By Matthew Berger/reporter
After weeks of tournament play, the SE flag football championship game Nov. 8 ended in a blowout as Tad Do made three interceptions and carried Ninjas in Paris to a 41-6 win over Air Attack.
“It was a great win for us,” Do said. “We had a lot of fun this year and cannot wait to do this again next year and repeat as champs.”
Ninjas in Paris started off with the ball and scored quickly on three plays, using lateral passing to move down the field.
On Air Attack’s first possession, it drove until Kent Fischer threw an interception to Do that was run back for a touchdown, which seemed to be a theme for the championship game.
After another touchdown drive by Ninjas in Paris, Air Attack’s offense seemed out of rhythm. However, Air Attack was under constant pressure by Ninjas in Paris’ blitz, so the deep pass down field was not available. It was a steady assortment of turnovers on downs by Air Attack that led to the halftime deficit of 18-0.
Air Attack did show signs of life as it went 6-for-6 through the air and scored on a touchdown pass, but as the team went for the two-point conversion, Do stepped up for an interception return to add two points to the Ninjas’ score.
The two semifinals were played before the title game. Air Attack needed a miracle to advance against TNT and got one.
TNT started the game scoring in just four plays.
Air Attack did not waste any time itself as quarterback Kent Fischer went 3-for-4 through the air and a touchdown. It was clear with the height and size advantage that Air Attack’s game plan was to go deep.
At halftime, TNT led 21-20, but the game changed in the second half as defense became crucial.
Air Attack got the football first and ended a three-play drive with a touchdown pass.
TNT was not so fruitful throwing an interception while trying to connect on a deep pass. The interception quickly led to points. TNT was winning 34-21 but missed a key two-point conversion.
On TNT’s next possession, it ran for big chunks of yards and threw a quick strike to the corner of the end zone to make the score 34-28.
After Air Attack and TNT both failed to come up on crucial fourth down plays, it was Air Attack’s clutch play that would seal the victory. As the clock was ticking to zero, Air Attack’s Fischer threw a hail Mary pass to the end zone.
TNT was hoping for an interception or defensive stand to get the ball back and force the game into overtime, but as the ball was in the air, TNT tipped it and it miraculously landed in the hands of an Air Attack wide receiver for the win.
“It was a great win, a great all-around team effort,” Fischer said. “We needed this win.”
The matchup between Balls Deep and Ninjas in Paris was a lopsided affair.
The game started off with each team gaining a touchdown on its first possession, but defense was the key to winning this game.
Ninjas in Paris forced a safety and then quickly went 4-for-5 through the air including a touchdown pass. Balls Deep could not figure out a way to control Ninjas in Paris’ high-octane offense as the halftime score was 23-7.
The second half was a mirror image of the first as both teams scored on their first possessions, but Ninjas in Paris proved too much for Balls Deep as Ninjas in Paris scored on their first three possessions en route to a 41-14 blowout.
“We played great out there today,” said Do. “This was a real team effort.”
