dales world excellent!!! - Championship or bust

With the European flag football championships this weekend we traveled to
Darmstadt to participate. Once we got there we learned a good number of
things. First, it wasn't 21 teams, it was actually 14. And second, and
by far the most punishing, each team would play 8 games (4 on Friday and 4
on Saturday) with the top six teams advancing to a double elimination
tournament for the whole enchillada today. These games would last only 20
minutes, and be two 10 minute halves. Which for us spelled a lot of
trouble being as we enjoy the fourth quarter nail biters.
Game one was
held Friday morning and was a tight battle until late in the second half.
With the score 14-7 we were driving to tie it up and instead of throwing
down field we tried a trick play. Quick toss to the WR, and he heaves it
down. Only problem was he had to throw off his back foot, which then
caused the ball to be a lame duck. Thus ending our game with them picking
the ball out of the air. Final score 21-7.
Games 2 and 3 were very
similar, both went to overtime. In game 2, we took 9 minutes of the first
half to score, which put the other team on their heels. They eventually
tied the game up at 6 early in the second half. That's how it ended. In
OT, we scored, and didn't convert the extra point, then the defense held
and the game ended. Final score 12-6. Game 3 was just like that, only
the score was 0-0 going into OT. Again we scored first and no extra
point. They turned it right back around, and scored. The extra point can
be disputed because the QB tied and tucked his flags to make it nearly
impossible to get them off. The refs did know it, but did nothing about
it. Final score 7-6.
Game four was interesting to say the least. We
quickly jumped to a 6-0 lead, then forced them into their own end zone and
got the safety. In the second half they scored, and went for 3, defense
held and thats how the game ended. Even though they gave us a few scares
along the way, the final score remained 8-6.
Saturday began with us
knowing that to stand a decent shot we needed to go 4-0. That didn't seem
to be in the cards when again it came down to the last second. Up 7-0 we
drove to tie the game, and scored making it 7-6. The haunting fact that
we couldn't get the extra points returned to beat us again with a dropped
pass. Final score 7-6.
Game 6 was the only game we won yesterday, and my
first chance to get on the field and reek havoc in the back field from the
D Line. Scoring twice in the first half, the Defense, with constant
pressure on their QB from my counterpart and myself, held tough, almost
getting another safety. Final score 13-0.
Game 7 was close until the 2
minute warning in the second half. With the ref's help in the first half,
time ran out and we were denied a possible score when they didn't
recognize our WR calling for the time out. In the second half they
marched down the field and scored, with the offense unable to get the ball
anywhere we punted then Defense took to the field again. They, however
disputed it might be, score again. Final score 13-0.
Game 8 we just
didn't care. Knowing that even if we won we needed to much help, our goal
was just to reek havoc and have some fun. Which is exactly what we did.
Final score was a 21-0 loss at the 2 minute warning of the second half.

In the games I played, 6,7 and 8, I managed 6 sacks (one wasn't counted
but we all know it was) and 2 angered QB's not to mention a couple
dumbfounded linemen. Mission accomplished I'd say. In game 7 alone I
managed 3 sacks, the first coming on a 4th and 3 to bring the offense back
on the field, the next 2 were at the end of the game. #2 came the
disputed sack. I got back to the QB and ripped it flags off, landed on
the ground sat up and watched him throw the ball. No sack recorded. On
the very next play, I made sure I got his flags again, this time it
counted. The next play was coincidentally the one they scored on. I came
through and was right on him when I slipped in the mud. In the time that
allowed him, he got rid of the ball and they caught the TD. It was at
that point he told me not to chase him, he didn't want to run anymore.
Yeah that'll happen.
The last 2 sacks I earned were in the final game. On
the first play from scrimmage they took the ball and ran right by me.
Unable to snatch his flags I told him it was a good run to which he told
me he was going to play with me all day long. REALLY!! The next play I
came through snatched his flags and said, "don't fucking play with me,
I'll turn your world upside down." The last one was nothing special, with
the game in their hands I ran through uncontested and grabbed his flags.
End of game
Our final record came down to 3-5. The hard thing to grip is
that we couldn't score when we needed to. But the best thing, we played
every single team that ended up advancing to today. So regardless of who
wins, we can say we played them, and game them hell in the meantime. No 2
for 1 for me this year, but with the same team next year, we can return
and this time know what to expect.

Private First Class Jason Rynders 63B
US ARMY

Current Mood: sore