Flag Recap Dec. 30, 2006

WEATHER: Gorgeous – sunny, calm, not a cloud in the sky, near 70. A great way to end the year.

GAME: A thriller that saw Dark hang on to win, 30-26.

SCHEDULE: We are off the next two Saturdays and are back Jan. 20.

MVP: Have to give it to Ray, for his three interceptions that turned the game for dark.

PLAY OF THE GAME: For its humor value – Toby was guarding Ray and went up to the line for the play. Ray stuck out his hand in what Toby thought was a friendly gesture. Ray timed it perfectly and yanked Toby back as the ball was snapped and ran right by him. It was poetic justice as Ray dropped a perfect pass down field.

BEST NICKNAME: Brent somehow came up with calling Rory "Orchid," as in delicate flower after Rory would grip his hamstring the two times he was beat. "Yes, I'm a succulent," Rory said. "You can say that again," Brent said.

BEST MOVE: Patrick made a great stop and go move that left the defender yelling "Oh, shit" and left Patrick wide open for an easy TD from Marino.

LAST TD OF THE YEAR: Yes, I will take the honor. The play was for me to sell the block and flare out in the flat. Dan read it perfectly, hit me with a short pass and I ran 60 yards (believe it or not) for a score. It helped that Patrick missed my flag.

BALL HAWKS: Dark wound up with four total, led by Ray's three. Peter also had a key pick on a long pass attempt.

HIGHLIGHTS: Oren came up with several nice grabs, his best being one he caught in traffic near the goal line. … Patrick made a terrific grab on a fourth-down TD. The ball hit his hands and started to slip away when a defender's hand knocked the ball back into Patrick's body enough for him to haul it in. … Good hands men on White were Rory and Toby, who consistently came up with big catches. … Brent also had several nice grabs and would have gained more yards if he remembered where the sideline was. … I had another lateral after a catch that led to an additional 15 yards; the next time I caught one I faked the lateral and gained 10 more yards after the defense stopped. ... Tip of the hat to Marino for calling a nice game at QB with no picks and several nice fourth-down completions.

Happy New Year!
Jim