Recap: Dec. 8, 2007

JP, eyes wide shut, makes the game-winning catch (click image for larger view)

BRENT'S PHOTOS: Many more from our games of Nov. 17 and Dec. 8.

WEATHER: It was a lovely day for football, though a bit on the cool side (60), with some stiff breezes. We played on the soccer field at Penmar and had zero water and little mud to speak of (so why did some of the regulars not show?)

SCHEDULE: We are playing Dec. 15 at Penmar Park and Dec. 22 at Playa Vista (with a special guest appearance by Rory, who is home for the holidays).

GAME: White took an early two-TD lead and wound up winning by that margin, 52-38, though Dark got into a groove and kept coming on.

AN ADVENTURE: Andrew (the lawyer from Cal) was the player you didn’t want to take your eyes off of since you had no idea what was going to happen.

He scored White’s first two TDs, the second on a great stop and go pattern. Then he got in the holiday spirit and started giving. I hit him perfectly in stride and he kind of shoveled it forward without securing it, it was caught by Uhrlacher (Drew) who took it for a Pick Six. The funniest play came when instead of knocking down a Dark conversion attempt he decided to go an interception; he made a nifty one-handed catch but then nearly sent it flying to the receiver standing there. JP almost had a fit.

SWIVEL HIPS: Mike rushed a lot for Dark and for some reason my slow ass kept avoiding being sacked. He must have missed my flag a dozen times, one more reason I slick it up with silicone before we start.

CATCHING MACHINE: As much as it pains me to say so, JP made a ton of big catches. The best was the game’s last play when he reached back behind the defender in the end zone and snagged what turned out to be the game-winner.

MOVES, NO MOVES: Patrick has great speed and quickness and it was on display on several plays. On one, it looked like he was about to run out of bounds when he suddenly stopped, changed direction and sprinted for a score.

In contrast, JP has all the moves of a bulldozer. He would look like he was about to go out of bounds, stop … then fall out of bounds anyway.

GAME OF INCHES: On one play, David came thisclose to getting sacked and threw the ball. Jeff came thisclose to picking off the pass but it went just past his hands to Drew, who came thisclose to stepping out of bounds but kept his feet and scored.

ALL THAT FOR NOTHING: On one play, Patrick caught a 7-yard pass, then decided to reverse field and run backwards, then sideways, then forward. He probably ran 30 yards total until his flag was grabbed and wound up with a 0 yards gain.

PAINFUL: Brent did not play for the first time in ages. He contracted pneumonia and was in great pain. He did come out to shoot some pics but he was really laboring. A month ago he lost the hearing in one ear and thinks the pneumonia was caused by the oral steroids he took. Hope he’s back soon!

NOTABLE: Catch of the day by Jeff, extending and reaching out for a key 10-yard catch on third down. … Drew scored back to back TDs for Dark, one on a catch and the other on an interception return. … Chris made a great adjustment on a ball behind him in the end zone but could not quite bring it in. … David and Patrick made a great QB-WR tandem, constantly burning White. … Weird play of the day came on a TD grab by Patrick. Andrew had his back turned and it seemed as if the pass went through his legs into the arms of Patrick laying on the ground. It exemplified what a wacky and fun day it was.