinder-type team this year. They play smart (PLAY CLOCK is 35 Seconds RAY!) and efficient... They also haven't played since 10/17.. This could be a good or bad thing.. If the QB hasn't thrown since then he could be rusty. I like Able or Tarheels to win this one... Reason being: Ryan is a playoff QB (see this last summer) and Able knows Pain from the years in Pro they played each other. 

#2 SEC All Madden (7-1) vs The Movement: All Madden wins against either team. Although, if the Movement come through and beat Revolution they will be on a 'win high' and once you get Mac rollin he is hard to stop. All Madden just has too many weapons though. If they protect the ball they will be in the championship game on Sunday. 

I will leave you with this. I will be there on Saturday and Sunday so I will update the blog Saturday after the first two rounds.

Photos from last week

MDSSC Fall Flag Football - Week 9

Week 9 is upon us and it's the final week of this fall's flag football season. There are some interesting match-ups this week as the Big 8 will be playing their play-in games to see who goes into the playoffs. The SEC is pretty much locked up (at least the top 4) and the teams are falling into their seeds. 

Before I jump into my game-by-game, thank you for voting. There have been 35 votes so far with 7 for All Madden, 5 for the Victors, 6 each for the Untouchables and WTF and 11 for any other team. I didn't have room to put any more teams on the poll, but my thoughts are this: I think that WTF, Beltway, Able Danger, and Hitmen can score on anyone..including the likes of All Madden and the Victors. I will say that All Madden and the Victors have good defenses that have been playing together in All-Pro for years. I am not ready to anoint one of you as the next Fuzion yet, but after watching a season of you guys play; I am starting to believe. There is definitely a lot of good flag football being played this season. 

Okay, enough BS... 

8:30am Games:

No Response (0-7) vs Victors (7-0): You know, if this wasn't Flag Football, the Victors would be sitting their starters and Vince Young would be playing QB to get some reps. But it is Flag Football and after speaking to Mr. Cutler...oh, I mean Bill Mulcahy, I was told that "no mercy would be given and we will run up the score". Hopefully this zero-win team will show up to close out the season and just have fun. The Victors can try to run up the score but we will just pull a "Pain" and hopefully Ray will be watching the play clock...then lets see if you can run up the score! All in good fun. Victors (-18)

GAME OF THE WEEK - Untouchables (5-2) vs All Madden (6-1): This should be a quality game. All Madden took the Victors to OT last week without three of their biggest play-makers. The Untouchables have been well untouchable and have won five in a row! The outcome of this flag football game doesn't really matter. Both teams are in the playoffs. If the Untouchables were able to win by 13 then it would knock All Madden out of the #2 spot. I don't see that happening. All Madden (-6)

Revolution (3-4) vs Hit Squad (2-5): For some reason, I see DJ's team getting a win before they start the climb in the Fall Flag Football Playoffs. When you're a middle-of-the-pack team like Revolution or Hit Squad, it's hard to get motivated for a game that doesn't always mean anything. The difference is that Hit Squad has had at least 16 guys at every game where as Revolution struggles to get 8 sometimes. Hit Squad (-8)

9:45am Games (BIG 8 Play-in Games):
Able Danger (6-1) vs Menace (1-6): Menace's only win is against one of the other one-win teams in the division. They lost 33-13 to Able in week 1. That was a long time ago...unfortunately, Able just keeps winning. Able Danger (-16) 

Beltway Bombers (6-1) vs Circus Show (1-6): I really like how Beltway is playing. They have some guys on their squad that could really shake things up in the SEC. They beat Circus 48-12 last week. I don't know if it will be that dominant of a win as they might not be as focused. However, they are still a favorite....maybe to go deep in the playoffs. Beltway Bombers (-19)

Hitmen (5-2) vs Warriors (1-6): The Warriors just don't seem to have an offense. They have only scored 98 points. They seem to have a decent defense (accept for the 52-6 loss to Able) but just can't score. The Hitmen, however, broke the 200 point margin and have only lost to Able and Beltway. Hitmen (-10) 

11:00am Games: 
Tarheels (2-5) vs The Express (1-6): This one is interesting. The Tarheels have lost some weird games and their two wins are over the Hit Squad and a winless No Response. However, they do have a QB who has won three championships in the All Pro league. The Express are also interesting...they have some decent athletes and a QB that does a decent job of protecting the ball. If Ryan is on his game, the Tarheels win this flag football game easily. Without knowing that, I am going to have to say....Tarheels (-4)

WTF! (5-2 ) vs The Movement (3-4): This is another Big 8 play-in game. WTF! has been throwing up points like it's arena football out there (271 in 7 games). The Movement have the athletic talent to compete with anyone, but they have just been too inconsistent yet again. Yeah, they beat Menace 64-0 last week but WTF! scores points and has a decent defense. Week 4 game between these two was a 41-20 win for WTF! I am thinking a closer but similar outcome. WTF! (-9)  

So that's it for the final week of the MDSSC Fall Flag Football regular season. I want to take a quick moment to thank those of you that are considering me and AGame for your jerseys for the upcoming winter season. There are going to be some really good looking squads out there! Now for the rest of you who think jerseys are not your thing, it's only a matter of time before Mike is forced to say: "Jerseys required... see Will" haha. On that note, registration is this Saturday and next Wednesday (11/4) for the winter season. Both will be held at Hightopps. You should be there on Saturday after your game anyway. Okay, enough plugs. Good luck to everyone on Saturday and here's to Mike for another great season!


Shameless Plug: I am the Account Manager here in Maryland for AGame Team Apparel. If you need jerseys or uniforms for this upcoming Winter season, give me a call or email me. Revolution, All Madden, Fuzion and the Victors all sport AGame uniforms along with a few new teams that will be announced in the future.  

MDSSC - Fall Flag Football: Week 8 Recap

Well another week is in the books and the season is winding down. This next week has some irrelevant SEC games and some important play-in games in the Big 8. My full write up will be on Thursday as always. On to this last weekend.

8:00 AM:

All Madden (6-1) vs The Victors (7-0): This flag football game lived up to my hype. Going into it I knew that All Madden was missing some key players (shout out to #42 & #24) but they didn't back down and took the game to OT. Unfortunately, that is where the magic ended. The Victors stopped All Madden on their try and then sealed it with a 2nd and goal TD for a 40-34 win.

Hit Squad (2-5) vs Untouchables (5-2): The streak is now five in a row for the Untouchables! The score was 27-18. DJ's squad has had a tough last few weeks of flag football, but after watching them play All Madden later in the day; I know that they can compete. However, I have to use this area to give props to the Untouchables. (3 votes in the poll) They have marched through this season after losing to Pain and the Victors early on. They have All Madden this weekend...more on that Thursday.


Menace (1-6) vs The Movement (3-4): The score was 64-8...The Movement. Not much else to say here. I didn't get to see this game but that is a lopsided score. Maybe The Movement will start to live up to their name from this point? I did see Mac there on Saturday. Maybe he brought some much needed leadership. 

9:15 AM

Revolution (3-4) vs No Response (0-7): The final score of this football game was 41-21. The score at half time was 28-7. All I can say is that I am proud of our guys for plugging along. Revolution played well and was able to win the turnover battle. Revolution has the athletes to do well in the flag football playoffs. For them it is just a matter of whether they have enough guys show up. 

Beltway Bombers (6-1) vs Hit Men (5-2):  Thanks for proving me wrong on the shoot out comment guys. The score of this one was 26-13 in favor of the Bombers. This seems like more of a defensive battle that resulted in the winner having the most turnovers... 

10:30 AM 

Hit Squad (2-5) vs All Madden (6-1): All Madden had some injuries to deal with in this game going iron man against the always prepared and well stocked Hit Squad. The final score of this game was 33-13. Brady Quinn resurfaced this weekend playing QB for the Hit Squad. Although he had some stellar interceptions (both TD stopping Endzone interceptions) he threw more. This resulted in a win for All Madden.

Warriors (1-6)  vs WTF! (5-2): The score of this game was 36-14. The spread was 14 in WTF!'s favor. They covered. That is all I know on this flag football game.

Able Danger (6-1) vs Circus Show (1-6): The score of this game was 30-7.. Able Danger keeps rollin and lock up their #1 seed for this weekend.

11:45 AM

Beltway Bombers (6-1) vs Circus Show (1-6): 48-12...Circus just had a tough go of it this year. And it is only going to get tougher. They have a rematch with Beltway on Saturday.

No Response (0-7) vs The Express (1-6): I don't even want to talk about this.. Good luck in the playoffs Express. Good game too. For anyone that cares the final score was 37-28.

Hit Men (5-2) vs Warriors (1-6): The Warriors tightened up on defense to keep this flag football game close. The victory, however, was for the Hit Men...26-20.