AND STILL...
Assault knocks off Blincos 29-19 for third straight TAFFL™ Bowl Title
     "We will win the TAFFL™ Bowl" were the words of Assault QB Steve Bergman, after a horrid first day for the Assault in the Registration Bowl prior to the start of Season EXILE™.  Even though the Assault managed to take home the Registration Bowl title in his absence, the play of the team and Bergman's frustration of not being there, resounded in his promise.

     On Sunday, Bergman and company backed up that promise 29-19 against the then undefeated Blincos (9-0) to take home their third consecutive TAFFL™ Bowl Championship and their eighth title overall in franchise history.
     The game would start off on an electric note with both teams moving the ball well and finding the endzone often.  The Blincos gained the early 7-0 lead on a lateral by QB Tim Kilpatrick to Jason Leon.  Not taking long to respond, Bergman would bounce back three minutes later to connect with his favorite target in DeFonte Coleman to tie the score at 7-7.  Not looking to make this a back-n-forth kind of contest, Kilpatrick would respond with a touchdown pass of his own on the Blincos' next possession to former Olympic Bronze medal sprinter, James Carter, who would blaze past the Assault secondary to give the Blincos the now 13-7 lead.  What looked to be a shootout in the making, Bergman and the Assault would again charge back down the field and this time Marcell Allmond would be on the receiving end of a Bergman pass in which he would 'moss' two would be Blincos' defenders to haul in the pass in the endzone giving the Assault the 14-13 lead.
     It was at this point that the Assault would use a safety on a bad snap by C/TE Eric Mullin that would roll past Kilpatrick and out the, endzone, now up 16-13, and a new possession, Bergman this time would hit John Sellars on a short pass who'd break two tackles and race untouched to the endzone to give the assault a 9-point advantage with less than two minutes remaining in the half.  Attempting to put some more points on the board and close the gap before the break, Kilpatrick would be intercepted by Marcell Allmond on a dropped ball by a Blincos receiver in the endzone to stall a potential scoring drive.  This the first of three interceptions for Allmond.
     With a new set of downs and a chance to widen the lead before halftime, Bergman too would make the mistake of throwing an interception to Reggie Ramsey and Ramsey would return the interception for a touchdown just before the half to cut the Assault lead to three at 22-19.
     Looking to accomplish a feat only the Season I Assault and Season V Oilers have accomplished as being the only teams to win Championships in their first season, after the break the Blincos literally came loose at the seams and found themselves a different team than fans had seen all season. Although both teams seemed to have left that first-half spark in the locker room, the Assault were the only team to be able to muster any points in the second-half, with Bergman connecting again with Coleman, this time late in the game with three minutes remaining making it a two possession game and essentially securing the victory.  The Blincos would manage to drive after the Assault's scoring drive, however another a dropped TD pass on 3rd down by Julius Gregory would lead to a fourth down which would watch another Kilpatrick pass get tipped in the endzone and intercepted by Allmond to seal the deal and shutting out the Blincos in the second half.
     Allmond would walk away with MVP Honors after hauling in three interceptions to go along with three receptions and a touchdown.

Passing: Assault: Steve Bergman: 4/1; Blincos: Tim Kilpatrick: 2/3, Julius Gregory: 0/1
Rushing: None:
Receiving: Assault: D. Coleman 6/2, J. Sellars 5/1, M. Allmond 3/1; Blincos: J. Polk 4/0, E. Mullen 3/0, J. Carter 1/1, J. Leon 1/1 (Lat.)
Interceptions: Assault: M. Allmond 3/0, D. Coleman 1/0; Blincos: R. Ramsey 1/1
Sacks: Blincos: R. Ford 1/0
Tackles: Assault: S. Sherode - 3, D. Coleman - 2; Blincos: R. Ford - 4, R. Ramsey - 3

The Average Joes Are Your PREMIER™ Bowl Champions
Survives a late Reloaded surge to win 19-14.
     Fans were given all they could handle in the Triangle Area Flag Football League's first ever PREMIER™ BOWL Championship held on Saturday at Sanderford Road Park.  This, the first Championship game of the newly created PREMIER™ Division would pit the 4-3 Average Joes (Coach: John Branch) against the 5-2 Reloaded (Coach: Derrick Smith and Travis Wells). Regular season records reflected.    

Entering this season the Joes were a favorite to potentially reach the PREMIER™ Bowl after 'dropping' to the PREMIER™ Division behind two solid performances in the Winter Shootout and the Registration Bowl Tournaments, respectively.  They would start the regular season on fire, going 3-0 until meeting the same Reloaded team in Week 4.  Reloaded would hand the Joe their first loss of the season (3-1), while improving their record to 4-0.  It was also at this time, many analysts began to take notice of Reloaded and mark them a contender for the title as well, as this was not the same kind of team that Derrick Smith had been a part of in the past.  As the Reloaded continued to surge, the Joes, seemed to began on a path of destruction, losing 3 of their last four and many starting to feel like this was not the team they had thought they were.  Reloaded, also after starting 5-0 would falter late in the season, losing their last two games. 
     Now entering the PREMIER™ Bowl playoffs, it seemed like anybody's Championship to win, yet both teams erased the memories of poor season ending performances and played some of their best ball of the season, securing berths to the Championship game.
     The Championship game would be filled with stellar defense by both teams, as it would take either team over 13 minutes to put points on the scoreboard with the Joes breaking the 0-0 tie when QB Pat Dickerson would connect with Shonn Herring for the first points of the game.  However, this would spark the Reloaded offense led by Rookie Dominic Willis who would rush his team back into a 6-6 tie with some nifty moves and a few broken tackles.  Then just before the half, the Joes would add a little insurance when Dickerson would now hook-up with Jared Brogden with less than two minutes in the half to give the Joes the 12-6 lead.  Willis and Reloaded would stall on their next possession and the teams would enter the break with the Joes leading 12-6.
     After the half, the Joes would again add some more cushion to the score when Dickerson would now use his legs to give the Joes a two touchdown lead at 19-6.  This cushion along with a Joes defense that has been solid all season would turn out to be critical as this would be the last time the Joes would find the endzone. 
     Watching the Joes score 13 unanswered points, Willis and Reloaded would do their best to get themselves back in the game and they would go on a bit of a unanswered scoring binge themselves.  Willis would once again rush for another touchdown around the 15 minute mark to cut the Joes' lead to seven and a late safety at the 19:14 mark would give Reloaded a chance to score and potentially win the game.  However, two late drops by Todd Utech and Mike Ozurigbo, would essentially be the straws that broke the camel's back as Reloaded would find themselves in a fourth down situation with little time on the clock and about 15 yards to score.  On the last play, Willis would show even more spectacular moves to elude would-be Joes tacklers, however his final pass would fall incomplete and the Joes would escape with the 19-14 victory.
     Jared Brogden was named MVP after a 3 reception (TD) and a defensive interception performance.  With the win the Joes can receive an automatic bid to the ELITE™ Division and when asked about their future, Coach John Branch simply said, "We'll see!".  Despite the loss, based on their performance this season and their record, Front Office officials hinted to offering Reloaded an invitation to the ELITE™ Division as well.

Passing: AJ: Pat Dickerson 2/0; Relaoded: D. Willis 0/1
Rushing: AJ: Pat Dickerson - 1; Reloaded: D. Willis - 2
Receiving: AJ: Jared Brogden 3/1, Shonn Herring 1/1; Reloaded: Z. Hershey 5/0, M. Ozurigbo 4/0
Interceptions: AJ: Jared Brogden 1/0
Sacks: Blincos: Reloaded: Z. Hershey 2/0, D. Smith 1/0
Tackles: AJ: J. Branch, A. Brooks, R. Wells - 5; Reloaded: Z. Hershey 7, D. Smith 4

‘Adios Amigos’ Says the Oddzmaker Challenge™
Lack of participation forces Interactivity Committee to phase game out.
        TAFFL’s Interactivity Committee on Monday announced that the long running Oddzmaker Challenge™ would be phased out at the conclusion of Season EXILE™.  The committee cites a general lack of participation from players as the number one factor for the action.
     “It saddens us to inform you that the Oddzmaker Challenge™ will no longer be a feature on the TAFFL website,” read a statement released by the Front Office.

     The game, which coincided with the weekly odds that were presented by the Resident Oddzmakers (RO and Mr. P.T., at one point was a highlight of the site.  It allowed players to chime in and win points with their opinions on who they thought would win weekly matchups.  They were able to present odds and their analysis.  The game would last through the conclusion of the regular season and the winner taking home some fabulous prizes, including gift certificates to Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, as well as registration discounts and free dinners.  However, as the team counts became larger and larger season after season, ironically the participation in the game became smaller and smaller.
     “It was a very entertaining part of the site,” said President Marcus Cole.  “I’m still in amazed to think that more and more players would not want to participate, especially in a League with so many opinions.”
     At the conclusion of the game this season, Da Inc.’s Que Wright would walk away with his second consecutive Oddzmaker Challenge™ win, with a dramatic come from behind victory based on a correct spread and score in the final week, a feat he accomplished twice last season.  Wright was able to guess the exact score in a contest between the G.C. Bears and Average Joes, which awarded Wright with a bonus of 10 points and enough to overtake and secure the lead from the RO. 
     When asked what the committee had in store to replace the Oddzmaker Challenge™ Cole said, “I usually let the committee handle that and just give the final approval when needed.  At this point, I am not sure what they have up their sleeves, however I trust that whatever it is will be an excellent replacement and addition to the most feature rich website out there dedicated to Flag Football.”
     The Front Office was hesitant to say if the game would ever make a return, however they assured us it would take a substantial interest for them to revisit.    
     Past winners of the Oddzmaker Challenge have included.

Season V – Calvin Cole (Thundercats)
                Season VI – Matt Raydo (Raleigh Thunder)
                Season VII – Brian Harpster (Da Inc.)

Season VIII – TIE (RO & Andrew Manzolillo)
                Season IX – Al Dunston (Average Joes)

Season X – Que Wright (Da Inc.)
                Season XI – Que Wright (Da Inc.)

Offseason Work Starts Now For Front Office
Several ‘Hot Topics’ to be discussed entering off-season meetings.

     The Front Office is already gearing up for an intense session of offseason meetings with regards to Season 12, although many of the ‘hot topics’ to be decided on, will inevitably find their way into HEAT™, set to kick-off in June.  Talks will range from the ominous divide between ELITE™ and PREMIER™ Division qualifications, officiating stability, scheduling, and a revisit to the forfeit rules, all of which will draw spirited debate.
     Although first on the list is the urgency to assemble a consistent crew of officials. Season EXILE™ saw its share of officiating woes, however this time not from the players’ and fans’ opinions on a particular official’s ability to call a ‘good’ game, but the lack of officials in general. 

     ‘I’m not sure what happened,” stated President Marcus Cole.  “In almost every week this season, there was supposed to be coverage, as to what happened, I’m at a loss for words.  By no means, would I ever want to have only one official in a game, yet I am 100% confident in those instances my crew did their very best to call a good and fair game.”

     The League is currently doing all it can to secure officials, not only entering TAFFL HEAT™, but they are also hoping to use HEAT™ as a ‘live’ training ground to prepare any new officials for Season 12.
     The League will also be looking into the downsizing of the ELITE™ Division to 10-12 teams after watching the Season EXILE™ playoffs include six teams below .500, including a 1-6 Da Inc.  “That was atrocious,” one official commented.  “It’s absolutely ridiculous to have that many losing teams attempting to win a Championship,” he continued.  “When we voted on splitting the League into skill-based divisions, we were trying to eliminate some of the disparity we’d seen in past seasons, however I’m not sure we accomplished that at all.  We watched a very good playoff race take place in the PREMIER™ Division, however the ELITE™ Division was light-years behind the PREMIER™ and a bit of an eyesore, so that will definitely need to get fixed.”  At this point, the League has no information as to what requirements will need to be met for inclusion in the ELITE™ Division, although they did hint that some teams who are currently at the ELITE™ status would need to fight to remain there.  Asked about a possible tournament for ELITE™ placement, the League commented favorably, by saying that this would be one of the criteria for inclusion entering Season 12.
     Unlike in seasons past, officials made it clear that changes that take place during the offseason will be in everyone’s best interest to make the game even better.  They also said that more and more player input would be used in making final decisions.

League Announces Season EXILE™ award winners
From MVP to Rookie of the Year the winners are…
     The Awards Committee recently released the winners of the Season EXILE™ player awards.  Included in the list are several new awards, i.e. Top Coach, Top O-Lineman and D-Lineman, and a Utility Belt Award™ present to that player who contributes to his team both offensively and defensively.      
     This season awards were broken down by Division and the list is as follows.

ALL-TAFFL LIST REVEALED
Despite non-voting by players this season, the Committee releases the list to the public

            Upon revealing the individual awards on Monday, the All-Star committee also released its list of All-Stars to the public.  This season, due to strict production deadlines, the League was unable to secure player votes as it has in the past, but Front Office officials are not concerned that this will be an issue in the future.  Tight scheduling towards the end of the season along with some minor technicalities forced the Committee to release the list without the aid of voting players and fans. 
            “We’re confident in our selections and are even more certain that our selections would have been completely in-line with the votes of the players and fans,” a Committee member stated. “It was an odd feeling for us to not get much player input this season, yet we are positive that this season was just an anomaly with regards to All-Star activities and should be back to par in Season 12.”

            The list, as broken down by skill-division, is as follows: