Recap Feb. 25, 2006

WEATHER: Newfoundland's capital city, St. John's, virtually shut down Saturday after a fierce blizzard pummeled it with snow and powerful winds. Penmar Park was quite a contrast, 72 and sunny and calm. The only wind came from JP flapping his gums.

GAME: An odd defensive struggle in part, but White led from the start to win going away 40-18. Dark won the turnover battle but never got its offense on track.

NEXT WEEK: This is simple – we are playing next week, rain or shine (no rain forecast as of now). Enough people said they will play regardless that we will dispense with any watching the weather. Show up and play or be a wuss. J

WELCOME: A big hello to Jason who was literally driving by and asked if he could play. He coaches Pop Warner in Santa Monica and said it was fun not to be playing with 9-year-olds. I said some of us act like 9-year-olds at times, but that's another matter.

A big welcome back to Dan, who hadn't played in years, and to Marc and Demond, both making their first appearance in months since they were sidelined by injuries. They looked like they hadn't missed a beat.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Stabbing pains are shooting through my wrists as I type this. I would much prefer being shot in the chest by Dick Cheney or sit in a small room with Scott Hamilton yelling about double toe loops. But, honorable man that I am, I have to give this award to JP.

He called a terrific game as defensive coordinator, leading White to many stops. On offense, he caught numerous passes and had a couple of touchdowns. Of course, on one play where I rushed the passer and batted the ball away he criticized me because if I hadn't hit the ball he would have had an interception! Those shooting pains in my wrist are back.

BEST EXCUSE FOR NOT SHOWING UP: Zach, who was 40 minutes out on his way back from Big Bear until a friend realized he had forgotten his wallet and they had to turn around.

BEST EXCUSE FOR DROPPING A PASS: "I was hung over." – Toby, who spent all night at a Mardi Gras party.

BEST GOAL LINE STAND: Dark had a first-and-goal at the White 1 and was held. Best plays were Oren knocking away a pass on third down and Demond stopping Marino short on a fourth-down run.

OFFENSIVE FORCE: Anthony had about a hundred catches, or at least it seemed that way, many of the leaping variety. He added three TDs along the way for good measure.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Rodger made a brilliant over-the-shoulder grab on a nice pass from Marino for a long gainer. Of course, they picked on Jason on his first play ever, so it was a nice initiation.

RUNNERUP: The hangover made Toby less than his usual stellar self, but he was brilliant on one over-the-shoulder catch where he got his first foot in and kicked the pylon with the second for the score.

WEIRD TD OF THE DAY: Marino hot Brian on a medium pass, and Anthony grabbed at the flag but missed. Brian, assuming he was down, stood still until his teammates yelled in unison "Go! Go!" Brian then ran the length of the field and survived a diving last-gasp attempt by Anthony for a score.

HIGHLIGHTS: Key fourth-down TD by white came on a flanker to the back of the end zone pattern to from me to JP, which he caught. … On another play, I threw the ball as JP broke and he barely looked up in time to make the catch. … Brent made a very nifty catch on a fourth down, extending his arms to bring in the ball. … Dan was terrific at middle linebacker, but he needs a bit of work on his interception technique. … Jason showed some nice bursts of speed on a couple of short passes. … Demond was very effective as a situational pass rusher, getting at least one sack and forcing several incompletions. … It was great seeing Oren swat one away from Brent, since Brent's always giving him shit at their gym. And was I the only one who saw Brent grab and hold Oren around the collar as Oren went out on one pattern?Throw the flag! … Nice defensive game by Marino, with two picks and several great flag grabs.

See you next week.