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Tag: Anna Maria Island sports

Sato Real Estate gets their first win

Sato Real Estate gets their first win

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

Thursday night May 9 the defending adult co-ed soccer champions, Sato Real Estate, took to The Center of Anna Maria Island field against a tough Jiffy Lube team looking for their first win of the season. Off to a rough start, Josh Sato’s team lost their number two draft pick Joe Jones to a torn Achilles tendon only to be replaced by Zachary Lieb, a top choice any season.

With Lieb and two strong female teammates, Alta Bujarski and Sumiko Chipman, the purple team looked to be on their way to another tied ballgame, but in the high scoring game, Sato Real Estate earned their first win of the season.

Goalkeeper Jason Sato, older brother to Josh, was kept busy in the net with nine saves in the night. At the opposite end of the field, now veteran goalie Robb Marshall had eight saves of his own.

Jiffy Lube’s Ricky Anderson started the scoring action after four minutes of play giving his brother’s team an early lead.

A quick shot by Chipman missed the target but started the shooting effort by Sato Real Estate. R. Anderson made another strike at the net that was saved by Jason Sato.

Sato Real Estate’s Lyn Clarke showed why he is still a force to be reckoned on the pitch at the age of 79 with three goals in the game. Finding the perfect open position by the opponent’s net in a league with no offsides rule, Clarke scored his first goal of the evening, tying the game 1-1.

In the eighth minute of the game, team captain Josh Sato dribbled the soccer ball all the way down the pitch. Feeling the defenders coming strong, Sato passed to Murat Akay who gave it back to his captain for the shot and goal, giving his team the lead 1-2.

On the next possession, Lieb took a hard shot that went off the right post. Chipman struck again with a scoring attempt that was saved by Marshall.

With less than 10 minutes left in the first half of play, the soccer ball was batted around in front of the Sato Real Estate goal before Jiffy Lube’s Nick Bolli found his foot on the ball for the strike and goal, once again tying the game with the score at 2-2.

Three minutes later, Jiffy Lube moved the ball down the field with precision with passes from team captain Danny Anderson to Omar Polar to be finished by Stetson Mathews for the team’s third goal of the game.

With the score at 3-2, D. Anderson put the ball to the feet of Eliza Falliace. Fighting for possession, Mathews kicked the soccer ball out of bounds giving Sato Real Estate the goal kick.

On an unlucky goal kick by Jason Sato, D. Anderson got the ball right in the middle of the field to just outside of the goalie box. Giving D. Anderson this opportunity is almost always guaranteed goal. Not disappointing their fans, Team Jiffy Lube put another point on the scoreboard to go ahead by two goals with the score at 4-2.

Chipman found a clear field ahead and took the ball to the left corner of the Jiffy Lube box before passing to Akay. Akay’s shot went right into the hands of Marshall for the save.

To start the last 25 minutes of play Akay had two consecutive goals to tie the game to tie the score 4-4.

Unable to handle the strike by Chipman, Team Sato Real Estate once again took the lead on the Marshall mishap, moving the score to 4-5 with 14:35 left on the clock.

The Sato Real Estate squad moved the ball down the field again and finished with another goal by Clarke 90 seconds later.

Team Jiffy Lube came back with a goal of their own with a strong pass by Polar to Falliace in front of the goal. Falliace took advantage of her position with a missile that would have gone in the net but was assisted by Anil Akbulut to take the score to 5-6.

Holding on to the lead, Josh Sato, sporting two different cleats, worked hard to move the ball on the field, getting it to Lieb. Lieb’s strike was stopped by Sean Flynn who was now in goal for Team Jiffy Lube.

Clarke’s next shot was stopped near the close of the game. Team Sato Real Estate took its seventh goal in the game and the win by two points.

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No bumming around at the Beach Bums soccer clinic

No bumming around at the Beach Bums soccer clinic

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

With their little boots tied, shin guards on, sporting their Beach Bums soccer jerseys, six-and seven-year-old Island area kids took to the small field last Wednesday night in The Center’s soccer clinic.

Lead by coach Thomas Philpott, now-veteran players like Maggie Sue Niedzwick, Dylan and Brandon Sato, and Camden Rudacille participate this spring in the oldest age group training sessions before eventually moving on to the big field.

No bumming around at the Beach Bums soccer clinic
Dylan Sato shows his years of experience on the pitch at The Center’s Beach Bums soccer clinic Wednesday night. – Monica Simpson | Sun

Other players in this season’s soccer clinic include Giuliana Bankert, Braylen Briggs, Preston Brighenti, Patrick Burnette, Sophia Kerr, Kinsley Roehl, Sophia Travis, Polea Vacek, Evita Moyer, Brennan Rygiel and Lexi Baugher.

After working the drills, the kiddos took their skills into a scrimmage game. Dribbling the soccer ball past defenders, striking the ball for the shot and playing the right position were just a few of the important fundamentals taught in the clinic.

As these players move on playing Island soccer, they will progress to games where the score and statistics are kept, but the fun and love of the game remains.

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Gulfview takes the win opening week

Rotary Club scores again with annual golf tournament

Progressive Cabinetry shuts the door on Lancaster Design

Gulfview takes the win opening week

Gulfview takes the win opening week

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Soccer, Sports.

The spring adult soccer season kicked off last week with the ladies and gentlemen of the Island area taking the pitch. With 10 teams in the league, in a record-breaking season, two teams had a bye week.

Moss Builders, playing without Ryan Moss on the roster, went head-to-head with Solid Rock Construction. A new sponsor to the soccer league, owners James Roadman and Zachary Long played for the first time along with Evelyn Long, sister-in-law of Roadman.

In a close one, Solid Rock took the win to start the season.

The second game of the night between Beach House Real Estate and Gulfview Windows and Doors started off as a defensive battle. The first half of play ended with no goals on the scoreboard.

The game remained scoreless until nearly the 37th minute of action. Moss, captain of Gulfview, hit the net for the first goal of the matchup.

Four minutes later Adam Bujarski tied it up with Beach House Real Estate’s only goal of the night.

Beach House’s goalie, Cliff Powell, who had five saves in the game, could not handle the shot by league newcomer Jose Urbiola Bolanos leading to Gulfview’s second goal, advancing the score to 2-1.

Ashley Friszman, in her first game at The Center, shot her own goal with the assist by Aaron Parkin.

Gulfview Windows and Doors’ keeper Jordan DeMers successfully prevented Beach House Real Estate’s offense from scoring with 12 saves.

The final goal of the night was off the foot of Bolanos with two minutes left in the game with the score 4-1.

The tough matchup between Sato Real Estate and Blalock Walters ended in a 3-3 tie. Josh Sato, team captain of Sato Real Estate, scored all three of his team’s goals. Brother Jason Sato had nine saves in the game.

Blalock Walters brought in their team of attorneys and family onto the field, without Matt Plummer. Stephen Perry returned to the field after a long hiatus to score a goal. Matt Staggs hit two of his own.

Coming out of retirement to protect the net and play with his co-workers, Scott Rudacille had eight recorded saves.

The final game of the night ended with 19 goals on the scoreboard. Flynn Law faced off against Jiffy Lube in the shooting match.

Playing for Jiffy Lube, Sean Flynn had a single goal and assist in the night. Goalkeeper Robb Marshall had 10 saves against Flynn Law.

Stetson Matthews put up four goals against Flynn Law goalie Josh Bernet. The scoreboard lit up with Ricky Anderson’s four goals, with brother and team captain Daniel Anderson scoring his own goal to give Jiffy Lube 12 points and the win.

Team captain Kevin Roman, for Flynn Law, scored three goals in the game. Teammate Lexi Sato had a hat trick of her own, with an additional score by Olaf Krause.

The 12 game regular season ends with the championship match on June 27 for the recipient of the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup.

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Progressive Cabinetry shuts the door on Lancaster Design

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Progressive Cabinetry shuts the door on Lancaster Design

Progressive Cabinetry shuts the door on Lancaster Design

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Football, Sports.

Three months of adult co-ed flag football came to a close with the top two regular-season finishers meeting once again on The Center main field. What was anticipated by many to be a blowout ended up being an action-filled battle of speed and agility.

In the first play of the game, Progressive Cabinetry brought out the big gun of quarterback Don Purvis. Purvis hit Connor Haughey wide open in the middle of the field who sped down the field for the first touchdown in the game.

Purvis called on the steady hands of team captain Ray Gardner for the point after taking the score to 7-0 in the first minute of the game.

Lancaster Design team captain Tim Shaughnessy, Purvis’ football protégé in high school, was not to be outdone. Shaughnessy took his first snap of the game in much the same way, finding Lane Burnett. Burnett turned on the burners and entered the end zone untouched.

Caleb Roberts, the brother-in-law of Shaughnessy, got the call for the extra point reception to tie the game 7-7.

The Purvis-Gardner combination was once again successful on the field with a quick pitch to Gardner and stop by Lancaster Design’s Karri Stephens on the Progressive Cabinetry’s second game snap.

On second down, Gardner took the football all the way down the field, giving his team a six-point lead after the missed point after attempt.

Six minutes into the game Roberts gained four yards before Progressive Cabinetry’s stop with a Ben Sato flag pull. The Lancaster Design first down came courtesy of Roberts’ catch only to be stopped by Haughey.

Tasting the touchdown, Shaughnessy tried to get the football to his deep receiver, but the throw was short and landed right in the hands of Haughey for the Progressive Cabinetry interception.

The Progressive Cabinetry diverse roster flourished last Thursday night. Sato was Purvis’ next target with a nice catch and stop by Roberts. Gardner secured the first down after a quick pitch.

In the end zone on second down, Progressive Cabinetry’s Jake Parsons and Haughey collided with a thud that could be heard on the other end of the field ending the team’s offensive possession.

Shaughnessy took advantage of an unsuccessful march down the field by Gardner’s team by connecting with Burnett on the first two plays taking the football past midfield for the first down. Progressive Cabinetry’s Lexi Sato, Ben Sato’s sister-in-law, stopped the TD with the flag pull.

Sato’s stop only temporarily prevented the score. Stephens made a beautiful catch in the Progressive Cabinetry end zone, with the extra point by Burnett in the back left corner of the field to give Lancaster Design their first lead of the game 13-14.

With veteran leadership, Purvis steadily moved his team into scoring position nearing half time. Gardner, who has played QB in previous seasons, gave Purvis options offensively.

Gardner took the football from Purvis behind the line of scrimmage only to throw it back to Purvis who stepped out of bounds after the catch seven yards short of the first down. L. Sato quickly gained the first, with Parsons credited with the stop.

Two incomplete passes by Progressive took the game clock down to one minute left in the half and a third and goal situation. With Brianna Roberts covering L. Sato, Gardner trusted the capable hands, arguably the best female player in the league.

After L. Sato’s touchdown catch, Zachary Holder scored the extra point, advancing the score to 20-14.

The six-point deficit ignited the Lancaster Design team, bringing Mike Shaughnessy, father of Tim Shaughnessy and Brianna Roberts, to briefly take over as the quarterback. The former Kent State QB threw the football to his son just short of the first down.

Sato made the critical flag pull after Lancaster Design past midfield. T. Shaughnessy went under center and hit Burnett putting the ball on the Progressive Cabinetry 10-yard line.

On third down and in scoring position, Purvis rushed T. Shaughnessy and got the sack to stop Lancaster from scoring.

In the final play of the half, Gardner took the football more than halfway down the field, weaving in and out of traffic, evading defenders to the cheers of the spectators finally to be stopped by Stephens.

Taking advantage of half time to regroup his team and give words of praise and encouragement, T. Shaughnessy and Lancaster Design came out fighting, scoring a touchdown in three plays, including a 10-yard gain by Parsons and the scoring reception by Burnett. Failing to convert, Progressive got the ball back with the score tied at 20 all.

First play of the half for Progressive Cabinetry was to B. Sato who ran the football down the full length of the field after a short catch. Gardner’s pass to L. Sato was too tall going off her fingers, leaving the score at 26-20.

Keeping the game close catches by Stephens and B. Roberts, including a first down reception Stephens, and a run by Burnett put Lancaster Design in scoring position.

Roberts pulled the football in for a touchdown and followed up with the extra point nab giving his team the lead once again by one point.

With 12 minutes left on the game clock, Purvis found B. Sato for what looked to be a repeat of his early score. Parsons made the stop at the one-yard line.

Sato sealed the deal with a solid TD catch. Going for two points, Purvis took the snap and hit Haughey pushing the score to 34-27.

Lancaster Design could not make anything happen on their next possession, only to give Progressive Cabinetry another chance to score.

In six solid plays, Purvis and Gardner marched the team down the field chipping away at the yardage. Defensively, Chris Culhane put the pressure on Gardner, sacking him in the Progressive backfield.

A 10-yard gain by L. Sato, a first down catch by Haughey, and a long run by Gardner got Progressive to the Lancaster Design six-yard line. Gardner threw to L. Sato at the one-yard line.

On third down, Haughey scored the TD and followed up with the point after to give his team a 14-point lead.

The Progressive Cabinetry offense ate away at the clock leaving only one minute for Lancaster Design to score and hope to get the ball back before time ran out.

Unable to make anything happen on offense, Lancaster Design lost the championship game to Progressive Cabinetry who called the game with 44.9 seconds left on the scoreboard, successfully ending another adult flag football season on the island, with the final score of 41-27.

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Solid Rock Construction built a solid season

Hashmark Sports defeats veteran Ugly Grouper squad

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Solid Rock Construction built a solid season

Solid Rock Construction built a solid season

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Sports, Volleyball.

The final night of adult co-ed volleyball play for the season took place at The Center of Anna Maria Island Thursday night. All five teams showed why the championship was not in the bag for the first seed team Solid Rock Construction.

After three matches, the final battle ensued between the top two season finishers: Solid Rock Construction and Planet Stone.

The players of Planet Stone came into the season as defending champions. Finishing with an 8-4 record, the four friends who play together on the sand were the best opponents for the new athletes at the community center.

Solid Rock Construction, a family owned and operated HVAC company, brought two players to the flag football gridiron this winter and soon formed their volleyball powerhouse team.

Footballers James Roadman and brother-in-law Zachary Long added volleyball to their weekly sports schedule along with wives Katy Roadman and Evelyn Long. Katy and Evelyn brought sister Christy Raulerson and brother-in-law Brian Raulerson into the mix to form the family-based team.

Teammate Maria Shanks departed the Solid Rock squad mid-season with a family move out-of-state.

Playing six on four, the Planet Stone foursome held their own historically against the top seed. With nearly identical records going into the big match, a close fight for the championship title was anticipated.

The construction company, with the motto “Built right, the first time,” moved their business from Tampa to Anna Maria this past year to raise their family on the Island. The ladies of team Solid Rock Construction are all sisters with volleyball skills that brought out the best in their husbands.

The first game was close until the end. Patrick and Christine Wright, David Deaver and Rusty Clasman of team Planet Stone, coming off the easy win against Ugly Grouper in two games, moved the volleyball well starting the with the service advantage.

Going up early with two points, Planet Stone maintained their lead until the 21st point, with the score 10-11. Spikes by Z. Long scored for Solid Rock.

Planet Stone stayed in the first game with blocked shots by P. Wright and Deaver, as well as smart plays and perfect hits by C. Wright and Clasman.

The two teams gave the spectators a lot of strong volleyball action with long skill-filled rallies and service aces by both teams.

Despite losing the lead, Planet Stone kept fighting. Hitting the ball with perfect placement, the four players squad forced Z. Long to make a diving hit that landed just wide of the far sideline.

The Solid Rock Construction brothers-in-law, including B. Raulerson who also works with the family business, strategically placed themselves at the line at any given time creating a strong defensive barrier.

With the score 18-24 at game point for Solid Rock, J. Roadman took advantage of his location on the front line with a solid hit over the net with blazing velocity whizzing right past the Planet Stone front line player, C. Wright to end the first game.

Looking make quick work of their opponent, Solid Rock Construction started at the line with the serve and big defensive moves, going up by seven points with the score 10-3.

Planet Stone got stuck with five points on the scoreboard, while Solid Rock continued to increase their lead with the rally scoring system.

Mishits and the inability to decide who was going for the return caused a little turmoil among the Planet Stone squad.

After a long rally, P. Wright ended play with a strong finish finally moving Planet Stone’s score to 16-6. Each team went back and forth adding a point here and another there.

Solid Rock Construction continued to widen the scoring gap with a kill by J. Roadman, taking the game to game and match point.

With the win on the line, J. Roadman moved back into position to serve to end the battle. Once again, the volleyball fell to the ground between all of the Planet Stone players.

Much like the company’s guiding principles, the strong foundation of the Solid Rock Construction volleyball team with communications, perfectly placed sets and strong kills by the big guys in front made for a force to be reckoned with, which could not be defeated in the last night of hard court action.

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Hashmark Sports defeats veteran Ugly Grouper squad

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Hashmark Sports defeats veteran Ugly Grouper squad

Hashmark Sports defeats veteran Ugly Grouper squad

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Football, Sports.

The Center of Anna Maria Island field was the venue for the adult flag football quarterfinal playoff games Thursday night. In the crisp spring breeze, the community center’s new Youth Program Coordinator, Tim Holly, brought his young team, Hashmark Sports, to battle against Charles Buky and the Ugly Grouper squad.

As the clear underdogs, having a slow start to the season, Hashmark Sports struggled to stop Ugly Grouper’s Jon Moss and Nick Sato. Moss quickly ran a long route for the first down reception, giving Sato a chance to score.

Buky’s QB skills hit Sato for the first touchdown of the game. Failing to get the point after, Holly’s team took the field six points down.

Trying to find their groove, Matteo Ferris threw the ball with confidence to his main go-to receiver Anthony Mannino. Despite moving the football into Ugly Grouper territory, Hashmark Sports could not find the end zone.

Despite most of the team being just out of high school, Hashmark went out on the field with energy and determination. On defense, Holly showed why his team is a contender with a critical sack of Buky on the Ugly Grouper third down play.

After a first down play, Ferris threw a short pitch to Holly who ran the ball for critical yards after. Sato prevented the touchdown with a big flag pull.

Hashmark Sports’ Jaret Rojas took the snap and found Mannino in the end zone to tie the important playoff game.

Playing hard for the win, emotions began to flare up on the Hashmark team as a bad pass to Holly forced the team to get the first down on the next play.

Ugly Grouper’s key veteran player Christina “Dina” Calvary used her speed to chase the Hashmark Sports quarterback all around the backfield. Finally getting free, Holly caught the first down pass.

Quickly calling the timeout with 18 seconds left in the half. Mannino with the football gave a little juke and sidestep to get past the Ugly Grouper defender and into the end zone.

Moss tipped the extra point pass, leaving the score at the half 6-12.

The last 20 minutes of the game started with Ugly Grouper on offense. The floater pass by Buky was intercepted by Mannino, sparking the team’s energy once again.

Mike Brusso rushed the Hashmark Sports quarterback Rojas, nearly getting the sack. Just before Brusso could get there, Rojas pitched the football back to Holly behind the line of scrimmage, but he got caught by the Ugly Grouper defender for a loss of yardage.

With a diving Calvary flag pull, Mannino was stopped at the original line of scrimmage leading to a third down play in the pass only zone.

Ferris gained the first down, but the team just could not cross the line into the end zone on the next three snaps.

The short catch of Sato was stopped by a double flag pull by Holly. Mannino was on Moss for the immediate stop after the catch on second down. Moss was Buky’s target on the third-down pass, but he was stopped just short of the first down.

On the next possession, Hashmark Sports quickly turned over the football with an interception by Moss. Players on the two teams lost their heads as words were said and testosterone filled the air.

Center flag football Hashmark Ugly Grouper
Hashmark Sports’ Chris Smith makes his way down the field toward his sister on defense, Ugly Grouper’s Dina Calvary, in last Wednesday night’s quarterfinal game. – Monica Simpson | Sun

Both teams calmed down and resumed play with a big first down catch by Brusso. The big catch by Moss was followed by a key flag pull by Joey Carder preventing the score. Despite a beautiful diving catch by Moss, the Ugly Grouper squad could not put six points on the scoreboard.

Holly grabbed the ball three yards short of the first down with five minutes left in the game. Hashmark took the football all the way down the field but just could not break the scoring barrier to widen their lead.

One minute on the clock is plenty for a skilled and focused Buky as the quarterback. Moss caught the first catch for Ugly Grouper only to be followed by a Mannino stop.

With Brusso as the center and rushing obstacle, Holly sped around him to make the sack on Buky. Ugly Grouper quickly called a time out.

At third down and lots of field left to conquer, a bad snap to Buky was all it took to end the game, giving the Hashmark Sports team their seat in semifinal action as the #5 seed.

In the second quarterfinal game of the night Gulfview Windows, playing without Jordan Demers, lost in a very close battle against Beach House Real Estate. The game looked like it might go into overtime play, but the solid combination of Chad Woods and Chris Gillum just could not be stopped.

The regular season top finishers Progressive Cabinetry will be taking on Hashmark Sports at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. Lancaster Design, the second seed team, takes on the Gillum and the rest of the Beach House Real Estate crew at 6:30 p.m.

April 4 at 7:30 p.m. is the setting for the much-anticipated championship game at The Center.

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Progressive Cabinetry closes doors on Bins Be Clean

Progressive Cabinetry closes doors on Bins Be Clean

Progressive Cabinetry closes doors on Bins Be Clean

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Football, Sports.

ANNA MARIA – The youth flag football season is coming to an end, and semifinal playoff games dominated the sports schedule last week. The youngest competitive players took to the field Wednesday night.

After beating #3 team Slim’s Place the week before, underdog #6 team Bins Be Clean faced the #2 team Progressive Cabinetry in the semifinal game of the week. Coach Troy Kosteinik led the Progressive Cabinetry team to victory in a nail biter against Coach Joe Peery’s Bins Be Clean squad.

Early in the game the two teams put points on the scoreboard. Connar Henderson put six points in the statistics book with a touchdown for Progressive Cabinetry to start the scoring. Cyrus Ryan followed for Bins Be Clean, getting into the end zone for the touchdown and the point after, giving his team a one-point lead.

The Progressive Cabinetry defense covered the field and stumped the Bins Be Clean quarterback, forcing him play after play to make a play right at the seven-second count down by the referee.

The first half of the game ended with the score 6-7.

Going into the next 20 minutes of play, Kosteinik’s team started on offense. Henderson looked like he was going to weave in and out of traffic for the score but was stopped 10 yards from the Bins Be Clean end zone.

Mary Harrison put the football into action as the Progressive Cabinetry center on a number of plays. On the second down play, Gabriel Conn made a critical flag pull for Bins Be Clean, forcing a third down play that had to end in a touchdown.

The Progressive Cabinetry quarterback finally found Henderson at the front pylon for his team’s second touchdown, moving the score to 12-7.

Bins Be Clean started its next set of downs with a reverse to Conn, who sped down the sideline, taking the football just short of the first down. Conn’s team could not cross the midfield line, turning the ball over to the opponent.

Landon Snyder made quick work of the field with a touchdown. The Progressive Cabinetry point after conversion gave the team a 12-point lead in the game with the score at 19-7.

Assistant coach Josh Conn, along with Coach Peery, encouraged the Bins Be Clean to continue the fight on the field, resulting in a critical score in three snaps of the ball. The series started with a short reception and important yards after by G. Conn.

Connor Samblis was the quarterback’s choice for the third play of the possession. Samblis evaded defenders, with flags slipping through many hands, before finding the end zone. Going for two points, Ryan made the sliding catch taking Bins Be Clean within four points of the tie.

Back on defense, big brother Conn was assisted by Tyler Conn to box in the Progressive Cabinetry quarterback, preventing the first down. Despite the efforts of the Bins Be Clean defense, Progressive Cabinetry scored its final points of the game, taking the score to 25-15.

Working the clock with a never say quit attitude, the Bins Be Clean quarterback scored a touchdown with 45 seconds left on the game clock. G. Conn scored the extra point to make it a three-point game.

T. Conn, back on defense, rushed in to put the pressure on the Progressive quarterback, eventually leading to a key sack. The second down incomplete pass forced the third down push to the midfield line. Despite a nice pass, Progressive Cabinetry could not cross the line.

Bins Be Clean got the football back with 14.8 seconds on the clock. The team made every effort to get back into scoring position, but time was not on its side. On third down, Henderson made what might have been the most important flag pull of the game for Progressive Cabinetry to end the game, keeping the opponent from scoring what would have been the game-winning touchdown.

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Island Charms takes the win

Island Charms takes the win

Island Charms takes the win

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Football, Sports.

Heading into the second half of the youth flag football season, the four teams in the 11- to 14-year-old league took to the field at The Center of Anna Maria Island. In the first game of the night, Coach Jim Collins lead his Island Charms team to a big win last Wednesday night against Groom’s Automotive, coached by Tom Baugher.

The battle on the football field was a good one with the two teams each making key plays and keeping the opponent on their toes.

Team Island Charms started on defense with a strong stand against Team Groom’s Automotive offense. Three snaps and out, along with an impressive flag pull by Jackson Pakbaz, gave the football to Island Charms.

Isaiah Mondon started the play for Island Charms, taking the football just short of the midfield line. Payton Harlan was the team’s QB’s next target. Harlan moved the ball to the Groom’s three-yard line. Despite the march down the field, Island Charms could not cross the goal line, leaving the score 0-0.

On the second possession, Kieran Cloutier gained 15 yards before the flag pull by Evan Talucci. Groom’s continued to gain critical yardage on the second down with a touchdown pass on the third snap of the possession.

Nicholas Yatros caught the extra point pass giving Groom’s a seven-point lead.

On the fourth play of the series, Island Charms scored its first touchdown, shrinking the Groom’s lead with the score at 7-6.

With six seconds left on the scoreboard for the first half of the game, Groom’s began working on offense, but could not make it to midfield. Mondon ended the possession with a near interception.

Mondon, on offense, made a first down play for Island Charms on the first snap. Teammate Julian Lazzara followed up with a nice run taking the game to the one-minute warning.

Island Charms’ late penalty and a short run by Mondon ended the half without putting points on the board.

Looking to increase its lead, Island Charms started the final half of the game with a nice play by Talucci that took the football just short of the first down line. After gaining the first down, Yatros’s flag pull stopped the play before his opponent entered the end zone.

At the quarterback position, Harlan showed great patience, allowing Mondon to break away from the defense with a beautiful reception at the back of the field for the touchdown, pushing the score to 12-7 with Island Charms in the lead.

Brilliantly reading the play, Island Charms’ Harrison Schenerlein nabbed the pass by Yatros for a pick six, scoring the final points of the game.

Despite strong efforts by both teams, neither team could find its way into the end zone, ending the game with the score of 18-7 and a victory for Island Charms.

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Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Football, Sports.

The second week of adult co-ed flag football action on the Island took place last Thursday now that the adult soccer finally came to a close last week.

Gulfview Windows, a new sponsor in the league represented by a veteran team led by Ryan Moss, took the field by storm against Hashmark Sports. Young new team captain Tim Holly for Hashmark Sports started his team on offense in the second game of the night.

Moss quickly showed the members of the Hashmark Sports team how things are done in the adult league with an interception on the first snap of the ball. The pick-six put Gulfview Windows in the early lead.

Missing the point after, Moss’s team once again took the defensive field position. Hashmark Sports Joey Carder gained short yardage on first down. On third down, Moss grabbed the pass and took it to the end zone.

Going for two points, Tyler Lancaster returned to the league with a nice catch for the two-point conversion and 14-point lead for Gulfview Windows.

Taking the field with possession of the football, Hashmark Sports answered back with a bomb to Chris Smith and touchdown by Carder.

Jordan DeMers became Moss’ favorite go-to guy in the game reception with a long run to score six points. Going for two points, Moss was diligently chased by Carder causing the incomplete pass.

Claudia Perez had her first reception opportunity in the game, but the Hashmark Sports quarterback could not quite get the ball to her hands. Her team gained a critical first down on second down and took advantage of the momentum taking the football downtown for another touchdown.

Both teams had unsuccessful offensive series until the scoreboard showed 55 seconds left in the half. Lancaster made a first down reception that set up another long ball to DeMers and touchdown. With the score 26-12, Holly sacked Moss on the point after attempt.

The quick effort by Holly’s team came up short as Gulfview Windows’ Joe Ball knocked down the ball right in front of the intended receiver to end the half.

The last 25 minutes of the game started with a touchdown catch by Lancaster, followed by an extra point, advancing the score to 33-12.

Three snaps and out for Hashmark Sports gave the football back to Gulfview Windows. The DeMers-Moss combination gave their team another touchdown and two-point conversion with an on the run pass by Moss to Lancaster.

With a 30-point lead, the Gulfview defense could not rush the Hashmark quarterback Matteo Ferris. After an incomplete pass, Ferris hit his receiver with a bomb, putting him into the end zone, shrinking the point spread to 24 points.

Moss’s next target was Eliza Faillace. The pass was long and out of the reach of the soccer powerhouse. A turnover by Gulfview Windows gave Hashmark a scoring opportunity. With the extra point, the score moved to 42-24, keeping the game open for anyone to win.

The first play in the Gulfview series allowed Moss to run the football all the way to the end of the field, putting six more points on the board.

After the Perez reception and Faillace flag pull, DeMers made an interception. Stopping another touchdown, Holly chased the Gulfview Windows game MVP to prevent another score.

Ed Moss made the next catch of the night with the stop by Smith. The rolling game clock sparked a strong defensive effort by Hashmark Sports.

Ferris sacked R. Moss on third down to put the football back into his team’s hands. Trying to close the gap before the end of the game, Ferris hit Smith for yardage and then threw an uncatchable pass to Carder.

In the final end zone toss-up, Gulfview Window’s Ball knocked down the football to end the game.

Thursday night, Gulfview Windows faces Ray Gardner’s Progressive Cabinetry at 6:30 p.m. In the second game of the night, Hashmark Sports goes against Tim Shaughnessy’s Lancaster Design team. The late game puts Team Ugly Grouper, lead by Charles Buky, on the field with Beach House Real Estate in the third week of flag football action at The Center.

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The last night of fall 2018 was supposed to be the backdrop to the adult co-ed soccer championship game at The Center, but Mother Nature had other plans for the evening.  With a day of rain accumulated on the Island field, Sato Real Estate and Lancaster Design would have to wait to see who could claim the cup.

January brought youth flag football action into the winter season as the first two weeks of games were delayed due to the heavy rains that closed out December. Two of the three competitive recreational age group leagues took the field last week

After the ringing in of the new year, the eight- to 10-year-olds gave the fans strong head-to-head action. Progressive Cabinetry, coached by Troy Kosteinik, finished its first game with a tied score against Tim Holly’s Slim’s Place.

Finishing the week with another tied ball game, Planet Stone, inspired by Ray Gardner, faced Ugly Grouper, coached by Jaret Rojas. In a blow out match-up, Joe Peery’s Bins Be Clean could not find the end zone against Beach Bums, coached by Gary Harlan.

The season is young, and any of the six teams in the youngest age group could be on top after the seven regular games are played.

Four of the five teams in the 11-to 13-year old flag football league, Beach House Real Estate and Island Charms came out victorious. Grooms Automotive, coached by Tom Baugher, put up 12 points against Corey Jacques’ Beach House Real Estate, which scored 33 points in the game.

In a close one, Coach Rob Alderson’s team stayed competitive with 13 points in the game, while Coach Jim Collins helped his team to its first win of the season, scoring 19 points.

The big kids are preparing to take the gridiron with co-ed adult flag football evaluations and draft on Thursday and the action to start shortly thereafter on Thursday nights.

The Center is looking to bring excitement back to the hard court of the gym with adult co-ed volleyball. The bring your own team league will start play on Tuesday, Jan. 29, with registration ending on Saturday, Jan. 19. The Tuesday night play gives adults an indoor sports alternative for the season.

Youth wrestling is underway in the Island gym and will continue until March, taking the team on the road for tournaments to test its skills on the mat.

To round out the school year, youth basketball will take to the court in March, with youth soccer and T-ball games in April.

The sounds of fans clapping and team spirit will continue to fill the air at the Island’s community center, making 2019 another year of athletic celebrations.

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The last regular season co-ed adult soccer game ended Thursday night with Lancaster Design pulling out the big win over Jiffy Lube.

After Moss Builders took the first victory of the night over Eason Builders, Slim’s Place earned its first win of the season against a winless Ross Built Construction.

Sato Real Estate handed AMI Locals its third loss of the season. Playing with a demanding defensive attack lead by Alta Bujarski, Sato Real Estate’s Andrew Schmidt lead the team out of the gate with a beautiful shot.

Matthew Staggs took the second score statistic, advancing the score to 2-0 two minutes into the game.

Team captain Kevin Roman hit the net next for his team, AMI Locals. Schmidt followed up with his second point of the game with 17 minutes left in the half.

Tyler Robinson, Roman’s teammate of the sponsored AMI Locals, brought the game to a one-point spread with the score 3-2.

The third game of the night ended with a goal by Chris Culhane, taking the score to 4-2.

Danny Anderson, the leader of Jiffy Lube, started the last game with a bang, scoring within the first few minutes of the game.

Anderson’s brother Ricky put the second point on the scoreboard, and teammate Nathan Kragt scored the third goal with 10 minutes left in the half.

Just as it looked like Jiffy Lube was going to run away with the game, Lancaster Design’s team woke up and started its scoring streak at the 17th minute by Zackary Lieb.

Right before the end of the first half of the game, D. Anderson struck the soccer ball for the teams fourth and final goal of the night.

At the very start of the last 23 minutes of play, Lancaster Design came out scoring. Lieb scored the next two goals tying the ball game 4-4.

With a tie looking to be the destiny for the match, Lieb put his team head and gave it the win with a little over five minutes left on the clock.

The second round of the playoffs will start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13.

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