Skip to main content

Tag: The Center

Coaches vote league’s best

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

ANNA MARIA – The winter flag football playoffs started and the youth league award winners were announced last week. With the coaches’ votes in, 10 well-deserved players heard their names announced on The Center’s field.

Playing in last week’s opening game, AMI Coconuts’ Camden Rudacille, the league’s winner of the sportsmanship award, proved he is not only one of the best-spirited players in the league but also a skilled baller.

With one touchdown catch and a two-point conversion on offense, Rudacille also had a strong defensive game against the Moss Builders team, including six flag pulls and an interception.

Teammate Adelaide McGraw and Cheesecake Cutie’s Gunner Maize earned the offensive most valuable player honors for the 8- to 10-year-old league.

Despite the team’s loss against top-ranked Moss Builders, McGraw had a strong game with one reception and a big defensive stop.

In the third game of the night, MVP Maize’s team dominated the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant team, winning 33-0. The Cheesecake Cutie standout once again showed why he is deserving of the title, with 21 points, including a touchdown reception, a rushing score and a pick-six.

On the other side of the football, Beach House’s Aiden Guess, winner of the defensive MVP votes, had three flag pulls against the Cuties offense.

Team Adrian Griffin Interiors advanced to the semifinals with a win against Chick-fil-A. The league’s most improved player, Silas DeWitt, playing for the victors, finished the game with five catches, including one for six points and three big defensive stops.

Sato Real Estate won the second game of the night against Solid Rock Construction by 20 points in the defensive battle.

In the older youth league, Solid Rock Electrical’s Estella Long lit up the gridiron as the MVP against team HSH Design. Long had four catches and scored six points. On the other side of the football, Long stopped the HSH offense with seven flag pulls.

The league’s most improved player, Van Harvell, playing for Solid Rock Air Conditioning, helped his team to their narrow victory against Progressive Cabinetry. In the two-point game, Harvell scored a touchdown and made five big flag pulls in the night’s second match-up.

Team Wings N Things could not advance to the next round of the playoffs, despite having two of the honored players in the league. The Shady Lady Horticultural Services team was just too strong, holding Ryk Kesten, the defensive most valuable player, to one TD and five flag pulls.

Sportsmanship award recipient Charlee Maize caught two passes, pulled eight flags to stop forward progress and sacked the Shady Lady QB.

Closing out last week’s youth flag football play, team Moss Builders solidly won against team Freckled Fin. With the final score 52-8, Mason Moss put up numbers that echoed his season accomplishments which earned him the coaches’ votes for MVP.

Scoring two rushing touchdowns and catching for another six, Moss also had two interceptions, including taking one down the field to score.

Moss clearly showed his dominance both on offense and defense, finishing the game with a flag pull and one-point conversion to end last week’s youth play.

This week’s youth flag football action started on Monday with team Sato Real Estate facing the Cheesecake Cutie team, as well as the 8- to 10-year-old Moss Builders team taking on Adrian Griffin Interiors.

On Tuesday, the older Moss Builders team played Solid Rock Electric while Solid Rock Air Conditioning opposed the Shady Lady Horticultural Services squad in semifinal action.

 

 

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

 

MARCH 4 – YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

QUARTER-FINAL PLAYOFFS

 

 

#1 Moss Builders 35

#8 AMI Coconuts 8

 

 

#3 Sato Real Estate 26

#6 Solid Rock Construction 6

 

 

#2 Cheesecake Cuties 33

#7 Beach House Waterfront Restaurant 0

 

 

#4 Adrian Griffin Interiors 26

#5 Chick-fil-A 13

 

 

MARCH 5 – YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL

11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

QUARTER-FINAL PLAYOFFS

 

 

#4 Solid Rock Electrical 39

#5 HSH Design 18

 

 

#3 Solid Rock Air Conditioning 43

#6 Progressive Cabinetry 41

 

 

#2 Shady Lady Horticultural Services 26

#7 Wings N Things 6

 

 

#1 Moss Builders 52

#8 Freckled Fin 8

 

 

MARCH 7 – ADULT CO-ED INDOOR SOCCER, WEEK 5

 

 

Mi-Box (1-3-1) 13

Slim’s Place (0-4-1) 12

 

 

Pool America (3-1-1) 14

Servis 1st Bank (2-3-0) 5

 

 

Bucky Construction (5-0-0) 7

Sato Real Estate (2-2-1) 6

 

 

ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL

QUARTER-FINAL PLAYOFFS

 

 

#5 Solid Rock Construction 29

#4 Salty Printing 13

 

 

#3 Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 46

#6 Slim’s Place 39

 

 

#2 Moss Builders 27

#7 Gulf Drive Café 6

 

 

#1 Floridian Mortgage 42

#8 Edible Cookie Dough Café 27

 

 

UPCOMING GAMES

MARCH 17

Floridian Mortgage vs. Solid Rock Construction, 7 p.m.

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits vs. Moss Builders, 8 p.m.

Adrian Griffin Interiors bests Moss Builders

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

ANNA MARIA – With no adult indoor soccer play last week, the sports focus on Anna Maria Island was flag football. Ending February with youth gridiron action and starting the month of March with adult flag football play, the Island’s community center moves into round one of the playoffs this week.

In the 8- to 10-year-old league, team Sato Real Estate had a smooth game against AMI Coconuts, winning 34-6. Brandon Sato made his mark with two throwing touchdowns and running himself for two.

Teammate Grayson Cohen scored 14 points, catching for two TDs from Sato and successfully finding the end zone for a one- and a two-point conversion against the AMI Coconuts defense.

Bodhi Silenzi put his mark on the game with a big point after, adding to the Sato Real Estate scoring.

For AMI Coconuts, Paul ten Haaf threw for a touchdown to Camden Rudacille. Ten Haaf finished the game with three flag pulls and an interception. Rudacille added to his game stats with two defensive stops.

In a surprising loss to Adrian Griffin Interiors, the younger Moss Builders team had their first loss of the season by a single touchdown. Jordan Steele hit Silas deWitt for the single team score for six points. Steele and DeWitt had three big interceptions to stop the Moss offense.

Moss’ offense just could not click and did not find the endzone in the regular season closer.

In the third game of the week, the Cheesecake Cuties team defeated the Beach House Waterfront Restaurant squad by a touchdown. QB Jermaine Goode threw two touchdowns for Beach House, with the ball finding Leo Tyler and Asher Patel. Defensively, Aiden Guess and Tyler each read the play of the Cheesecake Cuties QB for interceptions.

Patel put five flag pulls into the record books for Beach House, helping to keep the game close despite the loss.

Team Chick-fil-A eked out the three-point win against Solid Rock Construction. Quarterback Prince Izear threw for two touchdowns, both to Ruby Kesten.

Parker Svoboda and Kesten each added one point to the scoreboard with a point after the team’s TD.

Nolan Anderson scored on the ground for Chick-fil-A finding the endzone.

Rushing the football for 18 points, Matthew Darak and Carson Long ran for three touchdowns, two by Darak. Jedi Smith had a one-point conversion, contributing to the Solid Rock scoring.

Defensively, the Solid Rock crew held their own and kept the team solidly in the game with a total of 20 flag pulls. Stops by Eligh Roadman, Darak, Long and Smith helped make it a three-point win for the Chick-fil-A team.

The middle schoolers in the 11- to 14-year-old league had four high-scoring games with plenty of action to close the regular season. With the final score of 38-37, HSH Design beat Progressive Cabinetry.

Tanner Miller threw for six touchdowns, splitting the catches between Landyn Dowell and Kaleb Romagnino. Dowell and Romagnino each had a point after conversion for a total of two points.

On defense, in addition to the team’s 17 stops, Daniel Lukens sacked Kellan Hunt, Progressive Cabinetry QB. Teammate Sterling Holiday broke up the opponent’s offensive drive with a beautiful interception.

On the other side of the football, the Progressive Cabinetry team played hard and held their own. Hunt finished the game with five touchdown passes, splitting them between Braxton Anderson, Jackson Goodhue and Jack McCarthy.

Scoring one point for his team after a critical touchdown, Theo Aupelle was Hunt’s successful target. McCarthy and Hunt each had two interceptions against the HSH offense, along with one for six points by McCarthy.

Turner Worth was the offensive option for Moss Builders, throwing for one TD, mixing up the plays along with QB Mason Moss. Moss added an interception to his game status. Also working on defense, Solid Rock Electrical’s Estella Long had an amazing game. Long finished with four catches and three defensive stops. In addition, Long had her own pick six of an interception of a Moss Builders’ throw.

The Solid Rock scoring included a touchdown from Charlie Serra to Dominik Zupa, as well as an additional one-point conversion by Elijah Casciani.

With solid flag football action in the three leagues, the semifinal games next week should continue to entertain players, friends and families at The Center.

 

 

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

FEB. 26

 

YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE – WEEK 7

 

 

#3 Sato Real Estate (5-2) 34

#8 AMI Coconuts (1-6) 6

 

 

#4 Adrian Griffin Interiors (5-2) 6

#1 Moss Builders (6-1) 0

 

 

#2 Cheesecake Cuties (6-1) 18

#7 Beach House Waterfront Restaurant (1-6) 12

 

 

#5 Chick-fil-A (2-5) 22

#6 Solid Rock Construction (2-5) 19

 

 

FEB. 27

YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL

11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE – WEEK 7

 

 

#5 HSH Design (3-4) 38

#6 Progressive Cabinetry (2-5) 37

 

 

#1 Moss Builders (7-0) 35

#4 Solid Rock Electrical (4-3) 14

 

 

#3 Solid Rock Air Conditioning (5-2) 24

#7 Wings N Things (2-5) 22

 

 

#2 Shady Lady Horticultural Services (5-2) 52

#8 Freckled Fin (0-7) 6

 

 

FEB. 29

ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL – WEEK 7

 

 

#7 Gulf Drive Café (2-5) 27

#3 Sandbar Seafood & Spirits (4-3) 14

 

 

#2 Moss Builders (5-2) 34

#5 Solid Rock Construction (4-3) 29

 

 

#1 Floridian Mortgage (6-1) 32

#4 Salty Printing (4-3) 13

 

 

#6 Slim’s Place (3-4) 57

#8 Edible Cookie Dough Café (0-7) 33

Slim’s Place captures first win of season

Slim’s Place captures first win of season

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

ANNA MARIA – In a close one, Floridian Mortgage earned its second win of the season against team Moss Builders 23-19 in the adult co-ed flag football league at the Island’s community center. The Moss squad’s loss was its first of the season after three games.

The ladies of the field showed what tight coverage should look like, as Jasmine Muldoon, playing for Floridian Mortgage, and Moss Builders’ Evelyn Long were a tough match-up for two halves of play.

The game stats show just how close of a pairing the girls on the field were. Muldoon finished the game with three catches, including one for a touchdown, while Long had seven receptions and one TD nab.

On defense, Muldoon had four critical stops and Long snagged three flags. Several long throws were broken up by one of the two key team players, making for fun excitement on the field.

Overall, the defense of team Floridian Mortgage outplayed the Moss Builders’ offense with seven flag pulls and three total interceptions, including one for a touchdown. Offensively, Floridian’s success with the point after attempts helped with game momentum and added three points to the scoreboard.

Travis Bates, Octavious Cole and Jackson Hayes each had a one-point conversion catch.

Chase Richardson threw for Floridian Mortgage, hitting his receivers for three TDs. Richardson’s targets with good hands in addition to Muldoon were Tim Holly and Cole.

On the other side of the football, Richardson read the plays for two interceptions, while teammate Cody Allen caught the ball on defense for Floridian. Allen had two flag pulls and Hayes had a single stop to add to the winning team’s accolades.

The loss for Moss Builders came down to the final seconds of play. Zachary Long and Ryan Moss shared the credit for touchdown throws. Long’s pass to Moss showed the team’s diversity and why they continue to prove to be a team to beat this season.

Long scored his team’s only point after a Moss touchdown. The other two attempts failed due to the strong Floridian Mortgage defense. Long also had two defensive stops for Moss Builders.

Jesse Skipper caught the Moss pass for six of the 19 team points. Defensively, Jonathan Moss and Skipper each had one flag pull that contributed to the team’s efforts in their third game of the season.

R. Moss pulled two flags while playing on defense to help keep his team in the game until the final play.

Team Salty Printing earned their second win last week against Solid Rock Construction, 30-12. The loss was the first for the Solid Rock team.

In the third game of the night, the Slim’s Place squad won its first game of the season in a shutout against team Gulf Drive Café, 19-0.

Losing by 10 points, Edible Cookie Dough Café could not outplay Sandbar Seafood & Spirits. Team Sandbar goes into week four with two wins and a single loss.

 

 

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

 

Jan. 29 – Youth Flag Football

8- to 10-Year-Old League – Week 3

 

 

Moss Builders (3-0) 45

Solid Rock Construction (1-2) 12

 

 

Adrian Griffin Interiors (2-1) 13

Chick-Fil-A (0-3) 6

 

 

Cheesecake Cuties (3-0) 26

Sato Real Estate (2-1) 6

 

 

Beach House/Waterfront Restaurant (1-2) 21

AMI Coconuts (0-3) 18

 

 

Jan. 30 – Youth Flag Football

11- to 14-Year-Old League – Week 3

 

 

Moss Builders (3-0) 20

Solid Rock Air Conditioning (2-1) 7

 

 

Solid Rock Electrical (2-1) 26

Wings N Things (0-3) 14

 

 

Progressive Cabinetry (2-1) 32

Freckled Fin (0-3) 6

 

 

Shady Lady Horticultural Services (2-1) 24

HSH Design (1-2) 12

 

 

Feb. 1

Adult Co-Ed Indoor Soccer – Week 1

 

 

ServisFirst Bank 23

Mi-Box 10

 

 

Sato Real Estate 7

Slim’s Place 7

 

 

Bucky Construction 9

Pool America 7

 

 

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football – Week 3

 

 

Floridian Mortgage (2-1) 23

Moss Builders (2-1) 19

 

 

Salty Printing (2-1) 30

Solid Rock Construction (2-1) 12

 

 

Slim’s Place (1-2) 19

Gulf Drive Café (1-2) 0

 

 

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits (2-1) 22

Edible Cookie Dough Café (0-3) 12

Winter flag football action returns

Winter flag football action returns

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

ANNA MARIA – The winter flag football season kicked off last week at The Center of Anna Maria Island. Despite a winter storm, the 8- to 10-year-old and adult leagues managed to play through the rain and cold.

The 11- to 14-year-olds were rained out, making up the game this week.

Eight youth teams played under the threat of rain last Tuesday. Two teams blew out their opponents.

Sato Real Estate and Moss Builders were dominant with the ball and on defense, keeping Beach House/Waterfront Restaurant and Chick-Fil-A, respectively, out of the endzone and scoreless.

Team Cheesecake Cuties were victorious over the Adrian Griffin Interiors squad, 22-6. In a close game, Solid Rock Construction was denied the win by team AMI Coconuts. Winning by six points, AMI Coconuts shares the top of the ranks after week one play.

Narrowly escaping the storms, the adults took to the Island gridiron last Thursday night starting with team Edible Cookie Dough Café, a new team sponsor, and Gulf Drive Café going head-to-head.

In an exciting game, Gulf Drive Café won by 14 points, despite a strong battle and comeback by their opponents.

Dallas Buchholz led the Edible Cookie Dough Café team as the quarterback. With three passing touchdowns, Buchholz hit Alonzo Lemus for two scores, while Steven Pavina grabbed the other scoring catch.

Pavina had a strong opening game with four catches, three flag pulls and two interceptions, including one for a TD. Alex Besaw scored the lone two-point conversion, helping with the team’s 26 total points in the game.

Defensively, Besaw had a stop, along with flag pulls by teammates Buchholz and John Sevier.

Helping Gulf Drive Café win the opening game of the season, Zack Price also threw for three touchdowns. Hitting Jaden Grant, Anthony McCance and Brandon Rolland for 18 receiving points, Grant also put up six points in a running play.

The defensive strength of the Gulf Drive team made the difference as Grant and Price each had four big flag pulls. Teammates Hayley Gerken and Rolland had single stops each.

The Gulf Drive Café interceptions, including two pick sixes, contributed to the team’s first win of the season. Karri Stephens and Grant each had the all-important defensive catches and took the football to the endzone. Stephens had three interceptions in the game.

Adding to the team’s momentum in the game, Grant had a two-point conversion, while McCance and Rolland each had successful point after catches.

Rounding out the night, Solid Rock Construction beat Slim’s Place by three points. New team sponsor Floridian Mortgage shut out Sandbar Seafood & Spirits, winning 14-0.

In the final game of the night and closing out week one of flag football play, team Moss Builders eked out the win over Salty Printing by three points.

With weeks of play remaining, winter flag football looks to be another exciting season of youth and adult action.

 

 

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

JAN. 16 – YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL

 

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

 

Cheesecake Cuties 22

Adrian Griffin Interiors 6

 

 

Sato Real Estate 24

Beach House/Waterfront Restaurant 0

 

 

AMI Coconuts 19

Solid Rock Construction 13

 

 

Moss Builders 37

Chick-Fil-A 0

 

 

JAN. 18 – ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL

 

 

Gulf Drive Café 40

Edible Cookie Dough Café 26

 

 

Solid Rock Construction 37

Slim’s Place 34

 

 

Floridian Mortgage 14

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 0

 

 

Moss Builders 29

Salty Printing 26

Eighth-seed Slim’s outkicks top-ranked Moss

Eighth-seed Slim’s outkicks top-ranked Moss

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

ANNA MARIA – With youth soccer taking the week off for fall festivities, the adult co-ed recreational soccer league was the only play on The Center’s pitches last week.

Four exciting and competitive games last Thursday night were played by the eight teams whose members fought hard for seven weeks in the regular season. The teams that finished in the bottom half of the rankings did not make it easy on their opponents, leading to two shootouts in overtime.

In a close match-up, Gulfview Windows & Doors, led by captain Keith Mahoney, battled it out against a worthy adversary, team Sato Real Estate. Josh Sato, captain for Sato Real Estate, worked with his friends and teammates for two halves of quarter-final soccer only to come up short in the end.

The Sato squad finished the regular season in fourth place, just ahead of Gulfview. With nine saves in the game, keeper Ben Sato and the team’s defensive efforts let one too many in the goal.

Giving B. Sato time to run on the field, J.D. Webb took over as goalie for a short stint. One Gulfview shot got by Webb, contributing to Mahoney’s team’s victory.

Raul Loera saved nine shots as the goalie for Gulfview, while offensively Leo Gonzalez secured a goal and made an assist to Jesus Martinez. Martinez finished the game with a hat trick, pushing his team to the next level of playoff battle.

Amy Ivin and James Noblett played tough offensively for Sato Real Estate, each scoring a goal to close out the season for the team. J. Sato was credited with an assist.

Game two of the night was a defensive battle royale with a final score of 1-1 at the end of timed play. Between three goalies on two teams, 20 goals were saved in the 44 minutes of official regulation play.

For Ross Built Custom Homes, keeper Max Gazzo made 13 recorded saves, while Chris Klotz and Nate Welch shared the goalie responsibilities with three and four saves, respectively, for team Pool America.

Scoring goals was a struggle for both teams. Daniel Hampton scored Ross Built’s only goal during timed play off of team captain Greg Ross’ assist. Opponent Murat Akay scored the only goal for Pool America during the two halves of the game.

Pool America’s team captain Eduardo Schlueter kept his team’s head in the game leading to the night’s first shootout in overtime. Out of five assigned penalty kick shooters for each team, there was only one winner.

Under the pressure of taking the PK shots, Ross Built shooters Ethan Hampton and Andrew Ross both made the first two shots for the team, and that was all that was needed to move their team forward to another week of soccer.

Nate Welch was the first kicker for Pool America and the only shooter for the team to successfully make a PK attempt.

The 8 p.m. game started a bit late but proved to be worth the wait. In the final seconds of the game, team captain Kevin Roman proved why he is a clutch player in the league, controlling the soccer ball and striking the game-winning shot.

Roman’s much-needed goal gave him another hat trick in the season, finishing with three points in the game. Heilo Gomez’s single goal helped make the Gulf Drive victory possible, along with Javier Rivera’s assist and the team’s strong defense.

Once again, goalkeeper Charles “Tuna” McCracken saved the day with nine huge stops. McCracken’s counterpart, Robb Marshall, had a strong season and game with eight saves for the Sandbar Seafood & Spirits team.

Led by Jake Parsons, the Sandbar squad finished low in the rankings, but fought hard all season and made the quarter-final playoff game an exciting nailbiter.

With the crowd cheering with every shot, John Cruz, Justin Fields and Alex Villanueva each got the Sandbar supporters roaring with their goals. Scoreless last Thursday, Sandbar’s Matt Staggs had two assists, contributing to the W.

Those who stayed for the fourth and final round one playoff battle were happy they did. The action-packed game between first-place Moss Builders and last-place Slim’s Place did not disappoint and led to another shootout.

Both team’s goalies, team captain Ryan Moss for Moss Builders and Steve Oelfke for Slim’s Place, finished regulation play with six saves.

Coming off Gerardo Urbiola Bolanos’ pass, Moss Builder’s Erica Nielsen scored the only goal for her team, while Kris Yavalar put the only point on the scoreboard for Slim’s Place.

At the final whistle, signaling the end of regulation time, Slim’s Place’s captain, Yuri Pereira, pulled his shooters together.

Dean Hinterstoisser and Urbiola Bolanos were the first two shooters for Moss Builders. Both players made their shots, perceivably setting the tone for future PKs, especially after the missed shot by Steve Adair, shooting first for Slim’s.

The three subsequent Moss Builders misses, along with goals made by Slim’s Place’s Thomas Mangotic and league founding players Damir Glavan and Yavalar sealed the deal for the underdog team’s rise to the semifinal bracket.

To start the playoff action this week, Slim’s Place will face #5 Gulfview Windows & Doors on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. In the second semifinal game, third-ranked Ross Built Custom Homes matches up against the No. 2 regular season finishers, Gulf Drive Café.

The final two that survive Thursday night’s battles on the Island soccer field will play to see who takes home the Hayward Cup honors on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.

This week’s soccer play leads up to the “smiledeep” soccer tournament on Saturday, Nov. 11 at The Center, honoring Paul “Ace” Hayward, of the Hayward Cup. The tournament is a fundraiser benefitting the community center’s soccer programs. The day’s soccer action will start at 9 a.m. with open play to watch with friends and family if you are not part of the action.

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

NOV. 2 – ADULT CO-ED SOCCER

QUARTER-FINAL PLAYOFF GAMES

 

 

#5 Gulfview Windows & Doors 4

#4 Sato Real Estate 2

 

 

#3 Ross Built Custom Homes 1 winner in overtime PKs (2-1)

#6 Pool America 1

 

 

#2 Gulf Drive Café 4

#7 Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 3

 

 

#8 Slim’s Place 1 winner in overtime PKs (3-2)

#1 Moss Builders 1

Team Gulf Drive Café hands Moss Builders first loss

Team Gulf Drive Café hands Moss Builders first loss

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

ANNA MARIA – Going into the final game of adult co-ed soccer regular season play, team Pool America seems to be gelling at the right time. At the start of the season, the 2-4-1 team struggled to find their footing on The Center pitch.

Looking to repeat their championship success from last season, captain Eduardo Schlueter led the Pool America team to its second win against third-ranked Ross Built Custom Homes.

The Pool America squad was the underdog in this match-up based on their record, but the Ross Built defense could not contain the scoring power behind their opponents last Thursday night.

Scorers Murat Akay, Enrique Claderas, Chris Klotz and Sam Parker were among the teammates who kept Ross Built keeper Max Gazzo busy at the net.

Akay and Claderas each had two goals for Pool America, while Klotz and Parker had solo goals. Teammate Drew Jacobson has one assist in the game to help his team score against the Ross Built defense.

Despite his never-ending efforts in goal, Gazzo’s 11 physical and fully committed saves just were not enough for Ross Built Custom Homes. Gazzo’s counterpart, Nate Welch, played keeper for Pool America and was credited with six saves.

Team captain Greg Ross’ solid play assisted Ethan Hampton’s scoring effort and his single goal. Ross had a goal of his own, showing why he is one of the most consistent scorers in the league.

These two teams find themselves going head-to-head in the first round of the fall soccer season’s playoffs on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

Last week, in the second game Thursday night, brothers Josh and Ben Sato shared the team Sato Real Estate goalkeeping duties against seventh-place Sandbar Seafood & Spirits. The Satos had a total of 10 saves, with three made by B. Sato.

In the fourth-ranked position, Sato Real Estate showed why the team was the heavy favorite coming into the game. Strong on both the defensive and offensive side, the Sato Real Estate team won the game against the Sandbar 7-3.

Sato’s scoring came off the foot of James Troxler with a hat trick, and scores by Amy Ivin and James Noblett, each with two goals. Her ability on the field, with a scoring assist, shows why Ivin is always selected early like a hot commodity.

Gulfview Windows & Doors won 2-1 against team Slim’s Place. Finishing the regular season with one win, Slim’s Place’s keeper Steve Oelfke kept on his toes for 40 minutes of regulation play and 16 credited stops.

Soccer coach Stephen Adair had Slim’s Place’s only goal in the team’s last regular season game.

On the other side of the pitch, captain Keith Mahoney and Jesus Martinez each scored for fifth place Gulfview. Goalkeeper responsibilities were in the hands of Leo Gonzalez and Chris Culhane, each with six saves in the night.

Culhane, who typically plays on the pitch where needed, showed his goalie talents with six big saves to help his team to their win. Raul Loera came up with six stops of his own against the last seed Slim’s Place.

Gulfview Windows & Doors plays against Sato Real Estate to kick off playoff action at The Center this Thursday at 6 p.m. Moss Builders takes on Slim’s Place at the end of the night.

After six weeks of soccer action at The Center, second place Gulf Drive Café defeated the previously undefeated Moss Builders team with a final score of 5-1. Holding their opponent to only one point, the Gulf Drive Café team earned their fifth win of the season.

Charles “Tuna” McCracken had 10 championship-caliber saves. His teammates put the points on the scoreboard, including two by captain Kevin Roman. Single points scored by Hello Gomez, Javier Rivera and Juan Vega solidly paved the team’s way to playing the Sandbar squad in the quarter-final round of playoffs.

Gulf Drive’s Eliza Faillace had an assist in the team’s scoring against Moss Builders.

The single goal by James Roadman was the only point on the scoreboard for the Moss Builders team.

Captain Ryan Moss and Karri Stephens shared the goalie position last Thursday night. The four stops by Moss and two by Stephens in goal were not enough to keep the team undefeated after seven games of regular season play.

With eight teams going into the adult soccer playoffs at The Center, only two will take to the field on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. to start the Paul “Ace” Hayward Cup championship game.

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

OCT. 24

 

YOUTH SOCCER WEEK 7

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

 

#1 Moss Builders (6-0-0) 3

#2 Solid Rock Construction (3-3-0) 0

 

 

#6 AMI Coconuts (1-3-2) 2

#5 La Creperie (2-4-1) 0

 

 

#4 Adrian Griffin Interiors (2-2-2) 4

#7 The Porch (1-4-1) 2

 

 

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

 

#2 Solid Rock Construction (4-4-0) 4

#4 HSH Design (2-5-1) 0

 

 

#3 The Gitt Team/KW on the Water (3-4-1) 4

#1 Cheesecake Cuties (5-1-2) 1

 

 

OCT. 26

ADULT CO-ED SOCCER

WEEK 6 MAKE-UP GAMES

 

#6 Pool America (2-4-1) 6

#3 Ross Built Custom Homes (4-3-0) 2

 

 

#4 Sato Real Estate (4-3-0) 7

#7 Sandbar Seafood & Spirits (1-5-1) 3

 

 

#5 Gulfview Windows & Doors (3-4-0) 2

#8 Slim’s Place (1-5-1) 1

 

 

#2 Gulf Drive Café (5-1-1) 5

#1 Moss Builders (6-1-0) 1

Island youth soccer heats up as weather cools down

Island youth soccer heats up as weather cools down

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

ANNA MARIA – As the youth soccer season starts heading toward the playoffs and an October chill fills the air, team Moss Builders and team Cheesecake Cuties dominate the 8- to 10-year-old and 11- to 13-year-old leagues, respectively.

Both teams, with five wins, find themselves at the top of the ranks, with a two-game lead on their closest opponents.

Moss Builders shut out The Porch last Tuesday night, 6-0. The hat tricks by Parker Svoboda and Gunnar Maize showed the offensive dominance of the Moss team. Each teammate assisted each other in a goal.

Island youth soccer heats up as weather cools down
Thane Maize dribbles the ball down the field for AMI Coconuts with Air & Energy’s Mason Bekkerus closing in from behind last Monday night in The Center youth soccer’s youngest league. – Monica Simpson | Sun

The Moss offense kept The Porch goalie busy with six wonderful stops. For the victors, goalie duties went to Miles Moss, who stopped two shots, and Everett Hood, who had a single save in the game.

Capturing their second win of the season, Isola Bella Italian Eatery defeated the second-ranked Solid Rock Construction. The number three team now has a 2-2-2 record with the 5-2 win.

With four goals, Bailey Shenbaum got past the goal-keeping talents of Solid Rock’s Carson Long. Leo Tyler is credited with a solo goal for Isola Bella, along with Chandler LaPensee’s assist.

Long’s eight saves for the Solid Rock Construction squad helped keep his team in the game. Offensively, Matthew Darak shot and scored on two of his attempts.

Trinity Miller put three saves in the game stats for Isola Bella.

Still looking for the team’s first win, AMI Coconuts gridlocked 1-1 at the end of regulation play against team Adrian Griffin Interiors. The low-scoring game was not for the lack of shots taken against the opposing defenses.

Island youth soccer heats up as weather cools down
Fighting for position on The Center pitch, Mason Bekkerus and Thane Maize led the crowd in last Monday night’s developmental game for team Air & Energy and team AMI Coconuts. – Monica Simpson | Sun

Andre Harwood made eight nice stops for the Adrian Griffin Interiors team, while his counterpart, Evangeline Zupa, was moving and grooving, saving 13 shots in the game.

Goal scoring came courtesy of AMI Coconuts’ Beau Canup, while on the other side of the field, Joseph Caballero did the scoring for his team.

The La Creperie team, ranked fourth, had a bye week.

With playoffs starting in November, the matchups for the final games of the season are still up in the air.

 

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

OCT. 17

YOUTH SOCCER

WEEK 6 – 8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

 

#1 Moss Builders (5-0-0) 6

#6 The Porch (1-3-1) 0

 

 

#3 Isola Bella Italian Eatery (2-2-2) 5

#2 Solid Rock Construction (3-2-0) 2

 

 

#5 Adrian Griffin Interiors (1-2-2) 1

#7 AMI Coconuts (0-3-2) 1

 

 

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

 

#3 HSH Design (2-4-1) 5

#4 The Gitt Team/KW on the Water (2-4-1) 4

 

 

#1 Cheesecake Cuties (5-0-2) 3

#2 Solid Rock Construction (3-4-0) 0

 

 

OCT. 19

ADULT CO-ED SOCCER WEEK 7

 

 

#5 Gulf Drive Café (4-1-1) 7

#7 Sandbar Seafood & Spirits (1-4-1) 0

 

 

#8 Slim’s Place (1-4-1) 6

#3 Ross Built Custom Homes (4-2-0) 2

 

 

#2 Gulfview Windows & Doors (2-4-0) 8

#6 Pool America (1-4-1) 6

 

 

#1 Moss Builders (6-0-0) 4

#4 Sato Real Estate (3-3-0) 1

Youth soccer teams hit stride

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

ANNA MARIA – The Center’s youth soccer leagues completed week five of recreational sports last week with five hard-fought games. In the first game Tuesday night, The Porch narrowly defeated team AMI Coconuts 3-2, in the 8- to 10-year-old league.

It was the first win of the season for The Porch while their opponents played this week also looking for their first victory.

The Porch’s Titus Moss had two goals and an assist, while teammate Luke Willing shot one goal and passed the soccer ball to Moss on one of his successful strikes.

Goalkeeper Santiago Cantero made four saves for The Porch. Working non-stop on the other side of the pitch, Kason Price had 13 stops for AMI Coconuts.

The team’s offensive charge was led by Beau Canup and Simon Messinger, each with one goal in the match.

With Adrian Griffin Interiors off with a bye week, Isola Bella Italian Eatery matched up against the undefeated Moss Builders. Keeping their record unblemished after four games, the Moss team outscored team Isola Bella by one goal, 3-2.

Asher Patel’s hot foot scored the two goals for his team, keeping them in the game. Teammate Trinity Miller worked hard to protect the Isola Bella Italian Eatery team goal. Miller had four stops against the Moss Builders offense.

Striking hard was Gunner Maize with two goals. Parker Svoboda scored a solo goal, helping the Moss Builders team go into week six playing one game ahead of the Solid Rock Construction team.

Keeping Isola Bella to two points, Miles Moss had seven saves for the Moss squad.

Matthew Darak’s hat trick was no match for the La Creperie team. Despite tough play and eight saves by La Creperie goalie Sawyer Leibfried, the team could not make enough shots to win.

Solid Rock goalie Carson Long made eight critical stops for his team. Louis Bacon scored the only point for La Creperie, leaving the team with a 1-2-2 record.

In the 11- to 13-year-old youth soccer league, the other Solid Rock Construction team held on to second place with the 6-3 win against The Gitt Team/KW on the Water.

Luke Dellenger scored three goals in the game, while teammates Turner Worth and David Zupa shot for two goals and a single respectively.

Sharing the goalkeeping duties for Solid Rock was Jack Zaccagnino with five saves, denying The Gitt Team offense during his time at the net, and Obi Roadman with a big stop.

Despite the loss, The Gitt Team never stopped fighting for position on the field and the shot. Leading the offensive scoring was Callin Westfall with two goals.

Ryk Kesten scored a goal for his team. Austin Guess is credited with three nice saves against the Solid Rock shooters.

Also with a 6-3 final score, team Cheesecake Cutie defeated HSH Design. Cecelia Kroth scored two points for HSH. Sterling Holiday got past Cheesecake goalie Thomas Holly with a goal of his own.

Holly finished the game with four saves. Counterpart Cyrus Ryan made six stops and Jasmine Sparks had two while in goal for HSH Design.

Doing the scoring for the Cheesecake squad with single goals each were Tristan Hagey, Josiah MacDonald, Charlee Maize and Kegan McGlade.

Preston LaPensee scored two goals and made two assists for the winning team, helping the Cuties team move to a 3-0-2 record.

The Cheesecake Cuties team remains at the top of their league, with the final regular season games to be played on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at The Center of Anna Maria Island.

 

SUN SCOREBOARD

OCT. 10 – YOUTH SOCCER WEEK 5

 

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

The Porch (1-2-1) 3

AMI Coconuts (0-3-1) 2

 

 

Moss Builders (4-0-0) 3

Isola Bella Italian Eatery (1-2-2) 2

 

 

Solid Rock Construction (3-1-0) 3

La Creperie (2-2-1) 1

 

 

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

 

Solid Rock Construction (3-2-0) 6

The Gitt Team/KW on the Water (2-2-1) 3

 

 

Cheesecake Cuties (3-0-2) 6

HSH Design (0-4-1) 3

AMI pickleball players have many options

Pickleball players have options on AMI

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Pickleball, Sports.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Pickleball players have many places to play the sport on and around the Island.

The cooler weather on the horizon bodes well for those who enjoy playing pickleball on the outdoor courts in Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. Pickleball can also be played at the open-air, $2.9 million C.V. Walton Racquet Center pickleball courts at Manatee County’s G.T. Bray Recreation Center in west Bradenton. In August, “Pickleball Magazine” included the G.T. Bray pickleball facility in its “25 Great Places to Play Pickleball” cover story.

Often described as America’s fastest-growing sport, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong in a game played on a court that resembles, but is smaller than, a tennis court. The smaller court and use of paddles and a perforated plastic ball make pickleball an ideal sport for players of all ages. The sport is extremely popular with those 55 and older.

AMI pickleball players have many options
The G.T. Bray pickleball facility has 20 courts, including 14 covered courts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The USA Pickleball organization is the national governing body for the sport.

“The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game,” the USA Pickleball website says.

“A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20×44 feet. The net height is 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches in the middle. The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net. Courts can be constructed specifically for pickleball or they can be converted using existing tennis or badminton courts,” according to the website.

CBS News and FOX News recently reported vacant and unused office spaces and shopping malls around the country have been converted into thriving indoor pickleball courts.

AMI pickleball players have many options
A pickleball court is smaller than a tennis court. – Pickleball USA | Submitted

Island courts

The Center of Anna Maria Island offers three outdoor pickleball courts and three more indoor courts inside the gymnasium.

AMI pickleball players have many options
The Center also offers indoor pickleball play. – The Center | Submitted

Folks have been playing pickleball at The Center since 2010. According to Executive Director Chris Culhane, The Center had 3,300 pickleball player check-ins in 2022. That figure includes repeat players, including those who play several days a week.
Pickleball is free to play with a Center membership and The Center offers daily, weekly, monthly and annual membership options.

The Center also offers indoor and outdoor pickleball lessons for those who want to learn the game or improve their play.

“We have multiple instructors. During peak season, the pickleball courts are very busy but our instructors do a great job of fitting in lessons whenever there’s court availability,” Center Recreation Director Tyler Bekkerus said.

AMI pickleball players have many options
Lou Barolo Park in Bradenton Beach features a pickleball court. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In 2015, the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency paid for a public pickleball court to be installed at Lou Barolo Park on Highland Avenue, near the police station. On the north side of the city, the Herb Dolan Park basketball court is striped in a manner that allows it to also be used as a pickleball court.

The Bradenton Beach City Commission is currently considering spending $38,000 to install two new pickleball courts at Herb Dolan Park.

AMI pickleball players have many options
The city of Holmes Beach has two pickleball courts at City Field and two nearby tennis courts that can also be used as pickleball courts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

The city of Holmes Beach provides two pickleball courts and two tennis courts that can also be used as pickleball courts in the City Field recreational area. There’s no fee to play pickleball at the Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach courts.

County complex

In August, Manatee County issued a press release regarding “Pickleball Magazine” including the G.T. Bray pickleball facility in its July/August cover story.

AMI pickleball players have many options
“Pickleball Magazine” mentioned the G.T. Bray pickleball complex in its July\August issue. – Pickleball Magazine | Submitted

“We’ve compiled a list of just some of the wonderful places to play pickleball in the open air around the country,” the story notes.

The story features a brief overview of the G.T. Bray facility: “Opened in 2022, the new C.V. Walton Racquet Center pickleball courts at the G.T. Bray Recreation Center are a terrific place to play. There are 20 courts, 14 of which are covered and include large ceiling fans to keep the air circulating during the hot summer months. Reservations for the outdoor courts may be made six days in advance. The reservation line opens at noon. Open play is available daily.”

AMI pickleball players have many options
The G.T. Bray pickleball complex is among the finest pickleball facilities in the United States. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In the press release, Deputy Director of Manatee County Sports and Leisure Services Molly White said, “The G. T. Bray pickleball complex is a state-of-the-art facility. It’s no surprise to our users to be named one of the best. We have a great community and we are happy to be able to meet their pickleball needs while attracting tournaments with players from all over the United States.”
County Commission Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge said, “It’s great to see recognition like this. It is an acknowledgment of the ongoing commitment to keeping our county amenities world-class.”

AMI pickleball players have many options
The G.T. Bray pickleball complex features a shaded area where players can rest between games. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

When providing additional information about the G.T. Bray pickleball complex, Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan said, “During season, we average about 1,000 participants in a membership that includes pickleball and we accommodate over 27,000 participants annually who pay a daily fee to play. We offer a variety of programs throughout the year including leagues for all levels, private lessons, clinics and tournaments that attract players from all over the United States. We also offer open play on a daily basis, with the largest turnout between 9 a.m. and noon. With 10 dedicated open-play courts during this timeframe, divided into three playing levels, there is always a court available for all levels of play.”

AMI pickleball players have many options
Players of all skill levels enjoy the G.T. Bray pickleball complex in Bradenton. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

While playing pickleball at the county facility, Jeff Brooke said, “I think the facility’s amazing. There are different levels of play that make it fun for beginners and fun for the more experienced players as well. There’s a lot of shade and the facility is run very well.”

To reserve a G.T. Bray court, call 941-742-5973. The fee to play is $5 per day. The G.T. Bray Recreation Center is located at 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W. in Bradenton.

Team Moss Builders leads youth and adult leagues

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

ANNA MARIA – Just past the midway mark in the Island’s adult co-ed soccer fall season, the Moss Builders team is on top and undefeated with a 4-0-0 record. Team Moss Builders in the 8- to 10-year-old league is also undefeated with three weeks of play completed.

With a 2-0-0 record and having completed their bye week, Moss Builders has four teams hot on their heels. Teams sponsored by Adrian Griffin Interiors, La Creperie and Isola Bella Italian Eatery all have one win under their belts. Isola Bella has two ties, while their competitors both have a loss and a tie in the season.

Team Solid Rock Construction had the week off, retaining their 1-1-0 record.

The younger Moss team won by two goals against AMI Coconuts last Tuesday night. Isola Bella Italian Eatery captured their first win against Adrian Griffin Interiors. The Porch team goes into week four looking for their first win after a loss against Le Creperie.

Highlights for the league include the 10 saves by goalie Santiago Cantero for The Porch and a hat trick for Silas Whitehead playing for La Creperie.

Cheesecake Cuties leads the 11- to 13-year-old league by one point over The Gitt Team/KW on the Water with a 1-0-1 record. The Gitt Team has a single win and loss so far in the season.

Solid Rock Construction holds on to third place after a loss to Cheesecake Cuties. HSH Designs continues to work hard on the field despite struggling to get a W.

Jack Zaccagnino, playing for Solid Rock, topped the goalkeeper last week with six saves, but Cheesecake Cuties’ Thomas Holly had five stops. Also with five saves in their games were keeper Austin Guess, playing for The Gitt Team, and HSH’s Cyrus Ryan.

Topping the scoring for the older youth league, Renan Kesten shot four goals for The Gitt Team.

Winning the first game last Thursday night in the adult league, Ross Built Custom Homes got the win from a Sato Real Estate forfeit, the team’s first loss of the season.

Struggling to find their first victory, Pool America lost to Sandbar Seafood & Spirits by one goal. The win was the first of the season for the Sandbar team.

The Gulf Drive Café team won their second game by a single goal against Gulfview Windows & Doors.

Also struggling to put a win in the statistics this season, Slim’s Place lost to Moss Builders 5-2.

Adult goalie accolades go to Charles “Tuna” McCracken with 12 saves for Gulf Drive Café. Coming in a close second was Chris Klotz playing for Pool America with 11 stops.

Solid scoring throughout the league, with all of the teams having a roster of strong shooters, resulted in three players with two goals in their games. Pool America’s Murat Akay, Gulf Drive Café’s Eliza Faillace and Moss Builders’ Dean Hinterstoisser each put two points on the scoreboard for their teams.

Island soccer action continues at The Center with playoffs going into November.

SUN SCOREBOARD

SEPT. 26

 

YOUTH SOCCER

WEEK 3

 

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

Moss Builders (2-0-0) 3

AMI Coconuts (0-2-1) 1

 

 

Isola Bella Italian Eatery (1-0-2) 3

Adrian Griffin Interiors (1-1-1) 0

 

 

La Creperie (1-1-1) 3

The Porch (0-1-1) 1

 

 

Solid Rock Construction – bye week

 

 

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

The Gitt Team/KW on the Water (2-1-0) 7

HSH Design (0-2-1) 2

 

 

Cheesecake Cuties (2-0-1) 4

Solid Rock Construction (1-2-0) 3

 

 

SEPT. 28

 

ADULT CO-ED SOCCER

WEEK 4

 

 

Ross Built Custom Homes (3-1-0) – winner by forfeit

Sato Real Estate (3-1-0) L

 

 

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits (1-2-1) 4

Pool America (0-3-1) 3

 

 

Gulf Drive Café (2-1-1) 4

Gulfview Windows & Doors (1-3-0) 3

 

 

Moss Builders (4-0-0) 5

Slim’s Place (0-3-1) 2

Friends, family raise funds for The Center at LaPensee Bowling Tourname

Friends, family raise funds for The Center at LaPensee Bowling Tournament

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Sold out again this year, the Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament was a huge fundraising success on Saturday night at Bowlero Bradenton.

With 64 lanes sold and teams of six bowling in support of The Center of Anna Maria Island, the night was filled with the sounds of crashing pins, laughter and good conversation.

At night’s end, the Salty Dolphins of AMI Dolphin Tours once again were the top team with a combined team score of 974 in a single game.

Bowling pin “trophies” were awarded to Mikie Phetcher, the top female bowler, with a score of 150.

Hunter Parrish, scoring 234, was the top male bowler of the night. This was Parrish’s first individual achievement as a member of the AMI Dolphin Tours team.

King Middle School eighth-grader Cale Rudacille took home top honors as a youth bowler with a high score of 132.

On the flip side of bowling achievements, Keith Mahoney won the coveted Gutter Ball award.

The tournament, named in honor of Greg LaPensee, who passed away on Dec. 21, 2021 at 39 years of age, was once again sponsored by LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air. LaPensee’s sons, Preston and Chandler, opened the tournament with the first bowls of the night.

Many of the teams showed their originality and personalities through the costumes they wore at the fundraiser. Five teams were considered for the team costume contest prize.

In the end, the six Jamaican bobsledders, Don and Leah Purvis, Brian and Lauren Johnson, and Gavin and Amy Lee, took home the title of best team costumes.

The fundraiser planning once again was a tribute to the giving spirit that Janae Rudacille has for her Island community. Center staff and Rudacille outdid themselves again this year with a wonderful event featuring many raffle items and silent auction items donated to benefit the nonprofit organization.

The Center staff is grateful to everyone who made this year’s fundraising event an even bigger success than last year. All proceeds from the bowling tournament will go toward the programming and services provided by The Center.

The Center staff, volunteers and bowlers made the Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament another night to remember.

The Center kicks off fall adult soccer

The Center kicks off fall adult soccer

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

ANNA MARIA – One week after the effects of Hurricane Idalia, the excitement of adult co-ed recreational soccer returned to the Island pitch at The Center.

Starting the season in a close 3-2 game against Gulf Drive Café, team captain Greg Ross brought his Ross Built Custom Homes squad onto the field looking like an American football team. As a local growing up on Anna Maria Island, Ross is no stranger to the fields at the community center, playing youth and adult sports over the years.

Ross’ roster includes his twin sons, Andrew and Jake. The Ross brothers cut their athletic teeth in the youth leagues on the very fields they are now playing on with their father as adults.

A team on the field, the Ross Built team includes several members of Ross’ team in the world of residential construction.

Longtime co-worker and friend Max Gazzo played in the goalkeeper position for Ross last Thursday night. Like the Ross boys and G. Ross himself, Gazzo grew up on the Island and played in the youth leagues at The Center, then the Anna Maria Island Community Center.

Credited with 10 saves in the game against the young Gulf Drive Café squad, Gazzo helped his team to the first win of the season.

Gazzo is joined on the soccer field by co-workers and Islanders John Coleman, Nate Talucci and Andrew Thomas. Ross’ sons also work in the family business.

Winning by a goal, the Ross Built team got three shots past Gulf Drive Café’s Charles “Tuna” McCracken, arguably one of the best goalies in the league. Singles by Daniel Hampton, Nicola Manni and J. Ross earned their team the win. A. Ross had a critical assist allowing for a goal.

McCracken had 11 big stops in the first game of the season, but playing without team captain Kevin Roman and Jana Whitehead could have been the difference in the opening matchup.

The Gulf Drive team includes three lifelong friends, Tyler Brewer, Javier Rivera and McCracken. Learning at Anna Maria Elementary School and playing at the community center together, the three teammates are joined by Helio Gomez, who also played youth sports at The Center.

Gomez scored one of two goals for the Gulf Drive Café team. Juan Vega put the other point on the scoreboard, along with an assist in the statistics.

Flavio Olvera is credited with the assist on Vega’s goal.

Off to a slow start to the season, the Gulf Drive Café squad hopes to win their first game against team Pool America. Pool America is seeking its first win of the season after a volatile loss against Moss Builders 5-1 in the final game of week one action.

The Ross Built team will face Moss Builders at the 9 p.m. game on Thursday night. There can be only one winner, squashing the hopes of the other team’s undefeated season.

Josh Sato’s team won by three goals against team Slim’s Place, led by team captain Yuri Pereira. Sato Real Estate plays Gulfview Windows & Doors in the 8 p.m. game, while Slim’s battles the Sandbar team.

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits lost 3-1 against Gulfview in the third game of the night.

With six games remaining in the regular season, the top seed going into the first round of playoffs is any team’s for the taking.

 

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

SEPT. 7

 

ADULT CO-ED SOCCER

WEEK 1

 

Ross Built Custom Homes 3

Gulf Drive Café 2

 

 

Sato Real Estate 6

Slim’s Place 3

 

 

Gulfview Windows & Doors 3

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 1

 

 

Moss Builders 5

Pool America 1

Team SRC solid in youth indoor soccer

Team SRC solid in youth indoor soccer

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

ANNA MARIA – Last week at The Center, the summer youth indoor soccer regular season play came to a close with both Solid Rock Construction teams solidly on top with 10-0 wins in both the age group leagues.

In the 11- to 13-year-old league, the Solid Rock team beat the Island Vacation Properties squad. Working hard on the court, team Island Vacation Properties held their own and fought hard for two halves of play.

The Coastline West team handed the Moss Builders team their fourth win with a forfeit last Monday night, leading into the playoffs.

The first round of playoffs was played this past Monday night with identical matchups. Coastline West looks to beat Moss Builders on the indoor pitch to advance to the championship game on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 7:15 p.m.

One of the two teams faces either Solid Rock or Island Vacation Properties.

The younger ballers played last Tuesday night in The Center’s gymnasium with family and friends perched on the stage watching the hardcourt action. AMI Dolphin Tours won against Progressive Cabinetry by three goals, with a final score of 6-3.

In the last game of the regular season for the 8- to 10-year-old league, Solid Rock Construction kept the Intentional Resilient Intuitive team from getting their first win of the season, despite their hard, never quit play.

Each of the four teams matched up identically this Monday night to determine the championship game showdown. The teams are scheduled to play on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Quarter-final adult flag football play concluded Thursday night with no big surprises. Top-ranked Luxury Services faced the last seed The Banks Home Lending Team, coming out on top with an easy win, 54-18.

Luxury faces Cortez Deep Sea Fishing Thursday at 8 p.m. in the first semifinal adult flag football game. The fourth-ranked Cortez Deep Sea Fishing crew won against team Salty Fishing by 27 points. Salty finished the regular season just under their quarterfinal opponents.

In the second half of the night, team Sandbar Seafood & Spirits won against an injured Solid Rock Construction squad. Quarterback Charles “Tuna” McCracken was sidelined at the end of the last regular season game with an injury that impacted him Thursday night.

McCracken’s injury added to team aches with Zach Long also sidelined during the season. Long was unable to play the quarterfinal game.

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits goes up against the second-ranked Moss Builders team in the 9 p.m. semifinal game on Thursday night under the lights of the community center gridiron.

Moss Builders won by 18 points against the second-to-last place Gulf Drive Café team. With the final score of 25-7, Moss Builders showed why the team is a top contender for the season championship winner.

The final game of the adult co-ed flag football season is slated for Thursday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. at The Center of Anna Maria Island to close out the summer sports season.

 

 

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

JULY 31 YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER – WEEK 6

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

 

#3 Moss Builders (4-2-0) Winner by Forfeit

#2 Coastline West Team/Wagner Realty (3-2-1) L

 

 

#1 Solid Rock Construction (3-2-1) 10

#4 Island Vacation Properties (1-5-0) 0

 

 

AUG. 2 YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER – WEEK 6

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

#2 AMI Dolphin Tours (2-3-1) 6

#3 Progressive Cabinetry (3-3-0) 3

 

 

#1 Solid Rock Construction (6-0-0) 10

#4 Intentional Resilient Intuitive (0-5-1) 0

 

 

AUG. 3 – ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL

QUARTER-FINAL PLAYOFF GAMES

 

#1 Luxury Services 54

#8 The Banks Home Lending Team 18

 

 

#4 Cortez Deep Sea Fishing 40

#5 Salty Printing 13

 

 

#6 Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 26

#3 Solid Rock Construction 12

 

 

#2 Moss Builders 25

#7 Gulf Drive Café 7

Solid Rock Construction leads youth indoor soccer leagues

Solid Rock Construction leads youth indoor soccer leagues

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

ANNA MARIA – Escaping the extreme heat of the week, family and friends packed The Center’s gymnasium last week for youth indoor soccer action. After taking a week off for Independence Day, both youth leagues took to the indoor pitch for three action-packed games.

Both of the Solid Rock Construction teams currently lead their leagues, with the youngest squad remaining undefeated after beating the Progressive Cabinetry team 6-4 last Tuesday night.

Matthew Darak was the high scorer for the Solid Rock team with a hat trick. Teammates Turner Worth and Elijah Roadman each contributed to the scoring with three additional goals. Worth is credited with an assist.

Darak, with an assist of his own, also played in the defensive goalkeeper position, making four saves in the game. Sharing the keeper responsibilities, Isaac Roadman had five critical stops, helping his team earn another W.

With a hat trick, Progressive Cabinetry’s Kason Price helped to keep his team in the game. A solid goal and assist by Rafa Price, along with 14 total saves by Vincent Gollamudi and Price challenged the Solid Rock team every second of the game.

Last Tuesday, team Intentional Resilient Intuitive played hard against the AMI Dolphin Tours team despite the end score of 8-0.

Intentional goalkeepers Camden Rudacille and Paul ten Haaf, with nine and 14 saves, respectively, stayed focused and determined despite the arsenal of shots taken by the AMI Dolphin Tours offense.

With three goals, Gunnar Maize also played goalie and had three saves in the game. AMI Dolphins Tours teammates Louis Bacon, Kazimir Funtal and Charlee Maize each added a goal to G. Maize’s hat trick.

Bacon and Funtal provided assistance on two of their team’s goals, along with two goals by Parker Svoboda.

AMI Dolphin Tours’ primary goalie, Miles Moss, had five big stops in the team’s first win of the season.

The older league played the night before with a single game due to a forfeit by team Coastline West Team – Wagner Realty. The forfeit put the Solid Rock Construction team in the 11- to 13-year-old league at the top of the ranking.

Team Moss Builders faced the Island Vacation Properties team, winning by three goals after two halves of indoor soccer action.

Despite the 18 total saves by Alonso Valle and Chandler McRae, the goals by Tucker McRae and Valle just were not enough to defeat the Moss Builders team.

Moss Builders’ Callin Westfall lead his team to victory with three goals and an assist. Big plays and the hot feet of Mason Moss and Jackson Wyatt added two points to the scoreboard for their team. Walker Wyatt made a huge assist leading to a scoring strike.

Goalie Magness Rollins protected his team’s net with 10 saves, contributing to Moss Builders’ second win of the season last Monday night.

The Center’s adult flag football league played four games in week five last Thursday night.

Team Luxury Services remains undefeated after beating fourth-ranked Cortez Deep Sea Fishing 47-20.

Moss Builders is a close second with only one loss. Their 45-6 win against The Banks Home Lending Team proves their continued dominance in the league.

Currently ranked third, Sandbar Seafood & Spirits easily beat the Salty Printing squad 45-32. The Salty team is in the fifth slot going into week six play.

Solid Rock’s adult flag football team, ranked sixth, defeated the Gulf Drive Café team 47-24, leaving the Gulf Drive squad in sixth.

Still in playoff contention, The Banks Home Lending Team sits in the eighth-place slot after their loss to Moss Builders. Despite losing 45-6, The Banks team lives to play another week under the gridiron lights at The Center.

SUN SCOREBOARD

 

 

JULY 10

YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER 

WEEK 4

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

 

Solid Rock Construction (2-1-1) Winner by Forfeit

Coastline West Team Wagner Realty (2-1-1) L

 

 

Moss Builders (2-2-0) 5

Island Vacation Properties (1-3-0) 2

 

 

JULY 11

 

YOUTH INDOOR SOCCER 

WEEK 4

EIGHT- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE

 

 

Solid Rock Construction (4-0-0) 6

Progressive Cabinetry (2-2-0) 4

 

 

AMI Dolphin Tours (1-2-1) 8

Intentional Resilient Intuitive (0-3-1) 0

 

 

 

JULY 13

 

ADULT CO-ED FLAG FOOTBALL – WEEK 5

 

 

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits (3-2-0) 45

Salty Printing (2-3-0) 32

 

 

Solid Rock Construction (2-3-0) 47

Gulf Drive Café (1-4-0) 24

 

 

Luxury Services (5-0-0) 47

Cortez Deep Sea Fishing (2-3-0) 20

 

 

Moss Builders (4-1-0) 45

The Banks Home Lending Team (1-4-0) 6

Summer sports kick off at The Center

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

ANNA MARIA – As the first official day of summer approaches, the heat of the Island evenings pushes The Center’s youth sports activities inside with indoor soccer’s kickoff games last week. Thursday night started the adult co-ed recreational summer flag football action on the big field with competitive action once again.

Because of ties and forfeits, only one team in each of the youth indoor leagues came out victorious at the end of their games. Teams Solid Rock Construction and Island Vacation Properties won in their respective leagues.

In 8- to 10-year-old league play, Solid Rock Construction hit the gymnasium floor against team Progressive Cabinetry. Strong goal-scoring by the Solid Rock squad gave them the win with the final score 6-4.

Scoring for Solid Rock, Matthew Darak made four goals. Teammate Holden put two points on the scoreboard. At the net, Isaac Roadman protected the goal with skill making five saves in the team’s win week one.

Max McMaster scored the two goals for Progressive Cabinetry, while Vincent Gollamundi miraculously made 15 big stops in the game as goalie for his team.

Island Vacation Properties was the lone victor in the 11- to 13-year-old league due to a forfeit by team Moss Builders.

Indoor soccer action between team Coastline West Team – Wagner Realty and Solid Rock Construction ended in a 3-3 tie. With 11 saves by Austin Guess for Solid Rock, the team held its own against the Coastline West squad thanks to three goals by Wes Saxon.

Coastline’s goals came off the boots of David Zupa with two goals and Grady Sandhoff with a solo goal. Making eight amazing saves, the Coastline West Team’s goalie, Blake Brower, helped his team hold on to the tie, giving each team one point in the season.

After four adult flag football games, four teams came out on top finishing the week with 1-0-0 records. Teams Luxury Services, Moss Builders, Sandbar Seafood & Spirits and Solid Rock Construction each took home a win.

Starting off the season, Salty Printing matched up with last season’s big winners, team Luxury Services. With a slightly different lineup, the Luxury team easily won their first game 35-12. Tim Holly topped the men’s flag-pulling for the week with eight snags.

In another high-scoring game and aerial assault, Moss Builders scored 45 points against the Gulf Drive Café defense. The Gulf Drive team managed to put up 26 points on the scoreboard in their first loss last Thursday night.

Defense was the name of the game in the third game of the adult flag football season with the Solid Rock Construction team winning against team Cortez Deep Sea Fishing 14-7. Evelyn Long made seven amazing stops with flag pulls for the Solid Rock team, just short of Holly.

Ending the night with the closest game of the week, Sandbar Seafood & Spirits barely earned the win against The Banks Home Lending Team. Winning by two points, the Sandbar team came out on top with the final score 28-26.

Playing toward the championship games in August, 16 teams, three leagues, two sports compete at The Center all summer.

 

Sun Scoreboard

 

June 13

 

Youth Indoor Soccer

 

8- to 10-year-old league
Week 1

 

AMI Dolphin Tours – Forfeit Tie

Intentional Resilient Intuitive – Forfeit Tie

 

Solid Rock Construction 6

Progressive Cabinetry 2

 

11- to 13-year-old league

 

Week 1

 

 

Coastline West Team – Wagner Realty 3

Solid Rock Construction 3

 

Island Vacation Properties W by Forfeit

Moss Builders L

 

June 15

 

Adult Co-Ed Flag Football

 

Week 1

 

 

Luxury Services 35

Salty Printing 12

 

 

Moss Builders 45

Gulf Drive Café 26

 

 

Solid Rock Construction 14

Cortez Deep Sea Fishing 7

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits 28

The Banks Home Lending Team 26