The adults take the field: Flag football lights up the nights at The Center

After giving the field at The Center another week of rest, the adult co-ed flag football league played its first games of the season Thursday night. Many veterans of the island's league continued to show their love of the game, while newcomers to the field showed why they will be a force to be reckoned with.

The first game of the night, in the pouring rain, saw a new look for Team Tyler's Ice Cream. For the first time ever, the team rostered five Satos: team captain Lexi Sato, oldest brother and quarterback Jason Sato, long time Center powerhouse Jason Sato and playmaker Ben Sato. Also returning to the field for Tyler's Ice Cream after a long time away is Laura Alderson, who finally decided to join her husband and veteran player Rob Alderson.

The family crew faced the new team from Blake Medical Center, captained by Chase Bennion. This team of co-workers made it a close game, losing only by one touchdown. Blake Medical Center may be the team to watch this season with three standout receivers. Bennion hit his receivers for 150 passing yards in the game. Van Kinder led his team in receiving yards, closely followed by Mark Baker and Chris McCorkle.

With the lifting of the rain, the second game of the night was underway with Team Anna Maria CrossFit matching up against Progressive Cabinetry. The score does not reflect the potential threat Team Progressive Cabinetry brings to the league. Missing two of its key players Dina and Pat Calvary, who were at their wedding rehearsal dinner game night, the team just did not click as usual and was not the powerhouse the league is used to witnessing. The Shaughnessy family and Chris Culhane held their own despite the absence of the Calvarys.

Learning the rules of the game, CrossFit's big man Sean McCarthy paired up with Sean Flynn to prove why size does matter. Creating a wall with speed in front of their opposition should create an interesting scenario on the field throughout the season. The wheels of Jesse Brisson, with 60 receiving yards and one touchdown, and the arm of quarterback Clay Spangler made the difference in the game. Alan Conley and Ed Moss were each also credited with a touchdown to help with the team's victory.

The third game of the night was the battle of the strong arms and solid leadership of the team captains. Leading Team Moss Builders is Ryan Moss, who finished the game with 160 passing yards completing 12 of 16 throws. Team Captain Don Purvis completed five of ten passes for 185 yards, pushing his team to the win by six points.

For Team Moss Builders, the speed and agility of Andrew Terman and Chad Woods lit up the field for a total of 120 rushing and receiving yards. Meanwhile, the always-solid football by Mike Gillum, with 110 yards for himself, showed why he is a standout veteran player. Each of these players contributed a touchdown for Moss Builders.

Jon Moss, Beach House Real Estate's most versatile player, placed an immense amount of defensive pressure on brother R. Moss. With each snap of the football, J. Moss exploded down the lane to grab R. Moss' flag. Credited with two sacks, one safety, 40 passing yards, and 45 receiving yards, J. Moss is a true threat on the field.

Purvis put up the critical statistics for his team Thursday night. In addition to the outstanding passing yardage, Purvis gained 55 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Along with his wife Leah Purvis, who put up her own running yardage in the game, Jesse Griffin, Chris Sullins and Shawn Kaleta, this team should continue to rise to the top of the league rankings throughout the season.

The final game of the night found four former flag football championship teammates together again on Team Mason Martin. Five years ago, Team Captain Frank Agnelli, Eric "Big E" Gledhill, Zach Schield and Monica Simpson, played together with the Shaughnessys to capture the championship trophy. Sprinkling in the talents of Ray Gardner, the speed of Tyler Lancaster, the ability to read the field by Schield, the solid strong play of Jay Hoffmeister, Mason Martin grabbed the "W" from Team Coldwell Banker.

Charles Buky, captain and quarterback for Coldwell Banker, fought hard for his team, putting up 180 passing yards with his 12 completions. Powerhouse Taryn Morgan banked 70 receiving yards and a touchdown. In a close second, husband Matt Morgan scored a touchdown and recorded 30 receiving yards. The remaining Team Coldwell Banker teammates showed the depth of the team with each of them catching or running the ball for significant yardage.

Out of his regular position on the Island, Mason Martin's Gardner took on the roll of QB finishing the game with 125 passing yards. Using his tremendous speed, Gardner logged 165 rushing yards and a TD. Big E scored two touchdowns with 30 receiving yards and Agnelli grabbed a pass in the end zone as well as an extra point.

The first night of adult flag football at The Center proved to be the start of another exciting season.

Sun Scoreboard

Tuesday, Aug. 16

Youth Basketball

Five- to Nine-Year-Old League

Harry's Grill 18
The Waterfront 4

Salty Printing 5
Sugar Beach Digital 26

Thursday, Aug. 18

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football

Tyler's Ice Cream 21
Blake Medical Center 15

Anna Maria CrossFit 21
Progressive Cabinetry 6

Beach House Real Estate 28
Moss Builders 22

Mason Martin 27
Coldwell Banker 12