SE flag football teams compete, score for top spot in tournament

By Keisha Bruner/reporter

Kevin Fernandez of Illumanati hauls in the ball in the first round of SE Campus’ flag football tournament.  Photo by Jason Floyd/The Collegian
Kevin Fernandez of Illumanati hauls in the ball in the first round of SE Campus’ flag football tournament. Photo by Jason Floyd/The Collegian

Seven teams scored victories in the first round of flag football games on SE Campus Oct. 12.

Air Attack defeated Africca Kings 39-12. Juice beat the Los Aztecas 26-6 while Balls Deep overcame Illumanati 40-24. With a score of 48-8, Ninjas in Paris demolished Team 5-0, and in a tight game, Unknown squeaked by TNT 15-14. The Comebacks beat Toon Squad 21-6 while X Squad ran over Scoregasms 40-19.

As the first game started, it all looked well for the Africca Kings as Cedrick Pullen caught an interception and had a 5-yard run. On the next play, he scored a 5-yard touchdown.

Africca Kings’ quick scoring gave them the edge they needed because Brennan Simon soon caught an interception, and on the next play, Michael Northcutt made a 40-yard touchdown in one play.

However, the team’s lead turned around quick.

Air Attack’s Aaron Williams stole the show in the first half with a 20-yard run for a first down, swerving in and out of the Africca Kings as though they weren’t there. He could not be stopped.

To help his teammate, Ramone Cooper caught the ball surrounded by three Africca Kings players and made the touchdown to give Air Attack a 14-12 lead.

It was not long before Williams made another touchdown right before halftime making the score 24-12, leaving the Africca Kings frustrated and in need of a new strategy.

In the second half, Air Attack came out and dominated. Yaw Osei made a touchdown but, with flair, decided to a run the last two yards backward.

Air Attack ended big with their scoremaker Williams catching another ball in the end zone to make the final score 39-12.

In the second game, Juice faced off against Los Aztecas, and from the beginning, Juice had the upper hand.

Just three minutes into the game, Juice’s Javarious Harmon had an amazing 20-yard catch as he jumped mid-air and caught the ball, making the touchdown.

Then Juice’s Tagan Betts made a 40-yard touchdown as he ran a reverse right through Los Aztecas.

Los Aztecas tried to put up a fight but could not stop fighting with each other long enough to get a play right.

In the end, Juice stayed ahead with Harmon catching a mid-air interception for a 20-yard touchdown to end the game 26-6.

In the third game, Balls Deep went up against Illumanati, and neither team was willing to give in.

Balls Deep player Tyron Nguyen’s speed and agility gave his team a 14-6 lead.

However, Illumanati’s Gilbert Ramirez came back with a hard-rolling touchdown to make the score 14-12.

Both of these teams gave it their all, but Balls Deep stayed ahead in the second half to win 40-24.

The open tournament play continues Oct. 19. The single-elimination tournament will start Nov. 2.