Recap Dec. 2, 2006

WEATHER: Not sure it could be any more perfect – sunny, 75, no wind.

GAME: After not being sure we'd have a turnout because of USC-UCLA, but we got 17 and had a thriller. White rallied from a 24-6 deficit to nip Dark, 34-32. White tied the score on a TD reception by Brent, them took the lead on David's pass to Toby for the 2-pointer. Dark then drove down inside the White 5, but was unable to get into the end zone.

WELCOME: A big hello to Ray, Sean, Darren and Alex. And a big welcome back to Peter.

MVP: A rare award to a defender but Brent deserves it. He was awesome rushing the passer and changed the game. I counted five sacks and numerous other pressures. He often beat double-team blocking ("That guy's fast!" said one after Brent got around him).

CATCH OF THE DAY: Ramsey can never catch the ball and keep his feet, but he still is able to hold on. His best was on a TD over the middle on a pass from Sean. Ramsey caught the ball while falling backwards and still held on.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Jeremiah got everyone's attention on his 60-yard catch and run. Of course, the defense was stunned that he actually caught the ball in the first place. Once they recovered, they could not catch him as he changed direction and sped away from Patrick (aided by a nice block by Toby).

CLUTCH PLAY OF THE GAME: Despite falling short, Dark came up with a key play that kept the drive alive. Facing 4th-and-10 from their own 15, Sean found Andrew down the sideline for a 60-yard gain down to the 5. One of the White players – I think Jeremiah – made the tackle, in what turned out to be a key grab.

BALL HAWKS: Kudos on a couple of nice picks. Ramsey read the ball on a pass in the flat, snagged it and ran in about 30 yards for a score. Patrick made a terrific grab to get a pick and ran it down deep inside White territory to set up a score.

BEST LINE: Sean was complaining that Brent, as pass rusher, was raising his arms in his face (a totally legal play at any level of football as long as he doesn't hit him). "I've been playing longer than you've been alive!" Brent said. "Really?" Sean said. Not too far from the truth.

HIGHLIGHTS: Darren made several nice grabs, including one for a TD. … I had both a TD and a conversion as I continue playing receiver. … Mark continues to be a terrific flag-grabber, an art I have never mastered. … Ray was solid on both sides of the ball, and had several sweet catches. … Nice hookup on a long sideline pass from Puff Daddy to Toby. … David did a nice job at QB in leading White back once he got settled. … I have finally realized how hard it is to grab Peter's flag once he catches it. It's like trying to tackle a freight train.

SCHEDULE: We are playing Dec. 9 and 16. NOT playing the 23rd. I will get a head count prior to Dec. 30. NOT playing Jan. 6 or 13 (NFL Playoffs).

See you then!
Jim