ANNA MARIA – The stage was set at the beginning of the youth flag football season for volunteer coach Ryan Moss and his son Mason Moss to sweep the championships in both youth flag leagues.
The task was not an easy one. The Moss Builders teams each had their worthy opponents, challenging the veteran coach and his teams every step of the way.
At the end of last Tuesday night’s youth flag football playoff action, Moss Builders were the victors in the championship games in both the 8- to 10-year-old and 11- to 13-year-old leagues at the Island’s community center.
In the younger league, Moss Builders faced Prosper Bradenton in the semifinal game, defeating the underdog team by seven points. Solid Rock Construction defeated Beach Bums in a close one to move them on to the final game of the season.
Solid Rock Construction and Moss Builders spent the entire season at the top of the ranks. Despite the two passing touchdowns by Solid Rock’s QB Van Havell to Colson Mendiola and Mckenna Darak, the top-notch team could not capture the big win.
Isaac Roadman supported his team with a big catch. In addition to a TD reception, Roadman’s teammate, Darak, scored a point after attempt (PAT) and finished the game with four catches.
Mendiola and Havell connected for three total receptions in the two halves of championship play. Team support and big plays came throughout the season by Solid Rock teammates Nixon Conner, Matthew Darak, Braylen Briggs and Obi Roadman.
Impressive statistics were recorded by the younger Moss Builders team last Tuesday night. With Mason Moss at the helm playing quarterback, the team took the first of two championship games for the Moss Builders sponsor.
Throwing for 15 completed passes in addition to four touchdown throws and three extra point tosses, Moss led his team to victory.
Moss’ targets were Aidan Guess and younger brother Miles Moss, each with three catches. Miles scored two points with successful PATs.
Teammate Turner Worth had an extra point catch, in addition to receiving a touchdown throw from Mason Moss. Moss Builders’ Austin Guess topped the charts with three connections with Mason for a total of 18 points in the 27-15 final game of the season win.
The Moss Builders team’s season success came with the offensive and defensive play of Andre Harwood, Gabrielle Bodnar, Blake Bodnar and Carson Long.
Team Nissan of Bradenton was the championship team’s semifinal opponent in the 11- to 13-year-old age group play. Winning by 10 points, Moss Builders went up against the tough, top seed Blalock Walters squad in the big game. Team Blalock advanced to play Moss Builders after their 15-point win over team HSH.
The final game of the night was action packed and in the end was a two-point ballgame, with Moss Builders taking home the win.
Coming into the game as the top-ranked team, Blalock Walters knew the arm of Ashton Hovda would keep the game within reach, if not take his team all the way. With three passing touchdowns, two to brother Peyton Hovda and one to Liam Proud, Aston and the Blalock squad came close.
Teammate Jackson Zoller sped down the gridiron for six points, taking the football into the endzone. Cale Rudacille, with two critical catches in the game, scored an extra point for Blalock Walters, helping to keep his team on the heels of Moss Builders.
Mazie Zoller and Mattox Caseman wore the Blalock Walters jersey proudly during their team’s winning season and made key plays for their team all season.
Once again playing quarterback, Mason Moss helped his team win the final game of the night. Moss threw three touchdown passes against the Blalock defense, hitting Greg Jordan each time.
Jordan and Moss connected 11 times for a total of 21 points, including three total extra points. Moss hit his other target, Luke Winsper, twice to make positive offensive yardage.
The cherry on top in his dual league play this season was Moss’ rushing touchdown in the final game of the season. Taking the football into the endzone, Moss added six points of his own to the record books.
The 11- to 13-year-old championship Moss Builders team chased the season leader, Blalock Walters, all season with the entire team playing at the top of their game. Matthew Winsper, Austin Guess, Bella Roadman, Addie Guess, Joey Suebert and Maddie Darak played hard and fought hard all season, helping to make team Moss Builders champions.
The adult flag football games were canceled last week due to rain, delaying the championship game to a date to be determined. Adult indoor soccer play continued as scheduled, with the championship game on Thursday, March 17 at 9 p.m. at The Center.
Sun Scoreboard
Tuesday, March 8
Youth Flag Football – Semifinal Playoff Games
8- to 10-Year-Old League
Moss Builders 33
Prosper Bradenton 26
Beach Bums 25
Solid Rock Construction 26
11- to 13-Year-Old League
Blalock Walters 29
HSH 14
Moss Builders 27
Nissan of Bradenton 17
Youth Flag Football – Championship Game
8- to 10-Year-Old League
Moss Builders 27
Solid Rock Construction 15
11- to 13-Year-Old League
Moss Builders 27
Blalock Walters 25
Thursday, March 10
Adult Co-Ed Flag Football – Semifinal Playoff Games
Postponed due to rain
Adult Co-Ed Indoor Soccer – Playoff Games
Progressive Cabinetry 7
Gulfview Windows & Doors 21
Slim’s Place 6
Mi-Box 0
Sato Real Estate Bye
Beach Bums Bye
