Also Baller not yet on website, FNG Jeff visiting from PIT
It was a cool, but muggy morning as 14 gridiron warriors met to do battle on the treachoerous turf fields of Bailey Road Park. After a lengthy disclaimer, a half lap warmup ensued, followed by a quick round of side-straddle-hop x10. Then YHC decided we should just get to it.
It took a few minutes to work out the details, but we agreed on playing goal box to goal box (long and wide) with a first down possible for crossing mid-field. Shirts vs. skins, 1 blitz per set of downs, regular kickoffs, and two hand touch format. Seems like there may have been other rules but I'm not really a rules guy, so I don't know what they were.
It was a fierce back-and-forth battle throughout. With the score tied 2-2, there was some question as to whether either defense was ever going to get a stop. Hall Monitor and Swing State (all-time quarterbacks due to injury and fear of injury, respectively) moved their teams down the field with precision passing and outstanding efficiency. Both established favorite targets fairly quickly, with Baller having no problem getting open for the skins side and Vinegar Bend using his height and athleticism to wreak havoc on the skins D. That said, the QBs both did a great job spreading the targets out across their 6 wideouts. Hall Monitor also getting completions to Omega, Caboose, Soprano, Waffle House, and Cracker Jack, while Swing State connected with Rooter, Ramrod, Easy, Jersey Boy, and FNG Jeff.
At points, it seemed like Ramrod was wishing we were playing tackle, making one comment about having just checked Omega into the bleachers. And Jersey Boy had the fielded kickoff of the day — Caboose launched one skyward, headed for Jersey Boy who continuously shouted "I DON'T HAVE IT!" but in the end making the catch and running it upfield. Nice one, JB!
In the end, it was the skins team that scored last to win by one with no time remaining. Great fun — hope to do it again soon!
Tune in for Jolly Ball in a couple of weeks. It should be a blast!
WH