ANNA MARIA – The Center gridirons were buzzing last week with the start of another fun-filled flag football season. With a record number of youth players, topping more than 150 kids between the ages of 4 and 13, the fields were illuminated both Monday and Tuesday night to kick off the season with jamboree scrimmage games.
The new season welcomes back Tyler Bekkerus to The Center after more than 10 years since his departure. His much-awaited return brings back the spirit
of when the adult flag league was first co-created by Bekkerus as The Center’s former assistant athletic director.
As the new recreation director, Bekkerus kept the games running on time and settled into his new role as the adults took to the field for the first time this season on Jan. 12.
In the first game of the night, team Luxury Services dominated the football field against team Gulf Drive Café. Playing four on five, Gulf Drive struggled to stay in the game, but fought to the very end.
Rusher Jasmine Muldoon made two receptions and was credited with a single sack. Muldoon’s constant pressure on the Gulf Drive QBs caused a sack and helped her team capture their first win of the season.
With six passing touchdowns, teammate Tim Holly found the endzone four times for 24 points and Sequiel Marintez made two TD receptions for 12 points.
Marintez’s big game included one interception and three points in extra-point conversions.
In addition to Marintez’s interception, Luxury’s quarterback, Chase Richardson, made three interceptions while playing on defense, including running an interception on Gulf Drive’s extra point attempt into the endzone for two points.
Offensively, Jonathan Soultatos and Dustin Tomacho bolstered their team’s efforts with extra points. Soultatos made five important catches in the game with a single reception by Tomacho.
On the other side of the football, Gulf Drive Café’s Jacob Freda scored two touchdowns and made eight receptions in the season opener.
Credited with one scoring pass, Steven Pavina made seven catches on offense and one interception playing defense for Gulf Drive.
Adding to the team’s scoring, Gabriel Derosia put a point on the scoreboard with an extra point.
Despite the score differential, team Gulf Drive Café made its mark on the field, setting the tone for the rest of the season.
Sun Scoreboard
Jan. 13
Adult Flag Football – Week 1
Luxury Services (1-0-0) 51
Gulf Drive Café (0-1-0) 19
Moss Builders (1-0-0) 49
Ugly Grouper (0-1-0) 0
The Banks Home Lending Team (1-0-0) 22
Solid Rock Construction (0-1-0) 19
The Briley Mortgage Team (1-0-0) 37
The Sandbar (0-1-0) 33
