In one convenient cartoon!

Our football game last night was delayed about 40 minutes as the prior game went to triple overtime. We struggled to keep warm and loose on the sidelines with the outside temperature at 40 degrees. We expected a tough game as the other team was 3-1, with two of those victories coming over a team that beat us handily. The first play of the game, the other team sent the snap from center over the quarterback's head and into the endzone, giving us a 2-0 lead. Sportingly, we allowed them to regain the lead for a while. Three quick touchdowns by them gave us a 20-2 deficit heading into the half.

A change in tactics was necessary... let's try throwing the ball downfield! A long strike to my favorite deep threat Andre bumped us to a 20-8 margin. On the following play, Andre intercepted the other team, and two plays later was rewarded with another short touchdown catch, and we are at 20-14 (you'll notice the missed extra points are a theme). THEN, a miracle interception by Anjun, rushing in as a defensive lineman with his arms raised in the air. The ball struck him in his chest and disappeared as he carried it the short distance to the endzone. We're tied at 20 with two minutes to go!

The other team executed the two-minute drill nearly flawlessly, as a short 5 yard pass became much more after two missed flag grabs. 27-20 now, with about one and a half minutes to play. We tried to execute our own two minute drill, and successfully moved the ball for a few plays. Faced with third and long, I went back to the well for another long shot to Andre. This play surprised no one, including the three guys guarding Andre, one of whom took the interception to the house. 34-20, and stick a fork in us. Just for kicks, we continued to throw long desperation passes, and the opposition faithfully intercepted them and returned them for touchdowns. I think the final score was about 48-20, but the game was much closer and more exciting than that.

Is there anything in the world better than that? I had a great time with the nearly full group in attendance. The only one missing was Elise :-( We had lots of all the favorite standbys, including the mashed potatoes, sweetheart salad, and pumpkin pie. Yum!!

Our game started with a motley crew of 8 players, one more than the 7 who play at a time, so we knew we'd all get a lot of playing time. We were playing against an A league team (we are B league), so we were concerned about the end result.

I made my quarterbacking debut, and drove the team down the field on our first possession, just missing a TD on a 4th and goal pass. The opposition responded with a long TD and extra point for a 7-0 lead, with little time left in the first half. A quick QB scramble, followed by a catch-and-run by Kevin moved us to midfield. On the next play I threw up a long one for our deep threat Andre, who came down with it near the goalline. A QB sneak followed, although we missed the extra point. The halftime margin was 7-6.

The second half was played extremely close, a battle of field position with neither team gaining the upper hand. I went back to Andre for another deep throw, this time he broke away for a touchdown. We missed the two point conversion, so we led 12-7, our first lead of the year.

After the touchdown, the other team went into hurryup mode, and we tried to grind the clock. Nevertheless, both teams traded interceptions. When they got the ball back, they had one and a half minutes to drive the field. The very first throw was a long completion to our own 5 yard line. Time for a goalline stand! First and second down were both incompletions that barely missed. On third down, they threw to the man I was covering, who bobbled the ball. Immediately I boxed him out and ripped away the interception in the endzone. After that, two quarterback kneels and the game was ours! Thrilling from start to finish!

Although it is mid-November, and our team has been playing well, it still took us until Tuesday to get a victory, bringing our season record to 1-2-2. We won 5-0 with a lot of help from Jen's natural hat trick. Don't let the shutout fool you, there was only one serious shot on goal.

Person 1: I suggest we genetically engineer crocodiles to have warm blood and fur. That'd show them!

Person 2: That would be a cat, then.

-From Seen on Slash

We came into the game with nearly half the team nursing some sort of leg injury, but still played fairly well. The margin was a few big plays, and a little lack of chemistry. We had a great time playing, and I even got out in the action. My leg is feeling better, but I am still not running. Nonetheless, I played on the offensive line and caught a few passes.

We had a fun visit from Krissy and Koda this weekend. Lots of Family Guy and Dog Whisperer, plus the usual hijinks. Scout has been depressed the past two days because her dog friend is not here anymore!

You can compare anything to anything. That's the beauty of C style type casting, really! -Seen on Slash

Yesterday I was out practicing with my new IBM Flag Football team. I had been elected quarterback and was doing pretty well: several touchdowns, no interceptions, good decision-making and the occasional profitable scramble. Then, a broken play developed and I scrambled for the races. Juke one, defender beaten. Sidestep two, another defender down, only one remaining. Juke three, POP goes the hamstring.

I looked all over the web for a hamstring recovery program that allows you to do a five hour run in the cold in two weeks, but most of them just say to rest for that long. So it looks like I won't be able to do the Philadelphia Marathon this year. All other sports teams are potentially on hold for me as well.

Like a true Philadelphia native, all I have to offer is "Better luck next year!"