Despite the best-ever show by Chicago in the annual, two-day Pride Bowl flag football tournament, it was the Phoenix Hellraisers repeating as the top-tiered A-Division champions.
The Hellraisers defeated the Chicago United 24-13 in the championship game.
Phoenix quarterback Kenny White was named the offense's most valuable player ( MVP ) in the title tilt, while Jared Garduno was named defensive MVP.
Wide receiver Mike Richardson was named the Chicago MVP in the championship game. The United also features quarterback Izza Rizkallah and receiver Steve Brehm.
This was the United's first appearance in the finals. In fact, it was the first time Chicago had a team advance to the finals of the Pride Bowl.
"This was, by far, the best showing ever for Chicago teams in the Pride Bowl," said Brian Kupersmit, who is the commissioner of the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association's men's flag football league and was the Pride Bowl tournament director.
"I think the fact that there has been a lot of growth in the Chicago [ flag football ] league and we have really grown the competitive division, so, playing better competition [ within Chicago ] really helps when we face out-of-state teams.
"This definitely was an impressive showing for CMSA."
The third annual Pride Bowl attracted 16 teams, including three from Chicago.
Ironically, the Chicago Wilds and the Chicago Devils each advanced yet lost in the semifinals, and then agreed to share the third-place trophy as opposed to battling for intracity bragging rights.
The Wilds were led by receiver Ira Crawley, who was voted the team's MVP after every game in the tournament, and quarterback/captain Gil Minor. The Devils were led by quarterback/captain Will Ward and pass rusher Derek Smith. Kupersmit is the Devils' defensive captain.
In the B-Division finals, the Denver Meateaters defeated the Denver Mountaintops 27-20.
Matt Formanack was named the offensive MVP for the victors, while Namon Huddleston, a former Chicago resident now living in Denver, was selected defensive MVP.
"I thought the tournament went great," Kupersmit said. "The weather was perfect and most of the games were very competitive.
"Pride Bowl III definitely was a success."