We had rain, sun, sleet, snow, ice all in the span of 45 minutes.  It was a day with a lot of new faces, and while we only had 13 -- enough for a 6-6, it was a spirited two games, with as many big plays as I can remember. Of course, I can't remember much, maybe it was the weather or all the running.

Game 1: 

Dark 33 - Light 18 (game to 32)

Game 2: 

Dark 27 - Light 20 (game suspended)

Theme of the Day:

New faces and big plays.  Miles, Peter, Tall Sam.  New players came out and strut their stuff today.  I think almost every TD was on a long pass or a great play.  While there was a core of old timers there, myself included, about half the guys had just started playing this season or had only played a couple of times before.

Plays of the Day:

When I asked for opinions about best play at the end of the second game, I literally got a different play from 5 people.  And they were all right.  My top play was Miles going horizontal on a deep bomb to snag the ball out from Armando who was sure he had the INT.  Miles also had a nice catch after a INT went through my hands, showing excellent concentration hauling the tipped pass in.  Armando showed he had a few tricks in him with a diving catch for a big first down from Brandon.  Peter had a sweet run, breaking some tackles along way.  I had a nice run on a slant cutting back against the grain for a TD.  Brandon had a long TD on an out, breaking down the sideline almost untouched, I know I'm missing 2 or 3 other plays.

Stats of the Day:

Tall Sam tied the game record for 2 blocked passes, one a Motumboesq swat.  Miles had at least a couple of other TD's, and he had one of the days' few INTs.  I dropped two sure INT's, like right through my hands dropped, and a sure TD (must be the groin pull).  Gosh I wish I could remember some other plays.

Anyone want to give an old man a hand? No not that kind of hand, a hand remembering what happened?

We got off to a late start, but rustled up 15 players for a marathon 2+ hour game, that went down to the final play. No pictures today as I played for the team without subs.

The Game:
Dark 33 - Light 32
Dark Roster: Adam, Charlie, Brandon, Jim, JJ, Jay Steve
Light Roster: Tony, Corey, Dan, PJ, Kevin, JB, Cassius, Gary

Theme of the Day:
There seems to be a trend this year of blow-outs and comebacks. This game had both. Light was up 20-6, had the ball and seemed well on its way to a rout. Dark's defense was about as effective as a paperbag holding a gallon of water. Light's three headed QB rotation of Tony, PJ, and Dan moved the ball efficiently down the field. Then ever slowly, Dark crawled their way back into the game. There wasn't a single turning point, in fact I don't think Light threw an INT. It was just small victory after small victory for Dark, a dropped pass here, a turnover on down there, and suddenly the score went from 26-12 Dark to Light 32- Dark 26 and the ball for score or go home drive. Dark scored quickly after missing on their first pass attempt, they hit the next 5 passes in a row to tie the game. Pass number 6 on the extra point ended the game, as Tony could only stare on in disbelief from the sidelines.

Player of the Day:
Sometimes even in a team effort, one player stands up constantly making big plays when they're needed. Today it was Jay's turn. Jay scored the last two Dark TD. The final one that tied the game was in traffic and ended with a collision that sent Jay to the ground still holding the ball. He followed that up by catching the game winning extra point. He also tied Kevin's game record of 2 blocked passes rushing the QB, and he may have had a sack. Add to that several other big catches against only one dropped pass, and he's this week's player of the week.

Trivia of the Day:
What's first base for gay men? (you can answer in the comments) I learned in our huddle.

Plays of the Day:
Tony had a nice option run for a Light TD, and taking a rare turn as a receiver score a TD on a deep bomb into broken coverage. JB took a deep pass for an early light TD. Jay's final TD mentioned earlier was a tough catch, and he did a great job holding onto the ball. Charlie made some fine catches snatching the ball out of the air on a couple of occasions.

Stats of the Day:
Kevin helped Light build their early lead with not one but two goal line INT's. It was so bad, that even on the last drive, Jim kept talking about how to keep Kevin out of the play on the final TD play. Despite those two INT's, Jim and Brandon got into a grove late in the game that helped lead Dark back. It wasn't in the stat book, but I did a good job of protecting Dark's QB from the pass rush. In fact, I blocked so much, that I think I might as well have been wearing a 74 on my shirt for my only TD & xtra point. The Light QB's were good, but hurt by a lot of dropped passes. Steve showed his usual knack for finding the open spot and moving the chains. I know there were sacks by both teams, but don't remember who had them (if you remember pls post in the comments section).

Must be the Wind:
Dark QB's despite their victory showed an incredibly bad touch on deep balls all day, overthrowing open receivers 5 or 6 times, it was so bad they commented on it in the huddle. The lack of deep balls didn't hurt them in the long run though.

60 degrees, in February? Come on, I got a frickin' sun tan. We had a great turnout for another 8 on 8 day with subs. 2 games and 3 hours later, we left for home. Some pictures of the day are here (some of my best if you ask me -- and I got some other QB's throwing).

Game 1 Final:
Dark 36 - Light 12 (game 32)
Not quite a shutout, but Dark controlled the game pretty handily. It was a pretty quick game running about 1h 15m.

Game 2 Final:
Light 24 - Dark 20 (game 22)
Light came back down with Dark just a score away at 20 points. The game featured two 20 minute drives that turned up zero points -- one by each team.

Theme of the Day:
The weather without a doubt. I mean this is February, and we're not in LA. We saw a bunch of the new guys make some contributions, Lloyd had a couple of catches, Peter finished out the first game with a TD, Chris almost made a sweet INT. The return of Allscott "Best Gay Quarterback."

Stats of the Day:
Marlon had the only int of the day from my memory. Marlon also came back from a case of the dropsies to make a big 3rd down conversion and then scored a game winning TD, coming up with at least 2 on the day. I had a key sack towards the end of the second game (with the family watching), pushing my way to grab Patrick's flag. Patrick had a nice running TD at the beginning of the first game, though it wasn't enough to keep Light in the game.

The Dark QB's Jim & Brandon played pretty flawlessly in the first game, making tough throws and showing good touch in the romp.

Plays of the Day:
A lot of nice catches. Brandon had a sweet catch on the far sideline. Patrick also showed some great hands in the second game, reaching up high and getting his feet in for a score. After several long drives, with minimal results, Allscott showed everyone why he's "the best quarterback" hooking with Marlon -- one play, 80 yards, 1 TD. Sam had a couple of tough (and I mean physical) catches towards the pool end of the field, going up in traffic and coming down with the ball -- even though one TD was called back. Craig was a go-to reciever for Dark in the second game, showing good concentration on a big 4th down catch as Chris collided with him. Oh, and I showed Charlie's dog who was boss running over him for 5 yards in the first game.

Sure there was other plays, Brandon, Allscott, let me know what I forgot.

Played 2 games this Sunday, and we had a huge turnout (was it was Super Bowl Sunday or the beautiful 50 degree weather) -- playing 8-8 with 3 subs for the first game and 8-8 in the second game.

Game 1 Final:
Dark 32 - Light 20
Dark Roster was something like Charlie, Burton, Tony, Armando, Marvin, Kevin, Craig, Peter, Miles (who took a pain walk after I toasted him for the first TD of the day), Greg, Achai
Light Roster was +/- Patrick, Adam, Barry, Jim, Kenneth, Gary, JB, Lloyd, Marc, JJ, Brian, Dan
Light took a 20-6 lead, then watch as Dark came back, scored 26 straight points, shutting down Light's offense (at one point PJ threw 8 consecutive incomplete's against Dark's man to man defense). Here's some video of the game winner.


Game 2 Final:
Dark 27 - Light 6
Dark Rosterish Dan, Tony, Burton, Brian, Kevin, Lloyd, Barry, Greg, Achai, Armando
Light Roster: Adam, Jim, Charlie, Marvin, Marc, JJ, Craig
Game to 22, Light never really got their act together either on Offense of Defense.

Theme(s) of the Day:
Mud. Oh and the mud. Did I mention the mud? Mix snow, ice and bright sun you get mud, goody like cake batter or baby poop (you're gonna have to trust me on this one), we were caked in it. It felt like you were running with weights on your legs from all the mud on your shoes (nice day to break in new cleats Adam).

I found mud in my ear going home. Still the weather was nice and it was a great day for football, maybe if there had been a little less mud, it would have been perfect.

Quote of the Day:
As the teams were lining up pre-snap, Tony was centering to Dan.
Unattributed: "Watch Tony coming out."
JJ: "We've been watching him coming out for 10 years."

Play(s) of the Day:
Marvin streaking downfield to catch John Burton from behind on a long catch (too much mud on the cleats John).

Burton's INT at the goal line returned for a TD.

My stretching catch over the middle for a TD, reaching out high to snatch the ball out of the air.

Tony's flips (flip on a long return to seal the TD & multiple laterals to win the last game).

Stats of the Day:
My 3 TD's in the first game were Light's only scores -- I dropped #4 after buring Burton deep, who seemed to be standing in the mud, sigh.

Marc St. Pierre had 2 INT's with Light's back agains the goal line.

Burton had a INT which he returned for a TD.

Tony scrambled 20 yards for a TD in the second game.

Kevin continued his streak of blocked passes with another one at the line of scrimmage.

That's about all I can remember after the Super Bowl get together at the Duplex Diner. What do you remember?

Here are some pictures of the day.

Some video from the games.

This says it all.