STRIKERS - TAFFL BOWL VII CHAMPIONS
Upend Dazz 36-12

In Week 1, the Strikers led by Captain Kenneth Usher looked like a team that would struggle tremendously in the Triangle Area Flag Football League’s seventh season.  The team played its their first game with only five men and Captain Usher expressed concerns that  he may not have enough players to finish the season.  By Week 6, inconsistent play from the quarterback position, three losses by six or fewer points, and absent but budding team chemistry would see the Strikers sitting at 1-4 in the standings and virtually on the verge of missing the TAFFL Season VII playoffs.

In Week 2, the Strikers would rebound by adding some much-needed depth to their roster, which included the speedy and versatile Donald Van Lew.  During the team’s rough times, the Strikers would ride the back of Van Lew, who almost seemingly scored any time he touched the ball, however as one man in a team game, Van Lew was having trouble finding the support he needed to put notches in the win column.

Then in Week 5 with two moves that shocked the TAFFL world, the Strikers would acquire Kirby Williams and Marcus Johnson, two well-traveled veterans who season after season, always seem to find themselves on Championship teams.  Johnson and Williams at the time were under contract with the Raleigh Thunder and these signings came just two weeks removed after the Strikers had acquired another Thunder player in Tarenz Jaime.  The formula would ultimately equal success, as the Strikers would win their last two games of the season to secure a bid in the playoffs and then win three straight playoff games to set themselves up for a TAFFL Bowl VII showdown with Dazz.

Dazz’s story was much simpler.

Led by Captain David Wood, Dazz were no strangers to the Triangle Area Flag Football League game.  Although playing in their first season of TAFFL, Dazz had already proven their 6-man worth with a second place finish in TAFFL’s Pre-Season Invitational I tournament and a second day exit in TAFFL’s Pre-Season Invitational II tournament held in February.  The team would finish the regular season with an impressive 6-1 win/loss record, with its only blemish coming in Week 3 against a very determined Da Zoo team and the team would defeat the reigning Champion Assault in its first try, a feat no other team had accomplished in League history.  Like any good team, Dazz’s success would rely on good quarterback play, athletic players, and tremendous flag football knowledge.  To surmise…good teams win ball games.

However, none of those attributes were enough on TAFFL Bowl Sunday when the two teams would do battle for the coveted TAFFL Season VII Championship.  The first time the two Conference South teams played, Dazz would sneak away with a 19-13 overtime victory.  On this day, the closest the game would be was 7-0 (Strikers) midway through the first half.

The teams played solid defense during the first 10 minutes of the first half and then like he has done on so many occasions, Johnson would get the Strikers’ ball rolling with his legs, and not his arm, when he would rush into the endzone at the 12:24 mark to give the Strikers the early lead.  Looking to bounce back on their subsequent possession, Dazz would hand the Strikers a gift, when on an attempted double QB play, the ball would find its way out the enzone for a safety.  Then just before the half, the Strikers would execute some trickery of their own when after a Johnson to Williams lateral, Williams would throw back across to Johnson who would score his second touchdown of the day.  This would give the Strikers a 16-0 lead going into halftime.

After the break, the Strikers would increase their lead to 23 unanswered points, when Johnson returning the favor, would connect with Williams on a long bomb only three minutes into the second half.  Struggling to find offense and defensively not being able to stop the Strikers, Dazz found themselves on their heels in the game, but would respond quickly to the Striker’s last score when Little would hit Conrad Groves to erase the donut in Dazz’s scoring column.  

Eliminating any ray of hope for a comeback for Dazz the Strikers would respond with a Kendall Stevens rushing touchdown to put the score at 30-6 and undoubtedly out of reach.  With less than two minutes, Little would connect with Brian Hooks for Dazz’s second score of the game, however the Strikers would answer that score with one of their own as with time expiring Johnson would connect with Stevens for a final of 36-12.  Kirby Williams was named TAFFL Bowl VII Most Valuable Player.

The win could be bittersweet for the Strikers and Captain Ken Usher, as rumor has it that many of his players will become unrestricted Free Agents and are almost certain to not be Strikers in September.

BOX SCORE

On Sunday, the rain stayed away long enough for the Triangle Area Flag Football League to host ALL-STAR III...the League's third installment of its version of the All-Star Game.  Players from both conferences who were selected by the voters and the writers would battle to determine which Conference reigned supreme.

When the final whistle blew there was no doubt it was the South after a 34-8 bashing of the East.

In a surprise twist, Marcus Cole, President and TAFFL's second leading All-time passer would start the game at QB for both conferences and just like his All-Star quarterback counterparts, would find success with the South and defeat with the East.  Cole would lead the South on a quick and impressive scoring drive on only two plays, when he would connect first with Ryan Bradley of the Raleigh Woodpeckers and then on the next play would hit Jamaal Seetram in the endzone for the quick 6-0 lead.  However, on Cole's starting drive with the East, he would erase a great start, by throwing an interception on his first pass attempt to League MVP Clyde Price.

Up next for the South would be official South starting QB Patty Duke of the Bad Boys, who like he did all season long, would lead the South on two scoring drives using both his arms and his legs.  Duke would rush for a touchdown at the 5:50 mark and after a stalled East drive would come back and connect with Corey Peterson, who would 'moss' two east defenders in the endzone.  This would make the score 18-0 with under five minutes to go before the break.  Dazz QB Ken Little would then get in on the action as with :24 seconds left in the first half would hit his own teammate J. Seetram, his second of the day, and the 24-0 lead.  On the extra point, Adam Bailey of the Crush would return a Little pass for two points and put the score at 24-2 going into the break.

After the break, it appeared as if the South did not lose a step, as just over a minute in, Donnell Hall, the League's second All-Time leader in sacks would sack the East QB in the endzone for the safety.  Eleven minutes later, East QB Ryan Borowitz would lead the East on its only touchdown scoring drive when he would connect with the Reservoir Dogs' Travis Well, aka Chad Johnson to bring the score to 26-8.  Corey Peterson would then get in on the action as with under three minutes left in the game, he would connect with the Bad Boys' Tamaro Johnson for the final 34-8.  Jamaal Seetram was named your ALL-STAR III MVP as he hauled in three catches for two touchdowns.

NOTABLE:
SOUTH
Patty Duke (Bad Boys): Passing TD, Rushing TD
Donald Van Lew (Strikers): Reception, Defensive Interception, 2 Tackles
Corey Peterson (Assault): Passing TD, Reception (TD), Defensive Interception

EAST
Clyde Price (Raw Talent): 2 Reception
Andre Berry (Raleigh Thunder) Defensive Interception
Andrew Manzolillo (Da Inc.): 2 Receptions

Continuing to build upon the reputation of being the only Flag Football League in North Carolina to offer (insert offerings here)...

The Triangle Area Flag Football League on Sunday crowned five players as Champions in individual skill competition events during All-Star Weekend.  The events which featured a big man fastest man, a fastest man, quarterback, hands, and tackle drills were all part of a new All-Star weekend format that that League hopes will continue.  Participants were plenty as the five events took place and in the end the following players had walked away as champions and a little richer.

In the first event, 'Run Biggie Run' it was the Crush's Wayne Russell who proved he was the fastest man in TAFFL weighing over 250lbs.  In the final heat that pitted him against the Strikers' Orlando Adwaters and Dazz's James Booker, Russell was at least 2 seconds faster than either.

Next up was the 'Stop! Police..." event created to crown the League's fastest man under 250lbs and it was the Strikers Kendall Stevens who would take the crown.  However, it took a photo finish against teammate Donald Van Lew to crown Stevens the Champ.

That even was followed by the "Pull Me If You Can" tackle drill, which saw 'retired' veteran Harold Thomas, enter the competition and easily walk away with the crown over a second place Donnell Hall of the Assault.

Following was 'Target Practice" a QB Drill designed to test the strength and accuracy of the top quarterbacks in the League and in a perfect final round, the Assault's Corey Peterson would take the crown.

Lastly, the 'Revolving Bullet', the day's seemingly most popular event, would see big man in Orlando Adwaters of the Strikers take home the title of 'Best Hands' with an impressive 25 point final round.

SEASON VIII

-VIGILANCE-

SEPT. 2008
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