Koa Sports Blog

- 12/5/09: Championship Games!
- 11/28/09: Last Week Before Playoffs!
- 11/21/09: Pre-Turkey Ball!
- 11/14/09: Mud Ball!
- 11/7/09: Perfect Day For Some Football!
- 10/31/09: Halloween Football!
- 10/24/09: Round 2 of Koa v. The Rain
- 10/16/09: Rainy Day For Football
- 10/12/09: Get Ready For Some Football!

12/5/09: Championship Games!
First it snowed. And then it snowed some more. And then it got muddy. And if it was possible, it got even muddier! But that’s football in December and for the Koa teams, it was playoff time. Nothing was going to stop these dudes. Game on!

7th & 8th Grade Game:

The 7th/8th Grade Division was first up on the playoff schedule and 6th seed Hokies were up against 3rd seed Terps. It was hard to pull off a pass in near white-out conditions, so both teams went to the running game, and thanks to the snow covered field, an all out slipping, sliding and slogging game. At the end, the Hokies pulled off the first big upset of the day with a victory over the Terps.

Next up was 5th seed Wolverines vs. 4th seed Hurricanes. The Wolverines found themselves a little short of a full pack for the playoff game and were no match for the Hurricanes who showed up with their full gale force and advanced to the 7th/8th semi finals with their victory.

In the first semi final of the day, the already wet and muddy Hurricanes were matched up against a fresh Tar Heel team who had a bye for the first round. The top-seed Tar Heels got right to work early, clicking on all cylinders to cruise past the Hurricanes and earn a berth in the Fiesta Bowl.

For the 2nd semi final the Hokies were slotted to take on the 2nd seed Gators. With the snow coming down even harder, the Hokies took a team vote and decided they were just too wet and cold to endure the conditions. So the Gators advanced straight to the bowl game.

Fiesta Bowl
This is the match up the networks wanted, #1 seed Tar Heels vs. #2 seed Gators. The teams split during the regular season, and the rubber match proved to be just as good as the other games. The Gators took a 22-8 halftime lead, but the Tar Heels soared back in the 2nd half to take an 8 point lead with 3 minutes to go. The Gators drove down the field and were stuffed three times inside the 5 yard line, but 4th down they scored to cut the lead to 32-30. A close, but failed two point conversion for the Gators ended their season. Tar Heel age and experience prevailed and they claimed the victory. Congratulations Tar Heels – 7/8th Grade Fiesta Bowl Champions!

5th and 6th Grade;

With eleven teams competing, the Koa 5/6th Grade Division, playoffs spanned two days and two weather patterns.

Game 1 pitted the 11th seed Terps vs. the 10th seed 3/4th Grade Wolverines, playing up. If you weren’t wearing gloves, this one was a nail biter. The Terps played incredibly, and the game came down to the wire. But in the end, the Wolverines prevailed.

In Game 2, the 5th/6th Grade Wolverines (6th seed) prevailed over the Wildcats (7th seed) setting up a Wolves v. Wolves scenario for Game 3. The 3rd/4th Wolverines hung tough, but came up just short sending the older pack to the semis. The 4th Seed Gators brought their A-game, and beat both the 9th seed Spartans (Game 4) and the 8th seed Ducks (Game 6), after the Ducks had upset 5th Seed Buckeyes in Game 5.

For playoff day 2, the sun came out, and the snow turned to mud—and lots of it! The day began with the 3rd Seed Hurricanes taking on the Wolverines. The 1st half was super tight, but the Hurricanes held to win, and advanced to their 2nd game. Their second game was a rematch with the season rival Tar Heels. The Tar Heels were the #1 seed going in, and the only game they had lost all season was to the ‘Canes. History repeated itself, and the Hurricanes stormed into the next round. In the next 5/6th Grade Division matchup, the #4 Seed Gators, had to take on the #1 Seed and undefeated Hokies in order to stay alive. The Gators, headed by Coach Greg, were on a mission. Their running game was incredible, and they came from behind to snatch the win and advance to the bowl game. Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl saw the Gators matched up against the Hurricanes. Both teams came into the championship already muddied with a couple of games under their belts for the day – the Gators had already played 1 game, and the ‘Canes had completed 2. By now the field looked more like a monster truck show than a gridiron. The score was tight up until the last few minutes of the game, when the Gators put it into overdrive. This team played 4 games in 2 days – these dudes were wet, cold, and bruised – but they were determined. Congratulations to the 5th/6th Grade Gators on the Orange Bowl championship!

3rd and 4th Grade Division:
In the 3rd and 4th grade divisions, Game 1 came down to the wire. The #3 seed Gators and the #2 seed Tar Heels battled it out in the snow and ice – this one was epic! The defenses played incredibly, as did the offenses, but the Gators took the upset victory against the Tar Heels and advanced to the championship game. Outback Bowl After just a few minutes of rest, the battle toughened Gators were ready to roll, and the ‘Snow Bowl’ began. The #1 seed Terps were fresh and fired up to show what they were made of. Some of the awesome Koa parents even brought out their tent to keep the players dry. This game also was a nail biter and in the Bethesda blizzard conditions, these guys had to give it everything they had. But the Gators showed lots of grit, and came from behind to pull off the big win. Congratulations to the 3rd and 4th grade Gators – the Outback Bowl Champions!

This was an awesome premier season for the Koa Flag Footballers! Stay tough in the off season and be sure to check out the cool pics from the playoffs!

11/28/09: Last Week Before Playoffs!

It’s not Thanksgiving weekend without some football and the Koa Flag Ballers represented! Although the ranks were a little smaller than usual, the energy and spirit on the field made up for the numbers. Some new matchups and a couple of combo teams made for another awesome day of flag.

7th & 8th Grade Games:

Hurricanes (35) vs. Terps (34):
In this highly contested game day opener, the Terps came up just short vs. the Hurricanes. Coach Holden relayed the scouting report in the locker room – stay close to Jodie, but it proved a tough job for the Terps defenders. Over on Offense, Brodkowitz threw for 3 TDs, even though his receivers had a few drops. His Brady-like strength and accuracy is getting Brodkowitz noticed. Making the QB look great, O’Lone went up high for 2 outstanding TD catches and Fink added to the points with his long TD run.

Hurricanes’ Eustice led the D with 2 sacks and turned in a rushing performance that was the beast. With a 65 yard TD score “AKA Alstott” (look him up – 6 time pro bowler!) Eustice fired up the ‘Canes. Friend had 2 big plays on the bubble screen, 1 for the TD. Dettelbach may have been a little late to the game, but he came on strong with a nice 5 yard gain on a fumbleruski. Showing he’s no turkey, Lewis came up with 4 TD’s running and 1 passing and Tishe had 2 huge catches, with the last one to seal the win for the Hurricanes.

Hokies/Gators (38) vs. Tar Heels/Wolverines (14):
It was a Koa Flag Combo Deal for Bannockburn Game 2 and the Hokies teamed up with the Gators to go against a Tar Heel/Wolverine alliance. The HG’s started strong with Papillo’s big interception as middle linebacker on the 2nd possession, bringing the ball to the 15 yard line. Taking advantage, Hansan moved to the back of the end zone for the big TD catch and the 1st score of the game. Likin’ the feelin’, Hansan scored the 2nd HG touchdown as well. Brinkman also made the moves and was open all day, getting 1 reception. In a stylish conversion, Pflieger utilized the reverse pass to outwit the THW’s.

Showing his athleticism, Babers made his TD run from the Wildcat formation. The HG’s put up their last TD with Lega’s flea-flicker to Kohn who scored on a short run. Showing their ability to adapt quickly, the Tar Heel/Wolverine combo looked cohesive from the start. Aherne made a TD run on the THW’s first drive. He came back late in the 2nd half with another THW touchdown run. Finelli’s nice hikes from the center and awesome attitude, plus Fiorini’s great blocking made things work on the O. Shook put on the finishing touches with his 40 yard QB draw. K McGreivy played hard today and just didn’t let up. On the other side of the ball, Jost knocked down a key 2 point conversion and Warren had a sweet rush on the QB. As the Tar Heel/Wolverines left the field, L McGrievy told Coach Tony, “We’ll bring it for playoffs next week!”

5th & 6th Grade Games:

Spartans (14) vs. Ducks (33):
Clearly working from their pre-game Turkey Day Feast, the Ducks were a huge force in their game vs. the Spartans. On their first defensive play of the day, Howard pulled down a big interception. Then the Ducks O-Line went to work. Howard was on a roll and scored 2 TD’s for the day, with McBeath in there with his 2 rushing TD’s. Showing excellent possession receiving, Kyle grabbed 5 big catches in the game. Floam got to the back of the end zone for yet another Duck TD reception, putting them way out front with a 33-14 final.

Over in the Spartan camp Sorcher pulled off a highlight reel interception and the team was stoked as Chen applied the pass pressure. Cady had a 40 yard reception and Sherman put up points with his big TD. Crystal’s 40 yard TD run was a crowd-pleaser and Schaengold sealed the deal with the 2 point conversion. Holding down the O-Line, Cowie hung in there for the Spartans. The Spartan effort was awesome, but not quite enough to overtake the Ducks.

Wolverines (21) vs. Gators/Terps (0):
5/6th Gators teamed up with the Terps today to take on the Wolverines in what proved to be a tough matchup. Friedman was the man, protecting QB Wagman at all costs, and Wagman was strong in his position. Also strong on Offense, Cola ran for important yards and Zucker’s 4th down run gave the team the all important 1st down. Fox was a tackle machine and Susskind’s defense stopped the Wolverines at some key moments. Pulling off the pick 6, Zuckerman continued the Gator/Terp defensive efforts.

For the Wolverines, the Defense was unstoppable, keeping the Gator/Terp combo team from putting a point on the scoreboard. Shorr had a stellar blitz that was backed up with the team’s solid D. Voyta performed like a pro at QB and also scored one of the Wolverine TD’s. Adding to the scoring stats, Vondas threw an awesome TD pass. Even with several regular players out, the Wolverines showed their teeth and came out on top with a 21-0 final.

Hurricanes (7) vs. Tar Heels (0):
Another shutout at the Wayside fields in the Hurricane v Tar Heel matchup. In this low-scoring game, the Tar Heels showed off their defensive prowess, and according to Coach Barrington, awesome teamwork as well. B. Rabovksy snagged MVP with a slew of nice runs. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels held their opponents to only 1 TD.

One look at the score of this Thanksgiving matchup and you know it as all about the D! Howes showed ‘em how – with his flag pulling that kept getting better as the game moved on. He NEVER STOPPED until the flag was off. Robinson had a great defensive back play with 2 knockdowns and Rosenblatt’s presence was huge in the middle. Playing to impress, Wenger’s MVP performance starred his powerful pass rushing. Said Coach Rappaport, “This dude would not give up until the play was over!” Scoring the only points in the game, Rosenblatt got the numbers on his nifty run off the option, while at QB Rappaport made great option plays and showed major poise in the pocket. Levine ran options with patience and power and Robinson went for the big extra point with an insane dive into the end zone.

Hokies (24) vs. Buckeyes/Wildcats (8):
W inning the best new name of the day the “Buckwilds” (5/6th Wildcats paired with the 5/6th Buckeyes) took on Coach Fraiser’s Wildcats. On Buckwild D, Mungai-Barris defined flag pulling and Shiffman’s tackles put the Hokies on notice. Also showing impressive D for the day, Bhatia put in a solid performance. Over on the Buckwild Offense, the Brady Brothers were the cornerstone of the O-line with their effective blocking. Running great routes, Fields made sweet moves and Jobst got great yardage. Johnson also ran awesome routes, while Valencia went for the superstar catch. Putting up the numbers for the team, Susskind captured the TD and sealed the deal with a 2 point conversion.

Playing with an almost complete team the Hokies were ridiculous on both sides of the ball. Coach Wolff dubbed Dolan best all around player for the day -- his personal highlights included an interception and a 2 point conversion. Also showing strong play, Sebastian had 2 TD passes and an interception, while Dierman held his own with another TD and 2 point conversion. Clearly seeing the ball all the way in, Lutes and Gaines showed great hands with key catches – Gaines’ for the TD! Miller was also working overtime for the Hokies with a blocked pass and 2 TD’s, contributing in a big way to the Hokie win.

3rd & 4th Grade:

Gator/Wolverines (13) vs. Tar Heel/Terps (0):
In the 3rd shutout for the day, it was a double combo deal on the field. The 3/4th Wolverines and Gators combined to make the Gatorwolves – a beast that wouldn’t be tamed vs. the Tar Heel/Terp union. Defense was the name of the Gatorwolf game and these guys were relentless! At safety, Goodson was simply solid, keeping passing to a minimum and Shugarman was a defensive force to be reckoned with. Papermaster was a flag pulling machine while Coach Sussman named E Miller, “a defensive wrecking ball.” S Miller showed phenomenal blitzing and Sherman was another superb safety. On the scoring side, Jorss was awesome as the dedicated center and C Miller at wide receiver was a deep threat, keeping the Tar Heel/Terp D on their toes. Highlight reel entry of the game – Goodson with his 1st career run EVER!

Coming up against a powerful opponent, the Tar Heel/Terps put forth an impressive team effort, especially on Defense, keeping the hungry Gatorwolves to only 2 TD’s. Showing great athleticism especially on the day after the biggest meal of the year, Friedman had an awesome run and stellar catch to get yards for the team. Each team of this Tar Heel/Terp combo is in fighting shape and ready for playoffs!

11/21/09: Pre-Turkey Ball!

7th & 8th Grade Games:

Tar Heels (64) vs. Hurricanes (46):
In Game 1 at Bannockburn, touchdowns were the theme as both teams put up huge numbers on the scoreboard. For the Tar Heels, scoring opportunities were spread throughout the offense with Aherne, Clarke & Steinhorn all contributing. Steinhorn threw for over 300 yards and ran for 3 huge TD’s. Late in the 1st half, Clarke streaked in for 6 more. Keeping the ‘Canes at bay, Aherne & Steinhorn each denied extra points. Holding down defense for the Hurricanes, Finelli was the master. Aherne’s key one handed interception with 6 seconds left in the half ,”sealed the deal” according to Heels Coach Donald.

Hurricane Coach Tidball got writer’s cramp from recording so much action from his team today. Dettelbach had a phenomenal day with 4 TD runs for 1, 3, 25 and 40 yards each. Pile on a TD reception and 4 interceptions. Add up his stats and you get 240 yards rushing, 5 TD’s and 10 for 18 with 117 yards passing. You know this dude ate his Wheaties! But this wasn’t a one man show. Carmen pulled down 2 receptions of his own and Cowan had two 2 point conversions on top of 3 huge sacks. Andrews wasn’t going to be denied. His day included an impressive TD run, 40 yard TD pass, 120 rushing yards and a tackle. With Friend at Wide Receiver, the Hurricanes rounded out an impressive offensive force, but the Tar Heels still managed the win.

Gators (44) vs. Tar Heels (26):
Tar Heels had it tough on the gridiron today for the Gator rematch, with the Gator O-line giving the Heels’ defense a lot to handle. Aherne had a standout moment with his interception for 6 Tar Heel points. On offense, the Gators forced the Heels to pass short, and Finelli made a number of impressive short catches to get in some key yards. But according to Coach Malloy, “It just wasn’t enough today.”

The Gators were excited about their rematch with the Tar Heels. Three keyplayers who were out for the 1st game were back: Hanson, Geiger & Fitzgerald. Immediately feeling the positive effects of the full 9 nine squad back, Hanson scored on the Gator’s 1st & 2nd possessions. QB Pappillo (aka “Tebow”) showed mobility in the pocket all day, combining short & long passes with handoffs to backs Dunne, Gazdag & Kohn. The Gators were up 38-12 at the half. In the 2nd half both teams put points on the board, but the Gators D held on key possessions, notably a Lega interception in the end zone that stopped a Tar Heel drive at the ONE YARD LINE. Goldman was stellar as the Gators’ rusher, doing a great job of containing the Heels QB. On the other side of the ball, the Gators were never stopped & scored on every possession!

Terps (32) vs. Wolverines (26):
Only one TD made this difference in this close middle school match-up that went to OT. For the Wolverines it was all about team effort and a lot of heart. Gilson’s stellar snaps led the way for Patel’s 83 yards passing including a laser TD pass to put the Wolverines on the scoreboard. Hannegan also put up the numbers with his 30 yard TD catch. Coach Tidball reports the McGreivys’ effort was outstanding and Shook was simply brutal. Jost made his mark with 6 tackles for the day. MVP goes to Nalls with an interception and 40 yard TD, a TD run, and stats of 137 rushing yards and 76 passing yards.

The Terps may have had a slow start, but they came back to beat the Wolverines in an OT squeaker. Monague was tenacious on D and had a big deep catch while Brokdowitz came with arm and 4 passing TD’s. This was a great team effort and the Terps came back from their early 0-12 deficit. Clayton had an awesome catch on his TD & then produced the game-tying 2 point conversion. In OT, Grody had a HUGE 4th down diving tackle. Cohen caught the last three TD’s for the Terps and they were all deep. Said Coach Holden after the win, “What an amazing effort, everyone sacrificed their bodies and made big plays!”

Terps (26) vs. Hokies (21):
Loving the sweet taste of a comeback victory, the Terps were back for more in game 2. This was another nailbiter and according to Coach Holden, “Another great TEAM effort.” O’Lone joined the lineup and had a monster game with a long run after a clutch catch for the TD. Keeping up the momentum, O’Lone continued with a bomb TD pass, and a key interception. The newcomer, Granader showcased his soft hands and ability to pick up yards after the catch. His 2 point conversion proved to be key to the Terp victory. Clayton impressed with the huge game-winning TD catch giving the Terps the 26 they needed to take their 2nd win for the day.

The Hokies gave the Terps a run for their money in this tight matchup. Sussman put Pflieger in at QB and he was simply awesome. Combining the QB talent with Hall’s great running from the wildcat and the Hokies had a solid game plan. M Brinkman was Mr. Dedication, playing despite a broken wrist. The nominations are in: Coach Sussman’s nod goes to Smith for “Best Blocker in the League.” Just ask the Terps!! Langerman was a beast on D, with a great pick to save a Terp touchdown. And you just couldn’t keep those Brinkmans down today. J Brinkman was injured before the half, but came back stronger than ever in the 2nd half.

5th & 6th Grade Games:

Ducks (32) vs. Terps (8):
The 5th/6th Terps showed a lot of improvement today in their matchup against a strong Ducks team. On D, Green had a sack and 2 tackles for loss of yards and Correa had a great defensive day with 2 more tackles for a loss. Coming off an injury, Zucker showed high energy with 4 huge defensive tackles while Friedman and Wagman also made a great effort on the Terps D. Cola was solid at QB and the Cola/O’Lone combo included the TD pass and reception – can you say Supersize?! Silder was impressive on both sides of the ball with his great blocking offense and 2 defensive tackles. Maino made an impression on the Ducks with his interception and 2 point conversion making the Terps final score 8.

Showing their depth today, every player on the Ducks contributed to the 48 points on the scoreboard. Alt, McBeath and Howard each had a TD pass. On the receiving end, Kevin’s TD was 60 yards, Oswald went for 24 yards, and Kyle had a 20 yard TD reception. Barnes’ 2 point conversion run was sick. Kyle and Kevin added a sack apiece to their day’s work. Also on D for the Ducks, McBeath and Jervey each pulled down awesome interceptions. The Ducks got it done with a 48-8 victory over the Terps.

Buckeyes (40) vs. Ducks (34):
Game 6 at Bannockburn pitted the Buckeyes against the Ducks. This was an awesome game and it was hard fought by both sides. For the Buckeyes, Palermo did a tremendous job distributing the ball and making all his teammates better. He also stepped up the intensity on D. Johnson had a great all-around game with his ferocious D, critical blocking and explosive plays with the ball in his hand. Jobst scored two TD’s and did double duty at QB as well. With a dominant performance, Anderson broke away for the Buckeyes’ last two scores. He played stalwart defense and made huge blocks, “per usual,” according to Coach Holden. It was close, but the Buckeyes prevailed 40-34.

This was game #2 for the day for the Ducks but they had no intentions of rolling over for the Buckeyes. McBeath put up the big numbers yet again with 178 yards passing and 247 yards rushing. His 3 TD runs gave the Buckeyes something to think about. Showing they still had plenty left for this game, Kyle produced 80 yards receiving and Kevin rounded things out with his 2 TD receptions for 10 yards. Although the effort was strong, it wasn’t enough to fight off the Buckeyes.

Spartans (40) vs. Terps (0):
The Spartans dominated in the contest against the 5th/6th Terps. Defensively this team was tougher than ever, not allowing a single point from the Terps. Cady was a beast with 8 tackles and Schaengold was a powerful force on D with 3 interceptions, 2 for TD’s. Sherman had a rushing 4 yard TD and Lavan impressed with his TD run. Defying the percentages, Rice and Crystal each scored on the conversion, solidifying the Spartan victory.

Coming off some down time between games, the Terps had the tough task of revving up again for match #2 of the day. But they put on their game faces and gave it a shot. Defensively, Green was a machine with 4 tackles, 2 for the all-important loss. Friedman and Cola came through with 3 of their own tackles and Correa showed great effort with his 2. Executing a sack, Wagman also showed his defensive talent. At QB, Maino did his best and at Wide Recieiver he made some great screen plays. Cola also did double duty at QB & WR. At Running Back, Zucker had 5 carries for 40 yards as the Terps tried to advance the ball. Silder also showed great effort as he ran effective routes on offense.

Tar Heels (28) vs. Wolverines (8):
For the first Koa game of the day the Tar Heels arrived raring to go, and they did with 28-8 win over the Wolverines. The scoring was a team effort as Bonos, R Rabovsky, Rotter & Melnick all contributed to the TD total. Melnick, R Rabovsky, and Halle added to the bonanza, each with a 2 point conversion. B Robovsky sealed the deal with his game winning pass putting the Tar Heels in the win column.

The Wolverines showed some awesome skills on the gridiron against the Heels. Vondas had some amazing throws under intense pressure while Feldman came through with two really nice catches and runs. Keeping the running game going for the Wolverines, Kolodin ramped it up for several impressive runs. Over on D, Maser showed stellar defensive play and Smith proved yet again that he’s a great team player. Voyta did some nice scrambling and led the offense to its only touchdown with Quam making the highlight reel TD catch deep in the corner of the endzone!

Tar Heels (36) vs. Wolverines (28):
The Tar Heels continued their winning streak for game 2 with another strong team performance. Showing some great defense, the Rabovksy’s and Halle were impressive. Adding to their TD totals for the day, Melnick threw for a TD and Rotter and Bonos both scored, giving the Heels a 2 and 0 record for the day!

Playing like the pack they’ve become the Wolverines put up impressive numbers vs. the Tar Heels in this high scoring match-up. On the line, Evans was a defensive machine and Manogue was brutal. Goodson effectively shut down the deep threat and Janis was such a blitz maniac the Heels had to man mark him! With his speed, Cohen’s corner back blitzing was outrageous as he outwitted the Tar Heels offensive blockers almost every time. Managing the game like Peyton Manning, Ward led the offense to perfection. Geisler got fancy with a one handed catch and Janis had 2 TD runs. Cohen also contributed to the scoring with 2 key 3rd down catches.

Gators (20) vs. Wildcats (12):
In this classic clash of the Titans, former Gator standout Susskind opened up the scoring for the Wildcats with an 80 yard QB draw to the right side of the Gator D. During the post-game interview Susskind was heard saying, “Coach Greg, I told you, you should have used me at QB.” Gators were without starting QB Cohen – out with a separated middle finger. Coach Greg ran a hybrid of plays with QB Leventhal calling the plays from his wrist. “Our Carolina play worked to perfection,” said Leventhal. Weltman was priceless with his hands again and ran the QB throwback to perfection. Zuckerman was an absolute force on both sides of the ball scoring 2 30+ yard TD’s. Promisel was a beast at center, making sure the opposing defensive line was always at bay. Stein played the safety like a magician & at cornerback Horton was a force.

Over in Wildcat Country the team was stoked after Susskind’s dramatic opening TD. “Mr. Versatile” Brady scored a rushing TD for 45 yards and backed things up on D with 2 solid QB sacks. Valencia had 2 big catches for 25 yards. Setting up the ‘Cats for its TD’s was Farr with powerful blocking on the outside.

Gators (36) vs. Hurricanes (27):
In this battle from the South each team was eager to represent their respected Fla. Territory! With an undermanned squad, Gators had to suit up star Cohen & he defied the odds, making tackle after tackle only using 1 hand. Susskind was sick after his amazing game 1, so Sims and Weltmann lined up behind center to run the offense to perfection. Zuckerman was again a force that could not be stopped, running for over 100 yards. On the backfield, Stein was a beast forcing the ‘Canes to only use their option offense.

The Hurricanes may have looked a category 1 at the outset of this matchup, but roared to a category 5 in the comeback game of the season. Levine used his flat out speed to get to the corner and make plays while Wenger ran the pitch play to perfection, keeping the Gators D on its heels. Taking a cue from the pro league, Kennington, using the ballet classes, tip toed down the line for some much-needed Hurricane points. Howes was the bomb at flag pulling and Rappaport had pulls that were crucial in the clutch. Turning things around on defense, Rosenblatt had the critical interception to get the ‘Canes the ball that would lead to the tying TD. Contributing to the big turnaround, Prutting’s slippery running got the much needed yardage for the late in the game run. Samit brought great passing and strong up the middle running for extra points that would make the difference in the big comeback. Robinson’s all star day included a 2 point conversion catch over his head AND the tying TD catch. Rappaport’s awesome TD pass and Goldsmith’s great runs up the gut for a TD and the extra point all added up to a standout performance by the team.

3rd & 4th Grade Games:

K-2 Buckeyes (16) vs. 3rd/4th Tarheels (8):
Hey all you sports fans, take note – the K-2 Buckeyes have arrived & they are ready play. Today the team learned how to block and they played the best D ever – sticking with their man the ENTIRE game. Dobinns had 2 huge plays on defense and Keegan pulled off a great pass deflection. Over on offense the Buckeyes put up 16 big ones on the scoreboard. Sole-Soli had an amazing run and Keegan stepped up with 2 really long runs. Bhatia scored a TD plus made the 2 point conversion. According to their Coach, these guys are starting to really listen more and it’s paying off. They continue to get better every week!

Defense was also big for the 3rd/4th Tar Heels today and Schwartz was a big asset with his good rushing and tackling. Iyer was also a strongman and managed a sweet QB sack. Picking up impressive yardage numbers today on offense were Isaacs and Edelson each with a catch for 10 yards. Jensen pulled down 2 catches for 25 yards and a TD!

Terps (12) vs. Gators (6):
It was the battle of the reptiles for Game 6 at Wayside. The Gators came out with cold-blooded focus, as Jorss and E Miller had perfect snaps all day. C Miller ran beautiful routes while Papermaster put in his own running time and pulled down a ton of great catches. Milzman got the job done with his sweet short yardage runs. Once again, S Miller showed his versatility with awesome runs and a gutsy sack of the Coach QB! In the heartbreak play of the game, Shugarman’s stellar TD run was called back, leaving the Gators with a lone TD at the game’s end.

The Terps looked mighty impressive in this matchup. Ozatalar kept the Gator Offense struggling with his 3 tackles on the 3rd down, while Smith’s tackle on the 1 yard line was one for the highlight reel. Vance did his part as the Terps All Pro Pass rusher in a performance worthy of LT himself. Robbing the Gators of a scoring opportunity, Friedman wowed the fans with his 100 yard TD on the interception. Silder put up even more numbers with a spectacular 80 yard touchdown run of his own.

11/14/09: Mud Ball

After a week of rain, the Koa fields were Mudsville! But the flag footballers came to play and nothing was going to stop these guys from putting out their best stuff. Week 5 was down & dirty – check out the highlights!

7th & 8th Grade Games:

Hurricanes (12) vs. Hokies (6):
The Hurricanes stormed all over the field and came off with the win today. Tough D was the key and Cowan and Cohen showed how with 6 tackles between them. Solid rushing by Andrews (2 rushes—20 yards), Eustice (15 yards) and Cowan (3 rushes – 20 yards) propelled the ‘Canes. Dettelbach was untouchable with 2 TD’s and a solid wildcat performance and Kohl was a wonder to watch as he hustled all over the field. Friend had an outstanding reception and Carmen passed for 45 fierce yards. Kalin decided to heat things up with a 40 yard run that set up the game winning drive.

Coach Sussman summed up the Hokies performance this way, “Great team D!” Impressive defense was the name of the game and all the Hokies D-livered. Offensively the team made some outstanding plays. Brinkman almost QB’d a winning drive and had a solid day. Hall looked good out of the wildcat. Great catches were Langerman’s contribution and Smith had unbelievable blocking in this first of two for the Hokies.

Wolverines (26) vs. Hokies (14):
The Wolverines were howling today against the Hokies. QB Shook had NO turnovers, scored 1 rushing TD and showed outstanding leadership on the field. Reporter’s notebook: Peyton Manning prodigy! Solid on the O-line, Gilson allowed no sacks, and no rushes, then in Warren Sapp-esque style, pulled off 2 sacks at Defensive Tackle. Patel was Mr. Versatile with great blitzing and a killer TD catch. Jost has become the perfect wildcat player with good runs and solid D to boot. The Wolves lucked out with a great midseason pick-up in Hannegan who cuts up the field on his runs. McGreivy = great rushing plus Kyle’s great tackling and Luke’s awesome knockdown! There’s even an Ed Reed look-alike – check out Nalls’ TWO pick 6’s.

Playing tough the whole game, the Hokies did their best to fend off the Wolverines. Brinkman showed off a good arm with accuracy and depth. Today’s great hands belonged to Pflieger who had a career day with over 100 yards receiving! Smith showed remarkable poise at the quarterback position, contributing to solid Hokie numbers for the game.

Terps (22) vs. Wolverines (6):
Laying it all out in the mud, the Terps showed tons of great effort in today’s game vs. the Wolverines. Mackie showed off his good hands & precise route running on his TD catch. And in the main ring . . .Monague had a circus 1 handed, overhead, falling back grab for a critical 1st down. To that he added 1 interception. Jorss had another dominant defensive performance, contributing strong blocking. Coach Holden noted that this was a total team effort with EVERY Terp making big plays on both sides of the ball!

Word’s out – there’s a QB controversy brewing and Patel is the man to watch. He showed up with the big guns and a great fastball and he has poise in the clutch at the QB position. Wolverines could count on Gilson with another solid O-Line performance and Kyle who is showing great aggression. Hannegan, looking good in the wildcat, had a sick Brady Quinn jersey. Shook showed team leadership in the middle. Piggy-backing on his game 1 performance, Luke’s blocking was outstanding. After a brief suspension during their first game, Warren came back to the Wolverines a new man with a 100 yard performance!

Gators (36) vs. Tar Heels (44):
Well folks, this may have been the game of the day: Gators vs. Tar Heels and it was on OT Thriller! Potential Super Bowl preview! The Gators’ own Goldman was no doubt the meanest tackler on the field. Papillo stayed cool in the pocket all day and found the receiver almost every time. “Get it Done” Dunne made outstanding runs around the end. But the highlight reel play of the day has to go to Gazdag who pulled down the greatest interception with 1 minute on the clock to tie the game.

The Tar Heels provided plenty of drama themselves. Wolff made a key 1st down play and Fiorini made great blocks all day. Loving to take control over the game when the team needs him, Steinhorn stepped up and made things happen. On Defense, Paretzky showed his importance to the team with his field leadership. The Tar Heels pulled it off in OT!

7/8th Gators (50) vs. 5/6th Hokies (20):
The Gators didn’t let a close loss the previous game get them down. Goldman turned into a QB today with his laser passes, but continued his prize role as team sackmaster. Gazdag turned out a solid D and had some nice catches across the middle. Kohn had 3 picks for TD’s as the Gators put up the numbers on the board. Papillo gave up the QB position to catch. Nice work – TD catch and he got a pick for TD too! Tremendous speed on runs and sharp patterns all added up to extra points and TD’s as Dunne brought it home for the Gators.

For the Hokies, “Mr. Do Everything” Tennant did a great job at center, RB & WR and another dual threat at GB & RB, Sebastian played tough throughout the game. The Master Sack Machine, Rossi, was on the Gators’ QB all day – what a great effort! D’Esposito came to play and executed a couple of great catches & a nice run for a 1st down while Grody had the key 1st down to set up another Hokie TD! Dierman was THE Catching Machine with impossible 1 handed grabs and defensive plays. Putting up the numbers for the Hokies, Lutes had 2 huge catches, 1 for a TD on a 2 point conversion. And speaking of huge, Defensive Player of the Game, Dolan pulled off 2 huge interceptions; 1 of them all the way down to the one yard line! Also tough on Hokie D, Gaines had 2 awesome defensive stops on the 3rd down and Warren had a great defensive day all around the field.

5th and 6th Grades:

Buckeyes (41) vs. Wolverines (32):
Game #1 at Wayside kept the fans on edge. A high scoring match up thanks in part to Buckeye Palermo’s huge all around game with 3 TD passes. He was all about efficient QB play, continually buying time outside the pocket to find the open receivers downfield. Buckeye offense also featured Triple Threat Paul, breaking up plays for 2 explosive TD’s – 1 via the air and 1 via the ground. His tremendous blocking set up big plans for his teammates. Johnson stepped up on D with a boatload of tackles. Leave it to Anderson to pull off yet another sack & countless QB rushes. Today he showed elite speed on a 50 yard TD run. Not to be outdone, Bhatia displayed all the characteristics of the great running backs – change of direction, speed & vision. How about that huge 50 yard TD run!

For the Wolverines Voyta was out to wow the crowd. He was 10 for 17 with 186 yards and count ‘em 3 TD passes! Vondas piled up the yards with 105 on 6 receptions and 2 TD’s. Right behind him, Yoon pulled down 4 receptions, chalked up 78 yards and topped it off with a TD. No slouches on Wolverines D today either. Kolodin had 2 pass deflections and Olinger’s blocking was the beast. Also delivering on D -- 12 key tackles from the mighty Smith.

Wolverines (37) vs. Spartans (34):
Wolverines came back even stronger for their 2nd game of the day as Yoon got the job done with an intercepted TD, a QB sack, a TD reception and 60 yards receiving. Smith showed a lot of heart on the field and Voyta completed 2 TD passes and totaled 120 passing yards. Vondas took up right where he left off in game one with a TD run, a 2 point TD run and 90 yards passing. With a 2 point conversion and 3 pass deflections Olinger made is his mark and Kolodin showed the Spartans who was there to play with a TD run, TD reception and 70 total yards for the game.

What a game for the Spartans! Cowie was incredible at offensive center and Schaengold threw 2 TD’s. The Spartan Defense was awesome led by Rice, and Chen kept putting on the pressure. The Crystal interception was the key to the awesome 2nd half, where the Spartans came back from 14 pts down. Sherman was incredible with over 100 yards rushing and Webster’s 3 TD receptions brought the Spartans to within 3 points of the Wolverines.

Gators (29) vs. Tarheels (36):
In the Gator zone today Leventhal was on fire. The combo of Speed Demon & Wildcat Master resulted in a spectacular TD catch and standout play. Blocking Master goes to Fox, as he stayed under center protecting QB Cohen. Weltmann was a deep threat – he kept the D guessing and was a marked man all game. Susskind fired things up with a momentum shifting interception and Stein racked up another TD catch. Shout out to Jake who played through the 1st half with a head injury – he was a beast on the field.

For the Tarhills, Rotter brought incredible intensity to the game. He had a HUGE run and great D all day. Attention to detail was B Rabovsky’s specialty on defense blocking and Halle’s leadership skills, added to his great D, pulled the team forward. Brody was just plain great all around. With Melnick’s management skills and R. Rabovsky’s great offensive blocking the Tarheels pulled off the win by 1 TD. All around animal on the field – Bonos!

5th/6th Terps (6) vs. 3/4th Wolverines (20):
Defense defined the Terps today and Friedman’s great D got things going with 2 drive-stopping tackles. Over at DL, Silder notched 2 solid tackles and Correa saved a TD with a timely defensive tackle. Blocking a pass on the 4th down, Correa also forced the turnover on downs. Zucker came up with the goods defensively by stopping a drive to end the 1st half. Cola was Mr. Versatile with successful stints at QB, WR & DL. He managed 3 tackles on defense and ran the ball in for a 50 yard TD. O’Lone showed what he was made of; a tough injury didn’t stop him from great pass completion on offense, using the long run on a reverse play. At WR, Green had a fantastic 10 yard run on the reverse. Maino took it up a notch at QB with 2 completions for 1st downs.

They may be the Wolverines but Wildcat was in their blood today. Between Wildcat Master Janis and Wildcat Perfectionists Sherman and Manogue there was no wasting time with a hand off. Showcasing Janis’ speed and Sherman and Manogue’s perfect execution, these Wolverines went to the Wildcat with fantastic results. P.S. They each had an interception on a 2 point conversion attempt. Geisler was the blocking expert, keeping QB’s Cohen & Ward safe behind center. Cohen ran the wildcard offense and produced a TD fade and Ward was a deep threat during his QB time. Safety expert Goodson held the defense in check and chalked up an interception for the day.

Ducks (14) vs. Wildcats (20):
McBeath got things moving for the Ducks with an outstanding performance – 70 yards rushing and 80 passing yards for 2 TD’s! Great snapping by Woofter contributed to the offensive yardage and Jervey was a maniac. Blazin’ Barnes was on fire with 3 tackles and 1 sack, plus a 15 yard reception and Kyle was just as stoked with 6 tackles and 2 receptions for 40 yards. Keeping the Ducks D afloat, Kevin nailed not 1 but 2 defensive sacks! Adding 40 yards to his stats Perez captured 3 receptions and is in a race to the record books with Howard who was 3 for 6 with 45 passing yards.

The Wildcats stalked the Ducks and captured the win for the day. Kramer had good play on the line and Valencia caught a reception for 10 yards. Playmaker Markowitz pulled down 2 interceptions to set the ‘Cats up for their touchdowns. Susskind pounced on his opportunities and produced 2 TD’s – one of them rushing and Berenato carried the ball 50 yards for his TD. Sealing the deal, Caudron executed the 2 point conversion with a 5 yard reception.

Wildcats (0) vs. Hurricanes (7):
Coming off a tough and exhausting 1st game win, the worn out Wildcats had to face the fresh Hurricanes and their gale force for game 2 of the day. But these guys executed Coach Fraiser’s game plan perfectly and pulled off a huge defensive day. The Wildcats may have been tired, but true to their name, they approached their prey decisively and pounced as soon as they were in close range, holding the ‘Canes to only 1 TD for the day.

The Hurricanes put on quite a defensive show themselves. Goldsmith & Rappaport were maniacs with flag pulls and ball knock downs all over the field. Prutting was a machine on the D Line! Playing great middle linebacker, Robinson knocked down balls and then scored on an extra point. Also showing versatility, Rosenblatt had an awesome sack and scored the day’s lone TD with a great run. Over on offense, the option play was the name of the ‘Cane’s game. Back from an injury, Kennington ran the option like the pro he is and Levine ran it like Tim Tebow --with patience and power. Howes showed his precision timing running the option beautifully up the gut, and Wenger performed with the speed and athleticism needed to pull off the tricky option play.

3rd and 4th Grades:

3rd/4th Wolverines vs. 5th/6th Hurricanes (score TBA):
In this David v. Goliath story unfortunately Goliath prevailed. After (5th/6th Gators Star QB) D. Cohen dislocated his finger on a gutsy cornerback blitz, B. Cohen and Ward again had to step up and lead the wildcat offense for the Wolverines. Janis was a force in the run game and at times was just a blur on the field. Sherman unfortunately had to miss the 2nd game of the double header to defend his swimming world record. Geisler was a blocking maniac keeping Goliath from beating B. Cohen and Ward down behind center. Last but not least, Goodson played safety better than Rod Woodson forcing the Hurricanes to rely strictly on their ground game. In the end however, the faster, bigger Hurricanes prevailed.

Hurricanes continued their storming season led by Levine who was great at QB with his speed and finesse. Rappaport’s tremendous TD catch and dive into the end zone was a sure fire crowd-pleaser. Samit the Laser Passer fired off a scoring TD pass and Goldsmith continued to put up the numbers with his TD run. Robinson was the deal-sealer with 2 extra points not to mention his super defense. Howes showed awesome rushing and pressure on the QB and he pulled off a great catch & run in the middle of the field. Keeping up the Defensive pressure Rosenblatt’s interception for a pick 6 was outstanding. Sick running up the gut and fierce flag pulling was what Wenger brought to the game. Coach Rappaport reports that Prutting exhibited such great running on the reverse he “had a hard time keeping his pants on!”

Tar Heels (16) vs. Gators (12):
Coach Tim was mighty proud of the Tar Heels as they proved today they’ve learned Man Defense. Rubinstein had incredible D coverage and Schwartz also stepped up on defense. This team made catching look easy today with Sobey-Strick and Iyer’s stand out performances. Jensen displayed terrific leadership on and off the field. After a big fall, Edelson showed his toughness and this dude’s running was stellar. Isaacs good blocking aided hugely in the Tar Heel victory.

The Gators put up impressive numbers against the winning Tar Heels. Papermaster’s great catches advanced the Gators down the field into scoring position. Shane had a couple of tremendous runs and Cameron had a spectacular touchdown!

3rd/4th Terps (22) vs. 2nd/4th Buckeyes (20):
The last game of the day kept the fans at the field as the Terps battled the Buckeyes in one of the closest match ups. For the Terps, Vance had a nice run to start the game and Smith had some amazing catches. Pulling out every trick in his bag, Coach Sussman called for the flea-flicker and Gordon performed. Touchdown!! Not to outdone by a coach, Silder made a TD catch and backed it up with a 2 point conversion catch. Throughout the game, Kim played outstanding D and in the 2nd half, Friedman pulled off a great TD catch. As the time expired, Rush made the game-saving tackle on a 2 point conversion—can you say clutch player!!

The younger Buckeyes showed the older Terps a thing or two on the field today. Everyone was onsides, there were no penalties, and these guys came mighty close to taking down the upper grades. Catching was king and the crowns went to Mason with a TD catch, Joe and his great tip catch, and Jack with his good catch and great fake. Timmy also brought it today with phenomenal flag-pulling. Will’s great fakes kept the Terps off-balance time and again. And with two sick TD’s Teddy proved the Buckeyes are here to play! Coach Tim was stoked, “These guys are learning and improving with every game!” Bring it on!!

11/7/09: Perfect Day For Some Football!

As we hit week 4, the Koa Flag Footballers are taking things up a notch and the all around play is a fine thing to watch. Keep on reading for all of Saturday’s deets!

7th & 8th Grade Games:

Hurricanes (20) v. Wolverines (26):
Field Bannockburn hosted a nail biter today as the Hurricanes faced off against the Wolverines. In versatile play, Cohen pulled off a 60 yard TD reception, batted a 1st conversion catch, and tackled for massive yardage losses. “Those drills are really paying off,” Coach Tony commented. Eustice was right up there with an incredible 80-yard TD catch and the big QB sack. At the end of the 1st quarter, Kohl came through with a dramatic TD-saving tackle. Cowan continued his awesomeness with not only a 2-point conversion AND a long TD run, but racked up 8 tackles against the Wolverines. Friend was solid today with a key pass deflection showing this defensive back defines effective.

Wolverines were challenged mightily, but came up with the goods in the end. Gilson showed great blocking and kept good containment. The big defensive stop came in the opening 2nd half, with enormous pressure on the QB and a Jost pick 6. Offensively, K. McGreivy did a great job snapping the ball and developed good rhythm with the wildcat. When it comes to spacing, Nalls has it down, and his hitch route run was unbeatable. L. McGreivy adjusted to running the slant route well. Jost was on fire and faster than just about anyone there. His pick for a 2-yard return helped to calm the storming ‘Canes. Warren also displayed amazing running ability and great hands. Hannegan and Jost each scored on TD catches and Shook read the receivers perfectly, throwing a nice ball. He also did a great job rushing the passer.

Terps (14) v. Tar Heels (24):
The Terps saw a number of standout performances in today’s game v. the Tar Hells. Fink “The Blur” had a dominating performance, eliminating opposing pursuit angles everytime he touched the ball. Brodkowitz again displayed good decision-making and precision passing. He also showed the ability to jump over the D with an long TD grab. Besides breaking up a number of passes in the secondary, Cohen had the key 30 yard reception to get the Terps in the red zone late in the game!

Tar Heels Coach Malloy reports the team came out today and made plays! Finelli’s finest was at defense and Paretzky played his heart out. Going for the BIG 2 point conversion, Clarke added the numbers to the Tar Heels side of the scoreboard. Fiorini had 3 HUGE 1st downs to keep the team moving toward the end zone. And talk about a dude who showed up today – Steinhorn had FOUR key plays to keep the Tar Heels in the thick of things. Said Coach Malloy, “It seems to me every week this team makes improvements.” And like the rest of the Koa footballers, these guys LIVE TO PLAY!!

Hokies (18) v. Gators (36):
The Hokies showed the Gators they weren’t fooling around today as the first play of the game was a precision pick from Babers. Sustaining the opening momentum, M. Brinkman ended the half with his stellar TD pass. J. Brinkman came up with an outstanding TD run and pocketing a TD catch on a bomb, Hall added even more points to the Hokies scoreboard

The Gators mixed short passes, long passes and runs from the wildcat to score on the Hokies. Papillo started at QB and hit receivers Hanson & Geiger with laser throws. Hanson & Geiger took QB duty as well and with passing & running put points on the board. Fitzgerald was a scrambling machine and his runs out of the wildcat rounded out the well-balanced offensive attack. On D, Gazdag’s defensive pursuit was outstanding and “Too Tall” Oniani’s QB pressure produced drops and interceptions. The only thing Kohn dropped today was his front tooth that got knocked out after he made an awesome pass catch (wear those mouthguards dudes!!). Kohn continued playing (they found the tooth!) scoring a long TD pass and run and then came through on defense, getting a pick – all without that lucky front tooth!

Gators (42) v. 5th/6th Buckeyes (6):
Gators took on the Buckeyes for their game 2 of the day and continued to thrive on both sides of the ball. Multiple QB’s and RB’s scored, including Dunne & Gazdag on major 2 point conversions; a QB sneak and halfback pitch respectively. Hansan stepped up as a QB weapon and gave the Gators a sustained drive & TD. Play of the day -- 45 yard Papillo to Hansan bomb that put the game away!

For the Buckeyes, M. Anderson became the opposing QB nightmare on the gridiron with 2 sacks and tons of pressures. S. Anderson had a highlight reel driving tackle on the sideline and produced a great all around game on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Jobst got the Buckeyes on the board with a smokin’ 30 yard TD run!

5th & 6th Grade Games:

Wolverines (30) v. Ducks (14):
The pack came to play as the Wolverines showed their depth on the gridiron. Four, count ‘em four different players all scored TD’s in today’s game. Quam was primed and his hands were hot – a TD catch and an interception! Shorr and Vondas each scored and Voyta showed his versatility with a TD catch AND a running TD. In spite of all the scoring, Coach Dybalski was most impressed with the team’s “great D-Fence!!” (sic)

The Ducks pulled out all their stuff to counter the Wolverines and interceptions were their first choice. Perez and McKenzie each had key interceptions in the game. And McKenzie didn’t stop there – he threw a TD and executed the 2 point conversion to keep the Ducks in the game. Banres also advance the ball across the goal line for another conversion. In the dying seconds of the game, Bertozzi came through with a clutch TD to add to the Ducks total for the day.

Hokies (26) v. Gators (24):
Lots of action for the 5th/6th Hokies today. Defensively, Lutes made great plays all day and Tennant pulled off 5 key tackles to keep the Gators from advancing. Gaines had the KEY interception and consistently showed his catching ability to set up field position for the Hokies. Heisman trophy front runner had to go to Sebastian who threw bullets the whole day and sliced & diced those receivers. Warren scored big time on his 70 yard TD run, then wowed the fans with an interception deep in enemy territory. So who’s the man, the myth, the legend? Answer: Mr. Everything Grody – snapper, running back, wide receiver, and basic touchdown machine. The drama lasted until the very end. Dolan had what had to be the 2nd best catch of the day to set up the Hokie winning drive. Catch of the Year (game winner of course!) goes to clutch-player Miller -- he got it done with 5 seconds left on the game clock!

For the Gators, Cohen is nipping at those Jerry Rice TD stats as he took it to the end zone 4, count ‘em 4 times today and added big numbers to the scoreboard. So well all know there are 100 yards on the field (ok 120 with the end zones) and Susskind decided to get as much of it as possible for the Gators—his yardage numbers were off the chart. Fox went for the razzle dazzle with 2 key interceptions and Harich and Stein were both huge team contributors.

Hurricanes (6) v. Gators (14):
Hurricanes went pro today as they pulled the option play off the whiteboard and onto the field. Levine executed phenomenal options runs and Rappaport worked the options for an 80 yard TD. Samit’s throwing was off the hook! Defense was tight as well especially when Blitz King Rosenblatt stepped in (his rushing and Goldsmith’s were also da bomb). Robinson & Howes completed the ‘Canes Defense Package.

Game 2 for the Gators picked up where game 1 left off and the team showed its got stamina and heart. Cohen continued his scoring streak with two more TD’s for an incredible day long total. Stein sealed the deal for the Gators with his outstanding winning TD catch. Highlight Reel!!

Buckeyes (6) v. Wildcats (0):
Buckeyes met the Wilcats and this was a classic defensive match-up. One look at the score and you know the D on both teams was working overtime. This one was physical but the Buckeyes’ Bhatia still picked up a lot of tough running yards up the middle. Johnson was a phenom with a jump over the receiver for the breakup on a HUGE 4th down late in the game. Jobst had the key interception to set things up as the clock ticked down and Palermo scrambled in from his QB position for the game’s only TD.

For the ‘Cats, Markowitz had an outstanding day defensively with TEN solid tackles. Berenato made his mark with incredible rushing – no sacks! And no novice moves for the Wildcats – you should have seen Caudron’s 15 yard reception on a screen pass to dodge the Buckeye pressure. Someone’s been catching a little Manning to Bradshaw action.

Wildcats (20) v. Spartans (12):
This was game two for the Wildcats and the offense took over! Brady went for the yardage today with 2 receptions totaling 30 yards to advance the pigskin. Right behind were Valencia and Kramer with 1 rush for 10 yards each during their stints at QB. Markowitz was the man though with a total of 2 TD’s for the game – he pulled off 2 interceptions for TD’s plus 1 rushing TD as the QB. The rush master was Berenato who was amazing all day plus he produced a game highlight in the 2nd half with a QB sack.

Spartans came out tough and held strong until a couple of critical drops late in the 2nd half led to the ‘Cats comeback. Jerry Rice imposter Webster totaled up over 100 yards in receptions and showed the Wildcats he was serious today. The running game, however, was all about Sherman who led the team with his outstanding rushing stats!

Spartans (28) v. Terps (0):
Spartans came off a tough loss from game one with something to prove in game two. Thanks to outstanding D and a great team effort, they pulled out all the stops and put up the winning numbers. Once again Sherman led the team in rushing, while Rice nailed 2 brilliant TD pass catches. Cady was the “go to” dude on Defense – can you say 2 interceptions.

The Terps gave it their all against their re-charged opponents. O’Lone racked up 40 yards on a single long run that was a real crowd-pleaser. The game ended on Maino’s own 40 yard run where he was stopped at the goal line. This team is clearly ready to make its move next week.

3rd & 4th Grade Games:

Tar Heels (20) v. Wolverines (44):
Jensen was mos def da man for Tar Heels today, showing everyone how to GET IT DONE! Try on a 50 yard TD reception and 3 catches. Oh yeah, and did we mention that last catch was on a post pattern? And setting up the Tar Heels for a TD was Sobey-Strick with his standout 10 yard reception. Edelson scored the last TD of the day with a dramatic diving catch that’s a shoe-in for the highlight reel.

Over on Wolverines, Coach dubbed Geisler “De Rushing Master and a possession receiver.” Goodson was just too good as he deflected passes from the safety position – this dude was all over the field! Evans was assigned to clogging up the middle and he was just awesome while Sherman was Mr. Versatile scoring TD’s and preventing them. Cohen was a beast on defense with 2 sacks and 5 tackles!

Wolverines (24) v. 5th/6th Tar Heels (28):
Still hungry after game one, the Wolverines wanted more. Bring it on! Evans executed a nice 1st down reception and Sherman had a sick TD run. Goodson pulled off the 2 point conversion in traffic worse than dismissal at Mater Dei. Pick 6 powerhouse, Geisler did it AGAIN! Cohen’s arm was on fire, throwing 3 TD passes in the first half and following up with 2 more in the 2nd.

The Tar Heels put up a lot of numbers on the scoreboard and leading the way was Melnick with an impressive 3 TD’s for the day. Rotter was no slouch with his 40 yard TD, 7 tackles and 2 breakups. Over on D, B. Rabovsky was the man with vision and Halle, R. Rabovsky and Bonos were incredible. Props for all-around impressive game go to Brody. Tar Heels Coach Edwards summed it all up in his post-game interview – “Great! Great D! Great Team ball! Great Game! I love my team!”

Terps (26) v. Gators (6):
The Terps showed their stuff today with HUGE numbers. These stats are over the top: TD runs with off the hook yardage for Vance (80 yard run), Wagman (80 yard run) and Kim (65 yard run). Smith put up another TD with his 20 yard catch and Ozatalar sealed the deal with 2 one point conversions. Major contributors to the scoring were Friedman with his amazing 70 yard run, Rush’s10 yard run and Silder with a key 20 yard catch and run. You do the math – this team is smokin’.

Team work and versatility carried the Gators today. Everyone contributed and there were defensive tackles all around with C. Miller leading the way. S. Miller had a huge defensive stop and ran the reverse like a pro leaguer. Papermaster was the Master of the D! Every Gator had a catch today and Jorss pulled off a clutch 1st down catch on a 4th down. Milzman and E. Miller both had standout catches as well. Shugarman showed off his speed yet again with a rocket run picking up a big 1st down for the Gators .

10/31/09: Halloween Football!

Halloweens ghouls and goblins finally spooked off the rain and all the Koa teams got their game on today. Fierce winds tried to brew up trouble, but our footballers stood firm and the action was scary. Here are some Halloween Highlights!

7th & 8th Grade Games:

Terps/Wolverines (33) v. Coaches (36):
Welcome to the X Games! The action at today's match-up was incredible with the Terps/Wolverines making the Coaches dig deep for every scoring position. Manogue at receiver used his size to sky over the coaches and Jorss once again showed awesome versatility making huge plays on D, rushing the passes and in coverage. Slash Cohen shredded the defense from QB and the slot receiver position. Grody's coach is still recovering after Grody shook him out of his shoes! This epic battle was a nail-biter all the way.

Hokies (26) v. Tar Heels (52):
The Hokies' Babers wasted no time making his mark in today's game. First play of the day and we are talking 60 yard TD run! Brinkman was not to be outdone and chalked up a TD catch and run on a 4th and long. Hall moved the ball for the Hokies with his signature spin for a first down. Langerman managed an awesome pick and added a TD catch to the Hokie stats. The Tar Heels offense was clearly well-oiled today. We can't wait to add the coach's highlights to the blog as soon as we get them. Check back soon!

Wolverines (34) v. 5th/6th Buckeyes (26)
Playing up today, the Buckeyes brought their game! Anderson persevered with a performance that included 2 long runs after the catch that he took to da house. Speed-meister Shiffman showed serious speed with his 50-yard dash touchdown run and Jobst showcased his talent for making his opponents miss and then outrunning them! Highlight reel entry goes to Paul whose interception brought the Buckeyes back late in the game, capping off another phenomenal all-around effort. Solid D was the key for the Wolverines today and Hannegan was the man with 15 tackles. Patel showed both teams what passion is about, laying it all out there on the gridiron. MVP goes to Brooks-Warren with 3 TDs, 217 rushing yards and 43 passing yards! Now there's a scouting report.

5th & 6th Grade Games:

Hurricanes (20) v. Wildcats (18)
After last weeks rainout, coach Frasier's Wildcats were antsy to get onto the field and primed to score. Susskind got the first TD with an awesome fake sweep and Berenato couldn't be touched with his 40 yard sweep and TD! Valencia had a stand-out 5 yard reception, and Farr got the 1st down to set up the Cats for their final TD. Hurricanes D got tough today. Wenger and Kennington both executed key QB sacks. Prutting had a spectacular flag pull and Rappaport pulled off an awesome late game interception. Goldsmiths rushing numbers were out of this world including a 20 yard run. Running TDs were the play of the day for the Canes, Levine, and Samit. Lastly, Ben scored a passing TD and nailed the extra point.

Wolverines (26) v. Terps (6)
The Wolverines had excellent execution from all players. The Wide Receivers ran smokin' routes, the QBs had great throws and the defense was flawless.

Terps picked up a double header today and in game one Cola QBd and pulled off 2 sacks. Friedman made his mark today at wide receiver and Maino was fierce on the field with his long TD run. Correa and Wagman were unstoppable epic reception action!

Gators (35) v. Terps (8)
This was game 2 for the Terps and they were still fired up. O'Lone had a stand-out long TD reception and Maino got the Terps on the scoreboard with a TD run that ate up the field. Colas 2 sacks kept the Terps D pumped.

As for the Gators, Fox's running was insane and Cohen, Leventhal & Weltmann ran the Wildcat to perfection and put up 5 TDs between them. Hortons stellar interception ended in a classic pick 6 and Jake added another TD to the total. Susskind was on fire with his 40 yard run to the goal line. Promisel was the one to watch on D with a big QB sack.

Tar Heels (30) v. Spartans (14)
Spartans were all about execution today and the team worked as a unit out on the field. Crystal had spectacular catches on 2 TD passes! Watch for these guys to make a move next week! For the Tar Heels, Melnick, Rotter & R. Rabovsky each put up the numbers with TDs all around and Brody sealed the deal x2 with his 2 point conversions. Bonos was sick at middle line backer and Halle couldn't be stopped with a 49 yard pick 6 and his awesome work at center.

Hokies (20) v. Ducks (12)
It was Halloween and the Hokies were scary good. Tennant had amazing field coverage on offense and defense and QB Sebastian, a.k.a The Gunslinger, completed every pass he threw. Lutes took over the D with key tackles throughout the game while Dierman broke up 3 passes leading to a 4th down turnover. Sack Master Grody notched 2 sacks plus 4 receptions and Connor had 2 crucial running plays setting up 1st downs. Rossis 25 yard interception for TD had the stands screaming and Despositos 2 point conversion rocked. Late in the 4th, Warren's 30 yard run set up the winning drive then a Miller pass to Dolan for the TD catch sealed the Hokie victory.

The Ducks stepped up their D this week and Woofter accomplished the most intense blocking of the day. Barnes held his own knocking out 9 powerful tackles. For the offense, McBeath racked up the numbers. Check it out: 75 rushing yards and 100 passing yards. This dude pulled off a rush TD and topped it off with a pass TD. McKenzie had the clutch TD play of the day!

3rd& 4th Grade Games:

Wolverines (28) v. Gators (0)
Gators rocked the field with their mechanics. Shugarman's defensive moves were on target today and C. Miller was unstoppable up the middle (we know it's flag folks, but C. Miller thought he was playing at FedEx Field!). Jorss multiple catches kept up the momentum for the Gators. Papermaster a.k.a Pape was rockin' at free safety, where he was roaming the field. E. Miller put the moves on at running back, and S. Miller was all about D-E-F-E-N-S-E with several flag pulls. Wolverines just couldn't be beat though. Evans brought it in typical fashion on defense, while Geisler was a rushing maniac and Cohen perfected the wildcat TD. Ward got the 2 pt. conversion and then added a corner blitz just to wow the fans. Goodson was all about the D with an interception and 2 pick 6s. Sherman got fancy with a reverse and a fade TD and Manogue executed the risky screen pass to perfection -- another TD!

Tar Heels (23) v. Terps (8)
Terps racked up the yardage numbers on the field today. Friedman led the stats with a 20 yard run and Gordon was right behind with a 15 yard catch. Smith converted his 10 yard catch into a Terps TD. Vance had 3 catches in his debut Terps game and Rush caught 2. Over on D, Silder couldn't be stopped 3 tackles plus a pass deflection! As for you, Tar Heels fans, your coach didn't get his notes in before the Koa blog deadline so check back since your highlights will be up soon!

K-2nd Grade Game:

Koa's K-2s FINALLY had a day without rain. And the players all arrived, ready to go! Their day kicked off with skills and drills, focusing on catching with their hands (not their bodies), and running passing routes. They caught on very quickly, and as one little guy put it, "We had enough of the drills and wanted to play ball." In no time flat they were on the gridiron making plays. The highlights of the day go to the Buckeys, who completed quite a few 40 yard passes. Wow! Where is ESPN when you need em?

Back to top of page

10/24/09: Round 2 of Koa v. The Rain
Last week the Rain won, but this week Koa won.  At least until 2:30 pm.  The Rain couldn’t beat Koa on its own, so it called in Thunder and Lightning.  And Koa had to tap out.  But not before most of our games were completed.

Here’s a recap of the scores and highlights.  If you don’t see an athlete’s name on the blog this week, you will!  Lots of football left in the season. 

7th & 8th Grade Games:

But in the end, the Hurricanes pulled it out. Klain started the scoring for the U by intercepting a 2 point conversion and taking it to the HOUSE!  Friend had a highlight catch off of his hat (you had to be there!) for a gain.  And Eustich made some solid plays all the way around. 

Look for a rematch of this game!

Tar Heels (46) v. Wolverines (26):
The Tar Heels were on a mission today, trying to keep the Wolverines down! Steinhorn and Aherne have been turning 6-4-3 double plays on the NL/Koa squad all fall, and now are an awesome QB/Receiver tandem - same results, new field. Poulson nearly had a pick 6, taking an interception back to the 5 yard line. The Tar Heels couldn’t have played so well without the utility play of Wolff and Pretzky.

On the Wolverines side, Warren’s feet were on fire today.  He must have run for at least 200 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Wow!  The McGreivy brothers returned for a second season (no late contract negotiations here!), and played tremendous ball. 

Rumor has it the Wolverines will be practicing all week for a strong Big 10 showing on Saturday.

But in the end the Gators did it. Fitzgerald was solid scrambling, while staying poised and hitting many receivers. Kohn had a few killer receptions, and was scrappy on the O-line. When executed properly, the Gators zone defense seemed to puzzle the Terps, rumor has it that he, Cohen, and Brodkowitz (Terps) were up late the night before, did they even eat a decent breakfast? GAME OF THE DAY!

5th & 6th Grade Games:

Buckeyes (18) v. Hurricanes (18):
What a game!  Can you say, “tie.” Oh no! No overtime! On the Buckeyes side of things, Palermo had three touchdown passes, showcasing his outstanding arm and pinpoint accuracy. Anderson was relentless on his rush, repeatedly getting to the QB. As Coach Tighe put it, “my boys played their hearts out until the very end and I’m proud of their effort.”

But Coach Kevin displayed some true grit, bringing his team back into the game. With the 40 yard catch by Rappaport, Coach Kevin was able to keep the momentum going. And then Kennington scored the touchdown to tie the game. “They just wouldn’t quit!” said Coach Kevin, “and we’re looking forward to the rematch!”

Gators (28) v. Wolverines (8):
This game was a battle throughout. The Gators eventually pulled it off, but not after a fight. Lead by Coach Greg, the Gators executed their passing game plan almost perfectly. Cohen hit Weltmann on the same play deep three times – we’re talking DEEP here! Susskind brought his usual defensive magic. During the 2nd half, it was the Sims, Leventhal one two punch that really pushed the game. And the utility play of Horton and Stein made the Gators a very tough team!

Voyta had a major gun behind the center, throwing spiral after spiral. The second half was ignited by the interception of Vondas, and the field coverage by Kolodin and Shorr. Coach Drew said it best: “These kids have heart – they just wouldn’t go down without a battle. Keep an eye out – we’re bringing it next week.”

Tar Heels (28) v. Ducks (14):
This game was all about small ball. Coach Barrington bought out the “A” game with his boys, and coached a hard fought game against Coach Adam. The Tar Heels brought it hard with some trick reverses during the first half, and kept the Ducks scoreless going into halftime. Melnick, Rotter, and the Rabovsky twins all put together some incredible plays. “That kid Rotter has some serious wheels,” said Coach Cobra, who looked on from the sidelines. But at halftime Coach Adam got his boys together and worked on some talking drills, and they came out and put points on the board. In the end, Halle and Bonos helped the defense out, and the Tar Heels took this one. Perez had 2 TDs and 80 yards rushing for the Ducks, and the hustle from Alt and McBeath were awesome.

Hokies (20) v. Spartans (6):
Sebastian was the deciding force in the Hokies victory over the Spartans. “He was threading a needle out there with his passing,” said Coach Wolff.  But he got some serious help from his receivers. Dolan laid out for one and somehow held on for a TD, and Dierman and D’Esposito were al over the field. Grody’s wheels on the ground helped open the game up, and he really got moving in the second half. Tennant also covered the field, making things difficult for the Spartans.  Sorcher came out ready to play, while Crystal and Schaengold seemed to have no problem transitioning from baseball to flag football season.

Terps v. Wildcats (No Score – Rained Out)
The game where Rain won, and Koa lost.  Well, not the rain, but the rain and the thunder.  We look forward to seeing this played out soon!

3rd & 4th Grade Games:

Gators (26) v. Tar Heels (20):
The Gators took this one, but it was a hard fought game. The Miller triplets represented – C. Miller had a 60 yard touchdown run, E. Miller made a killer grab of a ball that no one thought was catchable, and S. Miller was all over the field making plays.  Jorss a/k/a Sparkee was our only girl on the field … and she brought it! Equipped with her Under Armour gloves, she made it happen. Papermaster brought some much needed height to the team, which really opened things up for Coach Nick. And Shugarman made a key sack. 

On the Tar Heels side, Edelson made a 25 yard reception to set up a touchdown. Jenson then had a 30 yard touchdown, and this game was brought close! Coach Frasier a/k/a De Fraze said, “We were so close to pulling this game off I could taste it!”

Wolverines (34) v. Terps (6):
The Wolverines took this one, but the 3 rd grade Terps showed some serious spirit. Coach Greg did a masterful job with his Wolverines, hitting Sherman deep twice during the game. Ward helped out with some serious wheels, and probably had a 100+ yard day.  Goodson a/k/a Mr. Defense brought it hard, and was getting into Coach Steve’s head. “Goodson wouldn’t let me get in my groove,” Coach Steve said. But let’s not forget that the Terps are a predominantly 3rd grade team, and they showed major spirit. Just when it looked like the Wolverines were going to shut them out, the boys put a drive together and scored. “We’ll show those fourth graders what we can do,” said one of the players after the touchdown. In the second half the Wolverines went to kid QB, and Cohen took over completing pass after pass. 

Back to top of page

10/16/09: Rainy Day For Football
… rain, rain, rain. Since when does it rain this much in October? Where are the sunny, crisp fall days? Enough misery!

Unfortunately, we need to cancel this week’s flag football due to the field conditions. Even though we normally will play in the rain, it’s just too wet. The refs would need canoes to go up and down the field.

Check the site for schedule updates. The game will be made up either by a double header or at the end of the season. Oh yeah, stay dry!

Back to top of page

10/12/09: Get Ready For Some Football!
What’s up Koa Flag Footballers! We know your heads are switching from baseball to football – the training camp report is awesome! The outfitting dude got us some pretty sweet uniforms – ACC and Big 10 jerseys. REPRESENT! Make sure you check out our weekly blog so you can catch up on the deets about the latest game. Plan on seeing your name up here one week! So the coaches are psyched…the gridiron’s ready…we’re just waiting for the whistle. Be ready to get your game on. See you Saturday!

Back to top of page