ANNA MARIA – The youth flag football winter season came to a close March 10 with the three championship games played at The Center of Anna Maria Island. Of the six teams that played, only three would be named the victors.
In the eight-to 10-year old league, HSH Designs came out on top with a 39-16 victory over Cool Today.
Cool Today’s Peyton Hovda had two rushing touchdowns in the game and was named the league’s male MVP for the season. Hovda also completed a two-point conversion reception for his team.
The league’s female MVP, HSH’s Savanna Coba, caught two passes, one for six points.
In addition to being named Most Improved Player, Noah Rigney made a catching touchdown, along for an extra point, for HSH Designs.
Cale Rudacille was voted the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award for the season.
Bailey Cain scored two points for Cool Today with a two-point play. Teammate Chad Nunez made two catches in the game.
Earning the win, Connor Samblis made a rushing touchdown for HSH Designs. Charlie Neri, in the quarterback position, recorded three passing throws.
HSH’s Chase Signor made a touchdown catch to add to his two additional receptions in the game.
Contributing to the offensive game for HSH Designs, Sterling Holiday finished the championship game with three grabs.
Ugly Grouper took home the big win against Slim’s Place in the 11-to 13-year old league.
Slim’s Place’s JM Feeney scored a rushing touchdown and was named the male MVP. Gabriella Gilbert had a running score herself for Ugly Grouper. Gilbert was voted the female MVP for the predominantly middle school league.
Despite the loss, Jaxon Rush caught the football for a touchdown, along with five other big catches. Ben Rigney made a nice catch for Slim’s Place.
With four rushing touchdowns for the win for team Ugly Grouper, Ashton Hovda can be seen as the championship game’s MVP.
Jackson Zoller made four critical receptions for the Ugly Grouper offense in addition to scoring two points in a conversion play. Teammates and brothers Mikey and Frankie Coleman both had catches of their own in the game. M. Coleman had a one-point conversion to add to his team’s scoring.
Ugly Grouper’s scoring was made complete with a touchdown by Brennan Gunter.
Additional league awards went to Matthew Hennesey as the Most Improved Player and Jack Mattick receiving the Sportsmanship award.
In perhaps the most anticipated youth flag football game of the season, Hashmark Sports took the field against MuniPlan.
Playing without their second-round draft choice, Blake Balais, the league’s Quarterback of the Year Tuna McCracken was missing a key target. Despite the deficit, MuniPlan put 19 points on the scoreboard with rushing touchdowns by McCracken.
MuniPlan’s offensive action was spread across the roster with two catches by Tyler Brewer, Morgan Horesh and David Daigle. McCracken caught the football for a single statistic in the game.
In their big win, Hashmark Sports’ Ian Godefry, voted league Most Improved Player, made threw for three touchdowns. Team MVP in the game could be given to Shawn Balvin with five total catches, three for touchdowns. Balvin scored an extra point to add to his game statistics.
Nate Costello, league MVP, and Chance Howard also each scored a touchdown and extra point.
Hashmark Sports’ Noah Costello had two sacks in the game, with brother Nate marking a single sack.
Defensively, Alex McCauley’s interception was a big part of the team’s win against the number one seed team for the championship.
Cole Carter was bestowed the Sportsmanship award in the award ceremony that followed the final game to end another youth flag football season.
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