Photo: Abe Schwadron
Midway through the flag football season, the top tiers of each league have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Flukey one-win teams have fallen by the wayside, and tough matchups have exposed squads we thought were contenders as petty pretenders. This week, we present midseason awards in addition to our weekly game recaps. Numbers before the teams represent The Post’s power rankings (denoted by a #), and the NUIM website’s mathematical standings (in parentheses). Our rankings will be updated Friday, so check back for that.
Purple League Recap
#4(3) Pike Garnet 19, #5(7) Sig Ep One 0
Pike’s much-improved pass rush, aided by the return of speedster Dan Pfeffer, anchored a defense that gave Sig Ep 1 fits all game. Whether they are a championship-caliber team though remains to be seen. Pike should be able to close out the season with another shut out against Lodge. Pike’s offense continued to click and will keep them in any game from here on out. Sig Ep 1 can kiss their top-5 ranking goodbye, but is athletic enough to be a headache come playoff time.
(2)Sig Ep Two 12, #3(6)Delt 7
A week after Sig Ep 2 made its debut and could muster just 6 points against Tha Squad, one of Purple’s cellar dwellers, they pulled a major upset by beating Delt. At halftime, Delt held a 7-0 lead, but a couple big interceptions forced by Sig Ep’s defense flipped the field position battle and set up a big win. Sig Ep’s Cameron Zick guaranteed a victory during a pre-game meal at Rollin’ To Go. We thought he was joking. Apparently not. The lingering question coming from this game: Is Sig Ep 2 the real deal, or have we simply been overrating Delt based on reputation?
White League Recap
#7(6) Sigma Chi 28, #8(22) Lady Pirates Fastpitch Softball 0
This matchup flew under the radar, but it featured two teams in our top 10. But instead of being a great game, Sigma Chi found their groove and asserted their authority. Clearly motivated by a poor showing in week one and a week two forfeit win, Sig Chi came out firing behind QB Wade Askew. The Lady Pirates looked like real contenders, but QB Bill Lotter can only do so much by himself — contain his running lanes and the offense shuts down.
#4(1) EQ Ballers 28, #5(16) Evans Scholars 0
Highly anticipated as the game of the week, the Ballers made quick work of the Scholars, burying ES with a lightning quick pass rush and an opportunistic secondary. Scholars’ QB Dan Niemiec felt the pressure all game long, and threw three interceptions. The Ballers took advantage of great field position and a disorganized ES defense to pile on the points, and as the new #1 in the NUIM power rankings, this team is making its case as a legit title contender.
(13) Steph’s Brists 6, (20) Matthew Stafford Infection 6
The Brists, formerly the #1 team according to the NUIM rankings, had trouble containing MSI’s QB Mike Roche for the most part. But their defense came up with a couple of key stops, including a fourth down play where SB stopped Roche just shy of their 20-yard marker. In the end, neither team converted their lone extra point try and time didn’t allow for the overtime session. What did we learn? Neither team has top talent, but both play stingy defense and will play you tough until the final whistle.
Midseason Awards:
Abe Says:
On MJR: MJR split off from Coleman and the Panty Raiders this season, and led by the Rybak twins, have become a real threat in the Purple league. A surprising win over Pike in week two put them on the map, and their stock couldn’t be higher right now.
On Delt: For three weeks, I gave them the benefit of the doubt based on previous results and reputation. But with two straight losses, it’s clear they just aren’t the same this season.
On his Championship pick: Pike may have stumbled against MJR, but with a full, healthy roster, they are the only team that can compete in a shootout with OE. Assuming their D can be decent, Pike have a title shot. But OE’s confidence and creativity will be too much.
Ross Says:
On Ryan Coleman: The guy is like Brett Favre, always wavering on whether or not to play the next season, and then coming back and dominating the league once he does. While not as quick as he used to be, he’s still the smartest QB in purple league and his ball fakes drive defenses crazy.
On Rob Brown: Brown is potentially the most athletic player in purple league. In Pike’s option offense, he provides the dangerous element at running back and controls things from the middle linebacker spot on D.
On his Championship pick: The rosters may have changed, but history says these two will meet in the finals for the third straight year. Look for OE to get better as the season goes on and after recruiting a former college corner and an ex-high school long snapper, OE finally gets over the top.
Ross Says:
On Old Balls: Don’t be fooled by the name, Old Balls is for real. Their quarterback has blazing speed and an arm to match. They’ve put up more than 20 points each of their first three games and have yet to allow a point.
On Raymond Cantrell: He might not be surrounded by the best supporting cast, but Cantrell has the athletic ability to take Delta Chi further than most expected. Typically a team that wins at least one playoff game, Cantrell will have to put together a couple of huge performances to reclaim their status as a Top-10 team.
Abe Says:
On his MVP pick: The obvious choice is Andy Bank, the Quakers’ QB. But Jared Wendorf is the quarterback on the #1-ranked team based on NUIM’s mathematical standings, and has engineered an offense that’s outscored opponents 98-0 through three games.
On YoMama’s All-Stars: I know their one loss was at the hands of the defending champs, but the YoMama’s offense has only been able to muster 6 points in each of their first two games. Rumor has it they are revamping their offense to incorporate wingbacks, which could help or could be a complete disaster.
Dunno how you can predict anyone other than Coleman and Bank as the MVPs for the two leagues. Both Teams are dominating and without those players they would be garbage–mediocre, probably still pretty bad.
“Jared Wendorf is the quarterback on the #1-ranked team based on NUIM’s mathematical standings, and has engineered an offense that’s outscored opponents 98-0 through three games.”
You do realize DU is currently 110-0 through three games?
DU has also played arguably the three worst teams in white league. Beckwith is right though. You have to be crazy to pick anyone other than Coleman and Bank for MVP
MVP – Keith Goldner QB/PIMP
I agree with the above MVP pick for purple, and Abe is right on with the white MVP. I don’t quite see either of the championship games for white happening though.
EQ Ballers just doesn’t have the (relative) athletism to keep up. Aside from their stud safeties, they’re just slow and thick. Decent squads put up gawdy numbers until the postseason (lookin’ at you ass quote or quatch or whatever).