2 Days In The Cali-Valley
Bakersfield Re-cap

Surrounded by mountains and smothered in 100-degree heat, the Great California Invitational took center stage as teams prepared to battle for the years biggest cash payout by the Union!

2 days in the “Cali-Valley” was something serious; other than the temperatures teams faced top competition from the Western Conference. Teams such as: Swarm (CA), Houston Sleepers (TX), Denver Gamblers (CO), Daygo Funhouse (CA), NX Level Devils (AZ), Team Hurt (CA) and The Show (CA) just to name a few.

It appeared to be headed towards an all San Diego final four early as Team Xavix blanked 1 st Choice and Swarm dismantling the Northwest Nightmares in the first games in the quarter finals, while the other two San Diego teams had two of the Central Division’s top teams on the ropes.

In a shocker, the Ghetto Birds out of San Diego manned with only 12 players had the Denver Gamblers by 6 at the half. This same team (Ghetto Birds) held a 14-0 lead in the second half over the tournament champs Houston Sleepers one day earlier before losing the lead with seconds to go! However, the Gamblers D stiffened and QB Tony Lindsay took over late to end the tournaments Cinderella Team’s run.

On field 2, the Sleepers found themselves down 19-6 at the half in a laugher before they took complete control in the second half to pull out the win over the favorites Daygo Funhouse, who witnessed first hand what the tournament MVP (Name) was capable of when he posted 2 late TD’s to seal Funhouses chances. Coming back from double-digit deficits was the blue plate special served cold by the Rajin Cajun of the Sleepers and he was dishing out seconds.

These late come back wins help set up a bout between The Sleepers and a scrappy Team Xavix and a re-match between the Denver Gamblers and Swarm, where Swarm shut them out 6-0 in the first round on Saturday.

The Sleepers, who led most of the way, found themselves on the other end of a late come back as Team Xvaivx who would not die. Down by 2 TD’s Team Xvaivx mounted a serious comeback that fell just short losing 26-19. In the highly anticipated rematch between the Denver Gamblers and San Diego Swarm, it was all Denver in what turned out to be a lopsided win for the Gamblers who had control of this game from start to finish 26-6.

In the Championship Game, the Gamblers brought their physical style of play against the finesse of the Sleepers who play both contact and screen 8-Man in Texas. The game came down to the Gamblers young QB (Tony Lindsay) versus the Sleepers flamboyant vet (Derrick Calvin aka the Ragin Cajun); youth versus experience.

The Sleepers quickly took control on the second play of the game with a 75-yard strike giving Houston an early lead and never looked back. After a four and out series, the Sleepers took full advantage of the opportunity and scored again to take an early 2 TD lead and turned to their defense to hold the lead.

The Gamblers drew within a TD, but lost it on the ensuing possession. With a late effort in the first half that failed, the Gamblers found themselves turned away on consecutive drives in the red zone by the Sleepers defense. The Gamblers had their opportunities, however they could not punch it in aided by 2 crucial turnovers.

The Sleepers went on to win the tournament and the cash prize and placed themselves ahead of all the other teams in total cash earnings.  The two teams got together to pray at games end and broke the huddle with "Union" ringing throughout the Cali-Valley sending a message that the "U" is here!

Teams from this tournament will be participating in Kansas City and San Diego next month along with the Bill Williams Memorial Tournament, Championships in Las Vegas and of course the Nationals in Dallas, TX.

Now it’s on to Atlanta, DC and Kansas City for the Union and the cash tour as we prepare for the Championships and Nationals in 2006!

Tournament MVP: Houston Sleepers QB - Derrick Calvin