Flag recap Feb. 16, 2008

PHOTOS: Zach (wearing Brent's cleats) goes high for a pass in the end zone. More photos from Brent can be found here.

WEATHER: It might have been frightful elsewhere but the weather was delightful in Venice – sunny, calm and 70.

SCHEDULE: We are back Saturday Feb. 23, 12:30 p.m. Penmar.

GAME: A real thriller. White jumped out early and led by 10. Within three plays, Dark had grabbed the lead. White then reasserted itself and pulled ahead again, only to see Dark rally. White held on, 58-56, when Dark failed on a 2-point conversion on the game’s final play. Congrats to whoever bet the over.

BIZARRE PLAY OF THE DAY: In a day of strange plays, hard to top Mat’s. He played DB and the pass was thrown right to him. He had the ball for a millisecond, then bobbled it and sort of flung it forward, into the waiting arms of Patrick, who gladly took the gift and ran it in for the score. Mat made up for it with a great interception two series later where he stole the ball from the receiver.

BOMBS AWAY: We had a ton of long plays. Gilbert got into the act on two great deep routes and catches from Christophe and Drew. He has terrific body control… Zach ran a terrific post-corner that got him behind the defense for a score. … Mat went deep twice early for long TDs. … Patrick made most of his big catches on seemingly tipped passes, then he spiked it the ball to mock Brent, who said he would only get going when the clock hit double zero. … Jeff ran two superb post routes for long scores.

FANCY FOOTWORK: There were several really nice grabs by players who not only had to get the ball but also keep their feet inbounds. JT had one that helped set up a TD. Jay had several where he managed to make key first downs. ZS had a great grab where he went high over the always tough Gilbert and managed to get it and reach over the pylon.

GREAT D: Hard to say there was a ton of D in a 58-56 game, but there were terrific plays. David made a great read at MLB that resulted in him getting a pick. … Mike had several awesome pass rushes, including on the last play that forced a throw and preserved White’s win. … Brent also made a great read and react at LB that got him a pick. … Mr. Heads Up was Christophe, who was in position on a pass that ricocheted off a White player and into his hands for an easy pick six.

WEIRD PLAY CALLS: Still not sure why Dark tried a direct snap that resulted in a 1-yard QB run on 4th and goal from the 15. The videotape Belichick gave White totally tipped them off! … Honorable mention goes to the two White option plays that resulted in a 5-yard loss and a 3-yard gain.

GREAT MOVES: T.O. was great all day starting in the backfield and finding gaps. He made a great move and spin on a short pass he took for what turned out to be the clinching TD. On a couple of shovel passes he turned nothing into something both times for nice gains.

FASHION NOTE: Zach borrowed Brent’s cleats and promptly drove home with them on. Brent is holding Zach’s sneakers as ransom.

HIGHLIGHTS: Great pass by Christophe to Jeff from about 6 yards; White had good coverage and he really fired it in. … TO made a great leaping grab for a 2-pointer where he kept the ball despite getting hit by the DB. …

Brent made several key catches as center. The best was where he snagged the ball, and in the surprised words of TO, “showed some athleticism” by avoiding the flag grab and racing for the TD. “You know, Gilbert, I’m old enough to be your grandfather!” Brent said to the guy who missed his flag. … Zach mirrored Brent by doing something similar on a short pass that he took 55 yards for a score. …

Drew did a great job avoiding the rush most of the game and stepping up to make big throws. … Nice heads up play by ZS to keep running his route when I was in trouble on a blitz. He kept moving and wound up breaking free for a 2-pointer. … Props to Gilbert for sacking me after I taunted him that there was no way he would sack me.