Toejam Takes Two In First Weekend Of Playoffs!
Toejam, the section 14 flag football team, won its first two playoff games on Saturday. The wins put them into the Elite Eight in the Flag Football Championship Tournament. With the two victories, Toejam extends its current winning streak to five games.
Toejam got on the board early in the first game, with a touchdown pass on the first drive from quarterback Casey O'Connor to offensive workhorse Nick Sloey. After a successful conversion, Toejam was quickly up 7-0. On the very next play, the defense put six on the board when O'Connor ran back an interception for a touchdown. The ensuing conversion attempt was successful thanks to a circus act catch by tight end Ryan Smith. O'Connor threw up a pass that appeared to be on its way to being intercepted. However, the ball bounced off the defender's hands at which point, Smith (utilizing his rather extensive vertical leap) jumped up and tipped the ball over the defender's head and caught it behind him in the endzone to make the score 14-0. After the other team scored to make it 14-6, Toejam put the first game away with a touchdown reception by Peter Eicker (section 11). Following an interception by Steve Smyers, it appeared that Toejam scored again late on a dazzling 50 yard run by O'Connor, but a combination of unsportsmanlike complaining on the part of the other team and questionable officiating led to the play being overturned by a dubious procedural penalty. Being the men of high character and sportsmanship that they are, however, the boys didn't let it get them down, and they ran out the clock to claim victory and advance to the next round of the playoffs.
The second game of the day marked quite possibly the most impressive victory of the season thus far for Toejam. A season of dedication and hard work paid off as the team came together as a cohesive unit to earn a hard fought victory. Despite facing a team with a 5-0 regular season record, Toejam never waivered in their belief that they would come out on top. After being forced to punt on their first possession, the Toejam defense stood strong and prevented the other team's offense from getting any points on the board. It appeared as if the other team was about to score, until an O'Connor interception in the endzone turned the momentum back in Toejam's favor. Following the turnover, the team marched the length of the field to score on yet another touchdown by Sloey. The other team tied the game at six with a touchdown of their own. After this, and knowing their season was on the line, Toejam stepped it up and took the lead for good on a spectacular sliding catch at the side of the endzone by Tyler Moore. It was now in the hands of the defense to shut down the other team and secure the victory, and they didn't disappoint. Despite the fact that the officials seemed to be doing everything in their power to help the other team (on the final drive of the game, they had more yards of penalties than they did of offense), the defense stood strong and forced a turnover on downs. The key play of the drive was an amazing play by Jered Mattthysse to break up a third down pass. After getting the ball back with very little time left, Toejam appeared to get another touchdown, but again questionable officiating brought back the touchdown. It didn't matter to the team, however, as they were able to maintain control of the ball until time expired and claim their second win of the day.
All in all, it was an outstanding day of football from the men of Toejam. It was obvious that the team really gelled today It was definitely a team win in both games, as every player involved contributed. The importance of the teamwork and determination possessed by Toejam was evident, as both of their opponents struggled once they fell behind and stopped working together. Toejam goes on to play next Saturday, and the team is looking forward to bringing the championship to section 14.
As Chris Mooney says, "Know the Toe."
Toejam got on the board early in the first game, with a touchdown pass on the first drive from quarterback Casey O'Connor to offensive workhorse Nick Sloey. After a successful conversion, Toejam was quickly up 7-0. On the very next play, the defense put six on the board when O'Connor ran back an interception for a touchdown. The ensuing conversion attempt was successful thanks to a circus act catch by tight end Ryan Smith. O'Connor threw up a pass that appeared to be on its way to being intercepted. However, the ball bounced off the defender's hands at which point, Smith (utilizing his rather extensive vertical leap) jumped up and tipped the ball over the defender's head and caught it behind him in the endzone to make the score 14-0. After the other team scored to make it 14-6, Toejam put the first game away with a touchdown reception by Peter Eicker (section 11). Following an interception by Steve Smyers, it appeared that Toejam scored again late on a dazzling 50 yard run by O'Connor, but a combination of unsportsmanlike complaining on the part of the other team and questionable officiating led to the play being overturned by a dubious procedural penalty. Being the men of high character and sportsmanship that they are, however, the boys didn't let it get them down, and they ran out the clock to claim victory and advance to the next round of the playoffs.
The second game of the day marked quite possibly the most impressive victory of the season thus far for Toejam. A season of dedication and hard work paid off as the team came together as a cohesive unit to earn a hard fought victory. Despite facing a team with a 5-0 regular season record, Toejam never waivered in their belief that they would come out on top. After being forced to punt on their first possession, the Toejam defense stood strong and prevented the other team's offense from getting any points on the board. It appeared as if the other team was about to score, until an O'Connor interception in the endzone turned the momentum back in Toejam's favor. Following the turnover, the team marched the length of the field to score on yet another touchdown by Sloey. The other team tied the game at six with a touchdown of their own. After this, and knowing their season was on the line, Toejam stepped it up and took the lead for good on a spectacular sliding catch at the side of the endzone by Tyler Moore. It was now in the hands of the defense to shut down the other team and secure the victory, and they didn't disappoint. Despite the fact that the officials seemed to be doing everything in their power to help the other team (on the final drive of the game, they had more yards of penalties than they did of offense), the defense stood strong and forced a turnover on downs. The key play of the drive was an amazing play by Jered Mattthysse to break up a third down pass. After getting the ball back with very little time left, Toejam appeared to get another touchdown, but again questionable officiating brought back the touchdown. It didn't matter to the team, however, as they were able to maintain control of the ball until time expired and claim their second win of the day.
All in all, it was an outstanding day of football from the men of Toejam. It was obvious that the team really gelled today It was definitely a team win in both games, as every player involved contributed. The importance of the teamwork and determination possessed by Toejam was evident, as both of their opponents struggled once they fell behind and stopped working together. Toejam goes on to play next Saturday, and the team is looking forward to bringing the championship to section 14.
As Chris Mooney says, "Know the Toe."
posted by Jack at 3:29 PM
1 Comments:
Congrats on the win!
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