Pelham News : flag football

NHFFL crowns spring champions

Salem Editor — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:47:00 GMT

The New Hampshire Flag Football League concluded its spring season with games on Friday, June 26, and title tilts on Sunday, June 28.

In the 12- to 15-year-old division semifinals:
The Texans played a strong defensive game and beat the Colts, 12-6. Kevin Deangelo led the victors’ offense, while Geordan Henderson stood out on defense. Jeremy Cocciardi turned in a fine all-around game for the Colts, and Sam Cavallaro showcased some nifty running.

The Browns received solid quarterback play from Mark Fereira, and Chadd Loring was dynamite on offense in their team’s 12-6 win over the Bears. Jeff Barry and David Bronson were exceptional on both sides of the ball in defeat.

In the finals:
The Texans concluded their fine season by winning the crown.

In the 6- to 8-year-old A division finals:
The Colts earned the crown by defeating the Steelers, 18-6. Cody Stevens bagged a couple of TDs and was an effective all-around performer, while Tommy Emrick read the play and nabbed an interception to complement a strong day running the ball. The Steelers’ Eric Thibodeau returned an interception for a touchdown, and Jon MacLean played well on defense.

In the 6- to 8-year-old B division finals:
The Ravens came to do battle and walked away with a 42-0 victory, while the Vikings’ strong season came to a close. Jacob Dorman and Devin DeBay were overpowering on defense. Dorman scored two touchdowns and DeBay added another.

In the 9- to 11-year-old A division NFC Conference championship:
The Redskins came out firing to an early 13-0 lead, but the resilient Lions fought back and won, 18-13, with Drew Johnson tossing three touchdown passes and Andrew Duragano reeling in big reception after big reception, including one for a TD.

Scott Razetti collected a pair of sacks and played well whenever called upon for the Redskins, and Tom Dimicelli was a standout on both sides of the ball.

In the 9- to 11-year-old A division AFC Conference championship:
The Chiefs pulled away late to beat the Packers, 24-6.

Dylan Poirier and Jacob Cunningham both scored touchdowns, with Cunningham also anchoring the defense.

Joe LaValle and Cameron Pereira were two-way stars for the Packers.

In the 9- to 11-year-old A division finals:
The No. 1 Lions and the second-seeded Chiefs were scoreless at halftime. The Chiefs, once again, did all the late-game damage to win the crown, 18-0. Trevor Gagnon threw three touchdown passes, two to John Granfield, while Mikey Duragano and Parker Belsky turned in solid all-around performances for the Lions.

In the 9- to 11-year-old B division NFC Conference championship:
The Seahawks continued their improbable run with a 15-12 win over the Eagles.

PJ Trachier and Curtis Culcasi provided the fireworks wherever they played for the Seahawks. Joe Halpin helped spark the Eagles’ offense, while Ryan Faria was effective on both sides of the ball.

In the 9- to 11-year-old B division AFC Conference championship:
With Matt Burke providing the offense, Ryan Demers leading the defense and both scoring touchdowns, the Cardinals edged the Saints, 18- 14. Matt Carney contributed some inspiring offense of his own for the Saints, and Kevin Bolio played a fine all-around game.

In the 9- to 11-year-old B division finals:
Few foresaw the Seahawks, 0-6 during the regular season, reaching the championship game. They did, and they won, 18-6. Kyle Rembis played a stellar game at quarterback, and Andrew Dorman was a force everywhere on the field. Freddi Stamatatos made plays sideline to sideline for the Cardinals, and Matt McGlaughlin turned in a strong all-around game.

Upsets punctuate NHFFL playoffs

Salem Editor — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:55:00 GMT

Spectators at the New Hampshire Flag Football League’s early-round playoffs watched some stunning developments in games played Friday, June 19, and Sunday, June 21.

In the 12- to 15-year-old division:
The previously winless and eighth-ranked Browns handed the top-ranked Ravens their first loss in a 15-14 final, despite fine play from a hungry Ravens’ squad. Jacob Diaz scored for the Browns, while Matt DiPoto nabbed an interception.

The second-seeded Bears received star efforts on offense from Jeff Barry and quarterback David Bronson to emerge with a 22-20 victory. John Homsey and Tom Anderson led the seventh-ranked Raiders.

The No. 6-ranked Colts upset the third-seeded Jets, 43- 10. Noah Swiderski made two interceptions, and Dylan Swiderski scored a touchdown. Tom Collins pulled in a TD catch for the Jets, and Matt Noel contributed solid all-around play.

The Texans, ranked No. 4, held off the fifth-seeded Steelers, 18-15. Eric Nystrom scored twice, and Kevin Deangelo ran the game well at QB. Nick Johnson and Adam Wentzel’s all-around play led the Steelers.

In the 6- to 8-year-old division:
AFC Conference’s A Division games The No. 1-ranked Steelers won their elimination contest against a solid Cowboys group, 20-6. Eric Thibodeau tossed three touchdown passes to Zach Colvin.

With a 20-0 victory, the No. 2 Bills secured their place in the championship game. Jack Drolet scored three touchdowns, and Anthony Snyder was tough on defense. Ian Morganstern and Bobby Charrette put in fine all-around performances for the Cardinals.

In the AFC championship- game thriller, the Steelers edged the Bills, 28-26. The Bills scored with three seconds left, but the Steelers prevented the ensuing two-point conversion to hold on. Brandon O’Grady scored a pair of touchdowns for the Bills.

NFC Conference’s A Division games The top-ranked Colts won, 24-8. Connor Matthews and Cory Eyring were solid on both sides of the ball. Mason Belsky and Matthew Scaccia both played inspired defense for the No. 4-ranked Dolphins.

The third-ranked Panthers shut out the No. 2 Packers, 8-0, with big all-around contributions from Danny Dickey and Jeffrey Andon. Drew Brown led the Pack on offense and Noah Lynch spurred the defense.

Tommy Emerick scored on a long TD run, Cody Stevens returned an interception for the game-winning touchdown, and the Colts edged the Panthers, 12-6, for the conference crown. The Panthers received fine allaround games from Cameron Homsey and Daniel Dickey.

AFC Conference’s B Division games The No. 5 Ravens defeated the eighth-ranked 49ers, 34-6.

Brandon Mercier scored in the win, and Jack Herling was a force throughout the game. Salihah Bogner was solid for the 49ers’ defense, and Katie Chaisson played well on both sides of the ball.

The sixth-seeded Chargers clamped down on defense to beat the no. 7 Broncos, 19-6. Tyler Larsen scored for the victors. Lincoln Lessard tallied for the Broncos, and Eddie Shilimon turned in a good game on both sides of the ball.

The Ravens moved to the B Division championship round following a 40-6 win. Aria O’Connel played well in all departments, and Jacob Dorman sparked the offense. Olivia Gagnon and Dreke Crowley put forth excellent all-around efforts for the Chargers.

NFC Conference’s B Division games Kyle Keenan and Nicholas Mueller each scored as the No. 5-seeded Patriots won, 32- 6. Nicholas Pereira scored the lone TD for the Titans, and Colin Marconi was effective on offense and defense.

The No. 6 Vikings moved on following a 14-10 win. AJ Pereira ran for six points, and Nick Wood played stellar D. Owen Haskins led the No. 7 Falcons’ defense, and Madelyn Shea was an all-around star.

A late-game TD reception from Kyle Hoglund helped the Vikings advance, 14-8. Zach Luongo scored the other touchdown off an interception. The Patriots’ Cameron Burns scored the team’s TD, and Ashley Daniels was stellar on defense.

In the 9- to 11-year-old division:
AFC Conference’s A Division games The No. 4-ranked Packers edged the previously unchallenged and top-ranked Patriots, 8-6. Tyler Longo chalked up multiple sacks, and Tim Anderson snatched a pick in the end zone with less than a minute to play to help seal the win over the never-say-die Pats.

The second-ranked Chiefs advanced, 30-6. Johnny Granfield was a key cog in the defense, and Matt Drolet turned in a fine all-around game. The No. 3 Buccaneers received stellar games from Zach Demmons and Tanner Bogner.

NFC Conference’s A Division games Trevor Longo returned an INT for six points and reeled in a reception for a score as the No. 1-ranked Lions won, 27- 6. Andrew Durango threw for a couple of touchdowns. The fourth-ranked Jaguars scored on a Lillian Shilimon-to-Jack Frey pass.

The second-seeded Redskins shut out the No. 3-ranked Rams, 7-0, thanks in large part to Collin Loring’s defense and Cameron Holdsworth’s interception. Patrick Collins contributed everywhere for the Rams, and Ryan O’Grady’s defensive play was exceptional.

AFC Conference’s B Division games The eighth-ranked Seahawks earned their first victory of the season, 15-12, upsetting the No. 5 Bengals. Kyle Rembis was efficient at quarterback, and Andrew Dorman provided excellent play. Johnny Bartose keyed the Bengals’ offense, and Royce Belsky led the D.

The seventh-ranked Eagles knocked off the No. 6 Raiders, 8-0. Joe Halpin was a strong presence on both sides of the ball, and Tommy Costa was a rock on defense. Jacob Yirrell turned in a fine defensive performance for the Raiders, and JJ Wrobel was an all-around star.

NFC Conference’s B Division games Austin Wentzel scored a pair of safeties on quarterback sacks in the fifth-ranked Cardinals’ 4-0 win against the eighth-seeded Panthers. Matt McLaughlin was a force on defense in the win. Max Faro and Michel Haas played very well for the Panthers.

With touchdowns from Kevin Bolio and Patrick Barry, the sixth-seeded Saints moved on with a 25-14 win. The Cowboys’ Connor Rouse returned a pick for a TD, and David Tello was effective on both sides of the ball.

Play flag football this spring

Salem Editor — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:57:00 GMT

This spring, the NFL-affiliated New Hampshire Flag Football League (NHFFL) offers an organized, competitive, and fun atmosphere to youngsters who want to experience football without the commitment and the contact. Games are played on Sundays in Pelham throughout the day. Practices start the week of April 9; the season begins April 29.

Registration is available at nhffl.com. All players must sign up online. Registration closes when all player sots are filled. The $55 sign-up fee includes an NFL reversible game-logo jersey and set of flags.

Each team has a one-hour practice during the week and a one-hour game on Sunday. There are six regular-season games and playoffs for athletes in three age groups: 6- to 8-year-olds, 9- to 11-year-olds and 12- to 14-year-olds. All divisions are coed.

The NHFFL needs volunteer coaches. The league has a coaches’ meeting before the season to answer any questions. If interested, e-mail Brian at nhfflyouth@comcast.net or call 765-7617.