DOMINATORS EXTEND WINNING STREAK TO THREE
Patriots lose again despite major off-season changes
Plano, Texas – In the end, it all came down to the quarterback-dads.
In a game much closer than expected, the Dominators of the FFL (Family Football League) extended their all-time record against the Patriots to 3-0 with an 11-10 overtime win Saturday at Hackberry Park in Plano.
Overtime rules in an FFL game call for the opposing quarterback-dads to throw an uncontested pass from the seated position. The farthest throw wins, and Keith Seibert, the Dominators newly-acquired flame thrower, proved to have a stronger arm than Patriots long-time quarterback-dad Urban Rogers.
“Urban’s throw went the length of the field so I was pretty doubtful I’d have enough in me,” Keith screamed from the shoulders of his teammates after the game. “But I just dug deep and was able to throw the pass of my life. This is the greatest day ever.”
Michael Seibert, a new addition to the Patriots in the off-season, took home the coveted MVP trophy despite the loss with an unprecedented seven touchdowns in the game.
“I was happy to come out of retirement to try and help the Patriots out,” Seibert said as he slowly strolled off the field with his head down. “I had a good game, but it really doesn’t mean much right now. They signed me to help win, and we didn’t get it done. I think I have a rash.”
Seibert was an offensive force in the late 90s for the Chim Chim Charoos, but was indicted and charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a basketball. He served time but was later cleared of any wrongdoing. The incident effectively ended his career, until his coming out party today.
His late-signing wasn’t the only change in the game this year. In the off season, Dominators’ wide receiver, Allison Seibert, made it clear to team management that she was not happy with her contract.
After several weeks of negotiating with her agent, something team owner, general manager and MVP, Mark Rogers, does not do often, both parties felt it was best for Allison to move on. She was reluctantly traded to the Patriots for semi-retired and oft-injured Jeff Rogers.
Jeff couldn’t have been happier with the move since he was about to be released anyway.
“I just love playing the game of football,” Jeff said from his mother’s basement while playing Fable after today’s game. “I thought this was the end of the line for me with my back being as bad as it is, but Mark Rogers just showed what kind of owner and person he is by trading for me. I’m so thankful. Mark is really a shrewd business man. I think I'd like to date him.”
The Dominators also signed Allison Rogers’ dad, Keith Seibert, in a move that seemed motivated by Allison’s desire to leave the team. Rumors spread that the Dominators acquired Keith to create controversy and a distraction for Allison. It was an awkward press conference for all involved. Especially when Allison yelled, "I hate you, Dad. I hate you," and walked out.
The Dominators claimed Keith was necessary since then the team needed an extra player with Jenn Rogers on IR with a baby in her belly. Team doctors did not clear her to play. She could have cared less.
The FFL playing field, Westwood Park, had to undergo an emergency sprinkler installation so the league scrambled to find a suitable alternate venue.
Officials found and secured Hackberry Park with a payment of $100,000 to the local Boy Scout chapter. Officials argued that they were grossly overcharged. The Boy
Scouts just giggled and disappeared in between some houses with the money.
With the new teams assembled and a playing field determined, the stage was set for the third annual grudge match.
The cones were set, flags were handed out and the rules determined. The teams would play a total of 20 points. Whoever had the most points after four 5-point quarters would be declared the 2008 winner. In the event of a 10-10 tie, officials would come up with a tie-breaker.
The team captains met at midfield, Allison Rogers of the Patriots and Jennifer Rogers of the Dominators.
“It was weird meeting Allison at midfield before the game,” said Jennifer. “She’s been such a big part of what we’ve accomplished over the last few years. I spit at her but the wind took it just wide and I missed. I immediately apologized and we hugged.”
Jennifer won the best-of-three Rock, Paper, Scissors match and the Dominators took the ball first.
Heading into a stiff wind, newly acquired Keith Seibert and team MVP Mark Rogers decided to pull one out of the bag and go deep on the first play. It worked.
Mark ran a streak past Brad Rogers, who hyper-extended his knee and clumsily fell down, and Keith hit him in stride to make it 1-0 with just three seconds off the clock. It seemed the Dominators were on their way to another decisive victory.
It was the first 100 yard play in FFL history, but it would not be the last of the day.
The Patriots took control at their own goal line. After a short pass to Brad, who was able to walk off the knee injury, Urban Rogers hit Michael in the end zone to pull even, 1-1.
But Michael wasn’t done there. He intercepted Keith on the next Dominators’ possession and returned it for the score giving the Patriots their first lead of the day, 2-1.
On the next Dominator drive, Keith hit Jeff on a short pass. He then lateraled to Mark who outran the defense for the TD, and the score was tied at 2.
The first quarter ended with the second 100 yard pass play in FFL history. Urban hit a streaking Brad and the Patriots led 3-2. Mark had flawless coverage on the play.
It was just a perfectly thrown pass.
Michael continued his record-setting day with another pick-6 (or in this case, pick-1) to give the Patriots a 4-2 lead. Keith sat alone on the bench with his head in his hands.
But he couldn’t sit there long and the Dominators responded when Jennifer caught her first of two TD passes of the game keeping the score close.
Urban hit Michael with a jump pass capping a three-play, 100 yard drive that kept the Pats up two points.
At this point the game seemed to be over. A two point lead in such an offensive shootout would seem to have been enough, and the Dominators had yet to get a defensive stop.
With the game slipping away, Keith and Mark decided to go deep again. And for the third time in the half, the FFL record for longest play was tied as Mark streaked 100yards to catch the perfectly thrown touchdown pass.
The momentum stayed with the Dominators when their first defensive stop finally emerged. Mark intercepted a worn out Urban and ran in for the score.
“I tried to stop my arm from making the throw,” said Urban. “But my elbows are just too weak, and I thought I saw a man dressed up like a Diet Pepsi. I was distracted.”
At the end of the first half the score was tied at five points each.
The third quarter was more of the back-and-forth action. Michael caught another touchdown pass, and newly-acquired receiver, Jeff, caught a touchdown pass and intercepted Urban for a score giving his team their first lead since it was 1-0 in the first.
The Dominators were rolling and on a 4-1 run.
Michael then made the catch of the day, a one-handed beauty for a score. Jennifer countered with her second touchdown catch, and after three quarters of play the Dominators held an 8-7 lead.
The fourth quarter was full of controversial and odd plays.
On the Patriots first drive of the final quarter, Brad executed the “whirling dervish” route to perfection. He twirled in circles with his arms straight out all the way down the field singing "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music", knocking down his own teammate in the process, and was able to clear enough space to catch a pass in the front corner of the end zone.
The Dominators countered with the longest drive of the game, a 6-play march that ended with Keith hitting Mark to make it 9-8.
Just seconds later ex-Dominator turned Patriot, Allison, who’d been used as a decoy much of the game, made a great catch over two defenders that knotted the score at 9.
“It was great to score against my old team,” said Allison while pulling away in her new Cadillac Escalade. “I love my new contract.”
On the first play of what could have been the Dominators’ final possession, Keith tried hitting Mark on a deep bomb, but Michael was playing a zone and jumped the route. On the ensuing interception return, Keith reached out and pulled Michael’s flag just short of the goal line. Since the quarterbacks-dads were only supposed to throw the ball and count to ten, officials reviewed the play in the press box and ruled the play a touchdown. The Patriots held a 10-9 lead.
The Dominators had one chance to tie the score and get into overtime. A failure to score would have meant a victory for the Patriots and vindication for Allison and the Patriots.
Facing a third-and-long, Keith fired a low pass to Mark who dropped to the ground to make the catch in a cloud of dirt. When the dust settled, it was clear that the he had picked up a first down.
Facing third and goal, Keith fired a bullet to the back of the end zone for Jeff, but he was ruled out of bounds.
Fourth Down. A touchdown would send the game into overtime. An incomplete pass or interception? Game over.
The Dominators faked the shovel pass to Mark which drew the defense’s attention away from Jeff. Keith dodged Urban as the tall, lanky defender dove out for his ankles, rolled right only to find Mark covered by Michael, rolled back to his left, stepping over a fallen Urban who wasn’t anywhere near getting up, and lofted a pass into triple coverage.
Jeff leaped up in the air with flashes of greatness entering his head. A catch in a moment like this would prove that he was a good player which the Patriots should have never traded.
The ball landed in his hands. His feet came down in bounds. It was tied 10-10. And how the Dominators rejoiced.
The victory celebration was short-lived as league officials had to discuss the tie breaker. After consulting the rule books (since there has never been a tie at the end of regulation), it was determined that the quarterbacks-dads would have to throw a football into the wind from a seated position. The farthest throw would win the game.
“Urban’s throw was a perfect spiral and went the length of the field,” said Mark afterwards while hoisting his third consecutive FFL Championship Trophy. “I had my doubts since Keith is still recovering from the motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, but as soon as it left his hand, I knew it would be the winning throw.”
All Michael and Brad could so was say, "Oh no." It was the closest game in league history and third straight loss for the Patriots.
“I’m really getting tired of losing,” Brad said. He then added, “Geeez.”
Brad only had two touchdowns in the game since he was blanketed by Mark for most of the contest. Mark ended up with four touchdown catches and an interception return for a score. Jeff had three touchdowns, Jennifer scored two and Allison had one.
There was no debate about Michael getting the MVP trophy. He scored on offense four times and had three interception returns for touchdowns. A feat that may never again be duplicated, it was the shining moment in a long and prolific career for Michael.
The quarterback-dads also played exceptionally well. Urban threw seven touchdowns and was picked off twice while Keith threw eight touchdowns but was picked off three times, all by Michael.
Urban retired immediately after the game. Something he’s done each of the last three years. We expect him to play again next year. He was still laying on the field when the rest of the players left to go eat lunch.
The only spectator at the game this year was Janet the Photographer. She didn’t have media credentials but since there was no one else at the game, officials allowed her to work her magic.
It was a fantastic chapter in the FFL series. We can only hope for another great match up next year when the teams meet up during the Christmas holiday.
In a game much closer than expected, the Dominators of the FFL (Family Football League) extended their all-time record against the Patriots to 3-0 with an 11-10 overtime win Saturday at Hackberry Park in Plano.
Overtime rules in an FFL game call for the opposing quarterback-dads to throw an uncontested pass from the seated position. The farthest throw wins, and Keith Seibert, the Dominators newly-acquired flame thrower, proved to have a stronger arm than Patriots long-time quarterback-dad Urban Rogers.
“Urban’s throw went the length of the field so I was pretty doubtful I’d have enough in me,” Keith screamed from the shoulders of his teammates after the game. “But I just dug deep and was able to throw the pass of my life. This is the greatest day ever.”
Michael Seibert, a new addition to the Patriots in the off-season, took home the coveted MVP trophy despite the loss with an unprecedented seven touchdowns in the game.
“I was happy to come out of retirement to try and help the Patriots out,” Seibert said as he slowly strolled off the field with his head down. “I had a good game, but it really doesn’t mean much right now. They signed me to help win, and we didn’t get it done. I think I have a rash.”
Seibert was an offensive force in the late 90s for the Chim Chim Charoos, but was indicted and charged with having an inappropriate relationship with a basketball. He served time but was later cleared of any wrongdoing. The incident effectively ended his career, until his coming out party today.
His late-signing wasn’t the only change in the game this year. In the off season, Dominators’ wide receiver, Allison Seibert, made it clear to team management that she was not happy with her contract.
After several weeks of negotiating with her agent, something team owner, general manager and MVP, Mark Rogers, does not do often, both parties felt it was best for Allison to move on. She was reluctantly traded to the Patriots for semi-retired and oft-injured Jeff Rogers.
Jeff couldn’t have been happier with the move since he was about to be released anyway.
“I just love playing the game of football,” Jeff said from his mother’s basement while playing Fable after today’s game. “I thought this was the end of the line for me with my back being as bad as it is, but Mark Rogers just showed what kind of owner and person he is by trading for me. I’m so thankful. Mark is really a shrewd business man. I think I'd like to date him.”
The Dominators also signed Allison Rogers’ dad, Keith Seibert, in a move that seemed motivated by Allison’s desire to leave the team. Rumors spread that the Dominators acquired Keith to create controversy and a distraction for Allison. It was an awkward press conference for all involved. Especially when Allison yelled, "I hate you, Dad. I hate you," and walked out.
The Dominators claimed Keith was necessary since then the team needed an extra player with Jenn Rogers on IR with a baby in her belly. Team doctors did not clear her to play. She could have cared less.
The FFL playing field, Westwood Park, had to undergo an emergency sprinkler installation so the league scrambled to find a suitable alternate venue.
Officials found and secured Hackberry Park with a payment of $100,000 to the local Boy Scout chapter. Officials argued that they were grossly overcharged. The Boy
Scouts just giggled and disappeared in between some houses with the money.
With the new teams assembled and a playing field determined, the stage was set for the third annual grudge match.
The cones were set, flags were handed out and the rules determined. The teams would play a total of 20 points. Whoever had the most points after four 5-point quarters would be declared the 2008 winner. In the event of a 10-10 tie, officials would come up with a tie-breaker.
The team captains met at midfield, Allison Rogers of the Patriots and Jennifer Rogers of the Dominators.
“It was weird meeting Allison at midfield before the game,” said Jennifer. “She’s been such a big part of what we’ve accomplished over the last few years. I spit at her but the wind took it just wide and I missed. I immediately apologized and we hugged.”
Jennifer won the best-of-three Rock, Paper, Scissors match and the Dominators took the ball first.
Heading into a stiff wind, newly acquired Keith Seibert and team MVP Mark Rogers decided to pull one out of the bag and go deep on the first play. It worked.
Mark ran a streak past Brad Rogers, who hyper-extended his knee and clumsily fell down, and Keith hit him in stride to make it 1-0 with just three seconds off the clock. It seemed the Dominators were on their way to another decisive victory.
It was the first 100 yard play in FFL history, but it would not be the last of the day.
The Patriots took control at their own goal line. After a short pass to Brad, who was able to walk off the knee injury, Urban Rogers hit Michael in the end zone to pull even, 1-1.
But Michael wasn’t done there. He intercepted Keith on the next Dominators’ possession and returned it for the score giving the Patriots their first lead of the day, 2-1.
On the next Dominator drive, Keith hit Jeff on a short pass. He then lateraled to Mark who outran the defense for the TD, and the score was tied at 2.
The first quarter ended with the second 100 yard pass play in FFL history. Urban hit a streaking Brad and the Patriots led 3-2. Mark had flawless coverage on the play.
It was just a perfectly thrown pass.
Michael continued his record-setting day with another pick-6 (or in this case, pick-1) to give the Patriots a 4-2 lead. Keith sat alone on the bench with his head in his hands.
But he couldn’t sit there long and the Dominators responded when Jennifer caught her first of two TD passes of the game keeping the score close.
Urban hit Michael with a jump pass capping a three-play, 100 yard drive that kept the Pats up two points.
At this point the game seemed to be over. A two point lead in such an offensive shootout would seem to have been enough, and the Dominators had yet to get a defensive stop.
With the game slipping away, Keith and Mark decided to go deep again. And for the third time in the half, the FFL record for longest play was tied as Mark streaked 100yards to catch the perfectly thrown touchdown pass.
The momentum stayed with the Dominators when their first defensive stop finally emerged. Mark intercepted a worn out Urban and ran in for the score.
“I tried to stop my arm from making the throw,” said Urban. “But my elbows are just too weak, and I thought I saw a man dressed up like a Diet Pepsi. I was distracted.”
At the end of the first half the score was tied at five points each.
The third quarter was more of the back-and-forth action. Michael caught another touchdown pass, and newly-acquired receiver, Jeff, caught a touchdown pass and intercepted Urban for a score giving his team their first lead since it was 1-0 in the first.
The Dominators were rolling and on a 4-1 run.
Michael then made the catch of the day, a one-handed beauty for a score. Jennifer countered with her second touchdown catch, and after three quarters of play the Dominators held an 8-7 lead.
The fourth quarter was full of controversial and odd plays.
On the Patriots first drive of the final quarter, Brad executed the “whirling dervish” route to perfection. He twirled in circles with his arms straight out all the way down the field singing "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music", knocking down his own teammate in the process, and was able to clear enough space to catch a pass in the front corner of the end zone.
The Dominators countered with the longest drive of the game, a 6-play march that ended with Keith hitting Mark to make it 9-8.
Just seconds later ex-Dominator turned Patriot, Allison, who’d been used as a decoy much of the game, made a great catch over two defenders that knotted the score at 9.
“It was great to score against my old team,” said Allison while pulling away in her new Cadillac Escalade. “I love my new contract.”
On the first play of what could have been the Dominators’ final possession, Keith tried hitting Mark on a deep bomb, but Michael was playing a zone and jumped the route. On the ensuing interception return, Keith reached out and pulled Michael’s flag just short of the goal line. Since the quarterbacks-dads were only supposed to throw the ball and count to ten, officials reviewed the play in the press box and ruled the play a touchdown. The Patriots held a 10-9 lead.
The Dominators had one chance to tie the score and get into overtime. A failure to score would have meant a victory for the Patriots and vindication for Allison and the Patriots.
Facing a third-and-long, Keith fired a low pass to Mark who dropped to the ground to make the catch in a cloud of dirt. When the dust settled, it was clear that the he had picked up a first down.
Facing third and goal, Keith fired a bullet to the back of the end zone for Jeff, but he was ruled out of bounds.
Fourth Down. A touchdown would send the game into overtime. An incomplete pass or interception? Game over.
The Dominators faked the shovel pass to Mark which drew the defense’s attention away from Jeff. Keith dodged Urban as the tall, lanky defender dove out for his ankles, rolled right only to find Mark covered by Michael, rolled back to his left, stepping over a fallen Urban who wasn’t anywhere near getting up, and lofted a pass into triple coverage.
Jeff leaped up in the air with flashes of greatness entering his head. A catch in a moment like this would prove that he was a good player which the Patriots should have never traded.
The ball landed in his hands. His feet came down in bounds. It was tied 10-10. And how the Dominators rejoiced.
The victory celebration was short-lived as league officials had to discuss the tie breaker. After consulting the rule books (since there has never been a tie at the end of regulation), it was determined that the quarterbacks-dads would have to throw a football into the wind from a seated position. The farthest throw would win the game.
“Urban’s throw was a perfect spiral and went the length of the field,” said Mark afterwards while hoisting his third consecutive FFL Championship Trophy. “I had my doubts since Keith is still recovering from the motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, but as soon as it left his hand, I knew it would be the winning throw.”
All Michael and Brad could so was say, "Oh no." It was the closest game in league history and third straight loss for the Patriots.
“I’m really getting tired of losing,” Brad said. He then added, “Geeez.”
Brad only had two touchdowns in the game since he was blanketed by Mark for most of the contest. Mark ended up with four touchdown catches and an interception return for a score. Jeff had three touchdowns, Jennifer scored two and Allison had one.
There was no debate about Michael getting the MVP trophy. He scored on offense four times and had three interception returns for touchdowns. A feat that may never again be duplicated, it was the shining moment in a long and prolific career for Michael.
The quarterback-dads also played exceptionally well. Urban threw seven touchdowns and was picked off twice while Keith threw eight touchdowns but was picked off three times, all by Michael.
Urban retired immediately after the game. Something he’s done each of the last three years. We expect him to play again next year. He was still laying on the field when the rest of the players left to go eat lunch.
The only spectator at the game this year was Janet the Photographer. She didn’t have media credentials but since there was no one else at the game, officials allowed her to work her magic.
It was a fantastic chapter in the FFL series. We can only hope for another great match up next year when the teams meet up during the Christmas holiday.
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