Pictured Wrecking CREW, the women's competitive division winners. Photos by Mel Ferrand. #2 David Gassman and his SPIN women's Upper Rec champs. #3 TLC won the Lower Rec title. #4 Lady Killaz came in second in Lower Rec. # 5 Diesel Daisies came in second in Upper Rec. #6 The competitive Rebels didn't win ... but sure had fun trying.
The biggest upset-win of the men's flag football season came on the final day of the season, Nov. 19. On Championship Saturday. In the competitive division.
Charlie's Ale House cruised through the regular season, posting a perfect 9-0 record and out-scoring its opponents 342-141. T's, meanwhile, finished 5-3.
So much for the repeat title for Charlie's, or the four wins it had over T's in four games this season. T's triumphed 25-20 over Charlie's for the crown.
'It was a great win, especially since Charlie's is an incredible team,' said T's captain Kurt Jones, who plays wide receiver and safety, and actually played for Charlie's last season but left this fall to form a second Competitive team. 'This T's team really is a great mix of guys, with four straight and five gay players. I think we were a very good representation of a quality sports team, gay or straight.'
Charlie's grabbed the first lead, but had to settle for a 13-13 tie at halftime. Charlie's went ahead 20-13 on the first drive of the second half, but T's answered with back-to-back touchdowns. Charlie's was driving for the potential game-winning touchdown with less than three minutes to play when Brian Vandover intercepted a Will Ward pass.
Scott Paracheck had a key reception from quarterback Mark Padjen to ice the T's win.
In other finals last Saturday, also held at Warren Park: Hydrate retained its Intermediate Division championship with a 28-19 win over the Crew Crushers, and Spin defeated Tank Tops 27-26 for the Recreation Division title.
In the women's championship games, held Nov. 20 at Warren Park: TLC defeated the Lady Killaz 21-14 for the Lower Recreation Division title; Spin stopped the Diesel Daisies 29-28 for the Upper Recreation title; Ravenswood Pub bombed the Chicago Lost & Found Breeze 28-6 for the Intermediate crown; and the Wrecking CREW defeated previously undefeated Joie De Vine 14-13 for the Competitive Division championship.
'The level of play this season really stepped up, especially in the Recreation Division,' said Shawn Albritton, commissioner for CMSA's men's fall flag football league. 'There were 17 teams this year, which is the most we've ever had and the most of any league in the country. The level of play has really gotten better each and every year.
'It was good to see that all of the championship games were close, ... I think that says something about the parity within the league.'
The league's annual Sportsmanship Awards were presented to: Raul Perez ( Big Chick's ) , Kyle Carstensen ( Scot's ) and Brian Walker ( Charlie's Ale House ) .
'The league is getting a lot more social, which is a good thing,' Albritton said. 'The officials deserve a lot of credit for their work this season. Also, big props go to Chipp Collins and Dan Shaver who put in so much hard work, so many hours this season, setting up the fields and providing refreshments. Their work is much appreciated.'
Spin's one-point Recreation Division victory was a first for the long-time team that includes Spin owner, Dave Gassman. Spin was, though, thisclose to needing overtime. Tank Tops went for the win with a two-point attempt on the final play of the game, but couldn't convert and time ran out.
Spin was 9-1 during the regular-season, outscoring its opponents 351-167.