They ended October with a 5-4 record and 244 points scored, the second-most of the nine C-Division teams in the CMSA fall flag football league. Sure, the Vital Bridges team has surrendered 239 points, the second-most of any team, but this is a first-year team, a group pooled together days before the start of the season and with only one player owning past league experience.
'From body language, I can tell that the whole team is enjoying itself; they're learning something new every day,' said team captain Clement Chen, 31, an Andersonville resident. 'And, we're winning, which makes the season even more fun.'
Well, the 2005 run is wrapping up. Flag football playoffs start Nov. 12 and the finals in each of the three divisions—A, B and C—are slated for Nov. 19 at Warren Park.
So could Chen's crew of football newbies actually capture the flag?
Perhaps, though competition will come from Spin, Tease and Crew Lite, among others. In B, the top teams are Hydrate, Quads Bears and Chili Mac's. The A Division features the Will Ward-led Charlie's Ale House and T's.
Then again, a championship isn't what the Vital Bridges team set out for when the season started. Heck, they were then just trying to figure out who would play what position.
'I love sports. I'm not very good, but I like to play sports and enjoy watching sports, too,' said Chen, who also plays organized tennis, softball, basketball and badminton. 'I'm not the most talented, so I rely a lot on my quickness. That's my strength.'
Chen came to America from his native Malaysia in 1996, landing in the college basketball hotbed known as Kentucky. During his three years studying at Kentucky, the Wildcats won two National Championships. In Malaysia, Chen's sporting memories include watching games pitting Michael Jordan against Magic Johnson. Basketball remains the best sport he plays.
Football is just his latest foray, with several teammates who also are basketball and softball mates.
'Most of the guys on the team have no experience,' said Chen, an accountant who plays wide receiver and rusher for the Vital Bridges crew. 'It's been good for me and good for the team, as far as the learning.
'Early on, though, I had to try to figure out a role for every player. It's been a learning experience for me in that role, trying to find a position for everyone, trying to find out what everyone is good at. I judge people on their speed and their hand-to-eye coordination.
'Well, we've done better than what I expected because I didn't really think our team would get together so well, do so well, especially so quickly. So far, I believe I've made good decisions on roles for everyone.'
And, the team has had some luck along the way, too. In two games, for instance, a Vital Bridges' receiver couldn't contain a pass, yet the ball ultimately landed in a teammate's hands. And once the tipped reception even went for a touchdown.
'The highlight so far has been that, in every game, there's a memorable moment that we can easily recall and cherish,' Chen said.
Michael Kenney is the team's quarterback and Andrew Burke is his main receiver. Scott Quinn has been exceptional on defense, leading the team in interceptions.
'Every game, there are different players who play well,' Chen said, 'Every game, there's a new player stepping up.'
The team's on-field success also, no doubt, can be attributed to its off-field friendship. They hang out at bars together or meet at someone's home to watch, what else, sporting events, as they did for the World Series.
'If you think about the stereotype that people have of gay men … that we cannot enjoy each other's company, perhaps to just watch football or basketball. Well, we do just that, crushing the stereotype,' Chen said. 'We're very excited for the playoffs. We know we will have fun, regardless if we win or lose.'