SPORTS

32 THE SUN SPORTS MARCH 16, 2022

Moss Builders dominates youth flag football

BY MONICA SIMPSON

SPECIAL TO THE SUN

ANNA MARIA – The stage was set at the beginning of the youth flag football season for volunteer coach Ryan Moss and his son, Mason, to sweep the championships in both youth flag leagues.

The task was not an easy one. The Moss Builders teams each had their worthy opponents, challenging the veteran coach and his teams every step of the way.

At the end of last Tuesday night’s youth flag football playoff action, Moss Builders were the victors in the championship games in both the 8- to 10-year-old and 11- to 13-year-old leagues at the Island’s community center.

In the younger league, Moss Builders faced Prosper Bradenton in the semifinal game, defeating the underdog team by seven points, 3326. Solid Rock Construction defeated Beach Bums in a close one, 26-25, to move them on to the championship game against Moss Builders.

The two squads spent the entire season at the top of the ranks. Despite two passing touchdowns by Solid Rock’s QB Van Havell to Colson Mendiola and Mckenna Darak, Solid Rock could not capture the big win.

Isaac Roadman supported his team with a big catch. In addition to a TD reception, Roadman’s teammate, Darak, scored a point after attempt (PAT) and finished the game with four catches.

Mendiola and Havell connected for three receptions in the two halves of championship play. Team support and big plays came throughout the season by Solid Rock teammates Nixon Conner, Matthew Darak, Braylen Briggs and Obi Roadman.

Impressive statistics were recorded by the younger Moss Builders team last Tuesday night. With Mason Moss at the helm playing quarterback, the team took the first of two championship games for the Moss Builders sponsor.

Throwing for 15 completions, four touchdowns and three extra points, Moss led his team to victory.

His targets were Aidan Guess and younger brother Miles Moss, each with three catches. Miles scored two points with successful PATs.

Teammate Turner Worth had an extra point catch, in addition to receiving a touchdown throw from Mason Moss. Moss Builders’ Austin Guess topped the charts with three connections with Mason for a total of 18 points in the 27-15 final game of the season win.

Moss Builders success this season came with the offensive and defensive play of Andre Harwood, Gabrielle Bodnar, Blake Bodnar and Carson Long.

Team Nissan of Bradenton was the championship team’s semifinal opponent in the 11- to 13-yearold age group play. Winning by 10 points, Moss Builders went up against the tough, top-seeded Blalock Walters squad in the big game. Blalock advanced to play Moss Builders after their 15-point win over HSH.

The final game of the night was action-packed and in the end was a two-point ballgame, with Moss

MONICA SIMPSON | SUN The 8- to 10-year-old flag football league champions, team Moss Builders, won the big game at the Island’s community center last week. Pictured left to right: Austin Guess, Andre Harwood, Aiden Guess, Turner Worth, Carson Long, Miles Moss, Mason Moss, and Coach Ryan Moss. Not pictured: Blake Bodnar and Gabrielle Bodnar.

Builders taking home the win 27-25.

Coming into the game as the topranked team, Blalock Walters knew the arm of Ashton Hovda would keep the game within reach, if not take his team all the way. With three passing touchdowns, two to brother Peyton Hovda and one to Liam Proud, Aston and the Blalock squad came close.

Teammate Jackson Zoller sped down the gridiron for six points, taking the football into the endzone. Cale Rudacille, with two critical catches in the game, scored an extra point for Blalock Walters, helping to keep his team on the heels of Moss Builders.

Mazie Zoller and Mattox Caseman wore the Blalock Walters jersey proudly and made key plays for their team all season.

Once again playing quarterback, Mason Moss helped his team win the final game of the night. Moss threw three touchdown passes against the Blalock defense, hitting Greg Jordan each time.

Jordan and Moss connected 11 times for a total of 21 points, including three total extra points. Moss hit his other target, Luke Winsper, twice to make positive yardage.

The cherry on top in his dual league play this season was Moss’ rushing touchdown in the final game of the season. Taking the football into the endzone, Moss added six points of his own to the record books.

The 11- to 13-year-old championship Moss Builders team chased the season leader, Blalock Walters, all season with the entire team playing at the top of their game. Matthew Winsper, Austin Guess, Bella Roadman, Addie Guess, Joey Suebert and Maddie Darak played hard and fought hard all season, helping to make Moss Builders champions.

The adult flag football games were canceled last week due to rain, delaying the championship game to a date to be determined. Adult indoor soccer play continued as scheduled, with the championship game on Thursday, March 17 at 9 p.m. at The Center.

SUN SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MARCH 8 YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL – SEMIFINAL PLAYOFF GAMES 8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE Moss Builders 33 Prosper Bradenton 26

Beach Bums 25 Solid Rock Construction 26

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE Blalock Walters 29 HSH 14

Moss Builders 27 Nissan of Bradenton 17

YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE Moss Builders 27 Solid Rock Construction 15

11- TO 13-YEAR-OLD LEAGUE Moss Builders 27 Blalock Walters 25

ADULT CO-ED INDOOR SOCCER – PLAYOFF GAMES Progressive Cabinetry 7 Gulfview Windows & Doors 21

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MARCH 16, 2022 FUN IN THE SUN THE SUN 33

Across

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Answers to 03-09-22 Crossword Puzzle.