Gamblers Road to the WDC Title
8-man Pro Championship Recap

During Saturday’s seeding round of play in the MCFFU Western Division Championships, the Denver Gamblers drew the number one seed for Sunday’s elimination round.  However, the top seed did not ensure an easy road to the championship as some of the best teams representing the West appeared on their side of the bracket. 

The Gamblers first opponent of the day was a familiar foe, Ace from Colorado.  These two teams have squared off six times in the past two years with the Gamblers owning a 4-2 advantage.  The Gamblers mindset entering the game against Ace was to not overlook them in lieu of their past three contests.  Also, Swarm won their first round game and was awaiting the victor, it was vital the Gamblers maintained focus and played one game at a time. 

On the very first play of the game, the Gamblers turned the ball over on an interception and Ace drove 60 yards for the games first score.  Down 7-0 the Gamblers struck quickly to tie the game at 7 and from there never looked back.  The Gambler defense stiffened the remainder of the game and kept Ace from crossing midfield for majority of the second half.  Final score: 21-7.  Keys to the Game: Roman Hollowell and Tommy Beal provided long catch and runs that broke the game open for the Gamblers.  Gambler Defense confused Ace’s versatile QB.  

As mentioned above, San Diego Swarm awaited the victor and it proved worthwhile for all to see as these two teams were predicted to finish in the final four.  As competitive as the “Pro” division was however, it was no surprise these two teams met in the Quarterfinals.  During Saturday’s seeding round of play, Swarm suffered a defeat at the hands of the South Bay Ballers by a score of 12-7 and therefore found themselves in the middle of elimination play. 

Geared up and ready to play a re-match from the $10K Bakersfield tournament, in which the Gamblers eliminated the Swarm 26-6, both teams were full of emotion.  The Gamblers, in their first drive turned the ball over on an interception and Swarm looked to capitalize.  On its second play from scrimmage Swarm went deep to G-Whiz on a traditional “Go-route” but was intercepted by Shoddy Carter, who is just as fast. 

His return and lateral for a touchdown was called back for illegal blocking but his Gamblers didn’t hesitate scoring within 3 plays on a long ball to Roman Hollowell.  Swarm began its ensuing possession only to be picked off again at mid-field by Rashidi Barnes but the Gamblers offense was stymied by a resilient defense.  With one minute remaining in the half, the Gamblers punted and the ball was fielded by G-1 who returned it 65 yards to the Gambler 18 yard line. 

On forth and goal from the Gambler six with 6 seconds to play, it appeared Swarm would tie the game but an illegal participation nullified the score.  The Gamblers went into half-time leading 6-0 against California’s number one team.  Swarm began the second half on fire, eliminating the deep ball and utilizing short curl routes in addition to Jimi Dutra’s scrambling abilities.  Swarm advanced the ball to the Gambler 30 before being picked off by Shoc King off of a G-1 miscue. 

The Gamblers could not advance the ball from their own territory and was forced to punt.  Swarm advanced its next possession inside the Gambler 10 yard line before the defense applied its fierce heat and forced a change of possession.  There was one last chance for Swarm to score as they were with a 3rd and goal on the Gambler one yard line, but to no avail the Gambler defense was too tough. 

The Gamblers wasted no time and exploited a very frustrated Swarm defense and went over the top to Roman Hollowell for a 90 yard score.  Final score: 13-0.  Keys to the Game:  A very aggressive and fast Gambler defense preventing Swarm from making the big play when it needed it the most.  Denver Gambler’s Jason Willis’ flag pull at the 3 yard line to stop an apparent Swarm score.

Alas, the semi-final game that featured a re-match between Bakersfield’s $10k Championship opponents, the Denver Gamblers and the Houston Sleepers.  The Gamblers waited six months for this re-match and finally it was here.  Although it was the Gamblers third game in a row, fatigue did not matter as the possibility to rectify its only loss of the year overwhelmed them.  Again emotions were high, that Bad Ass Yella boy, the Rajun Cajun QB from the Sleepers began the game with his traditional pre-game dance, which got the crowd involved early. 

And so it went, after two offensive pass interference calls on the Gamblers during the first two plays of the game, they were faced with a 1st and 35.  On its third play the Gamblers turned the ball over on yet another interception but this time it was returned 15 yards for a score by the Sleepers.  With 20 minutes to play in the half, the Gamblers were down 7-0.  Not fazed by the set back, the Gamblers again scored quickly and from afar by hitting Roman Hollowell for a deep ball that went for about 70 yards.  As resilient as the Sleepers are, it was no surprise they took the next possession 80 yards on a clock killing drive that increased their lead to 13-6 at the half.  The Sleepers looked to capitalize on their lead by opening the second half with a score but the ever-so gifted Gambler defense thwarted the attempt. 

For the first time at this level, the Sleepers appeared out of sync as the scheme implored by the Gamblers seemed to have confused them.  Rushing the QB with hyper-speed rushers and mixing man to man with man zone coverage’s was obviously something the Sleepers didn’t plan on.  Forcing a change of possession the Gamblers methodically moved the ball down field by using receivers Darris Davenport, Tommy Beal, Greg Rodgers, James Thompson and Tracy Waddles in various ways.  The Gambler offense also became very physical with the Sleeper defense as heavy blocks were delivered to send a message, “by any means necessary.” 

With QB Tony Lindsay scrambling and the receivers not dropping anything near the Las Vegas 702 area code, the Gamblers scored to make the game 14-13.  The Sleepers, never behind in the entire tournament, fell behind for the first time and impatience set in.  Immediately the Rajun Cajun unleashed a spiral 50 yards to one of his gifted receivers but just like Swarm discovered, the Gamblers are fast too and the ball was intercepted by Paul Simmons.  Smelling the kill shot, the Gamblers wasted no time getting the ball back down field and scoring, increasing its lead 21-13 with just over a minute to play. 

The Gamblers attempted a two-point conversion but it was denied by a desperate pass rush and sack.  Now if you thought this game was over, you’ve never seen “Pro” level flag football.  The Sleepers took control of its last possession and moved the ball down field with quick and precise passing by HIS truly.  Before everyone knew it, there was 20+ seconds to play and the Sleepers were on the Gambler 15 yard line threatening to score.  On fourth and goal from the 10 yard line the Sleepers did just that by throwing a fade route to the corner of the end zone. 

Lining up for a two-point conversion without a huddle, the Sleepers figured they had something and moved quickly before the Gamblers could adjust.  Only this time the Gambler’s Paul Simmons came up big again by knocking the ball out of the receiver’s hands at the last second.  The Gambler’s Tracy Waddles had the last dance at mid-field.  Final Score: 21-19.  Keys to the game:  Gambler’s defensive ability to mix things up and get the Sleepers out of rhythm for a couple of series.

The Championship game featured an up and coming team named the Long Beach All-Stars that featured several players from the once nationally known “Bad Boyz” from Los Angeles, CA.  They defeated the ever-so powerful South Bay Ballers 12-0 to advance to the championship game against the Denver Gamblers.  Long Beach is a very fast team that is learning how to play physical while the Gamblers have written the book in those categories.  With this game being the Gamblers fourth game in a row with very little rest, their nerves appeared settled and their eyes were on the prize. 

Long Beach, appearing in their first major championship game was hyped as their pre-game ritual reminded spectators of Ray Lewis’.  As throughout this tournament the Gamblers began the game throwing an interception for a touchdown on the games first play.  Long Beach’s emotions went to another level but they were aware of the Gambler ability to play from behind.  On the Gamblers next possession it was three plays and out. 

Long Beach’s QB moved the ball down field to the Gambler 20 yard line when the Gamblers Shoc King came up with yet another interception a possible 14-0 deficit.  The Gambler offense regrouped, adjusted and quickly moved the ball down field to make the score 7-6 with a Greg Rodgers touchdown.  Confident and sure they belonged in game of this magnitude; Long Beach advanced the ball down field for its first offensive touchdown of the game making it 14-6 heading into halftime. 

Heading in to the second half, the Gamblers opted to take the wind and force Long Beach’s receiver’s to look into the sun.  The move proved vital as the evening in the desert took on an entirely new personality.  Long Beach mounted a drive that came up short due to a smart and aggressive Gambler defense and the game changed from that moment on.  Gabriel Lindsay caught a 30 yard pass with a Long Beach defender on his back.  Tommy Beal and Tracy Waddles turned simple catches into big gains.  Tony Lindsay’s scrambling ability wore the Long Beach ferocious rush attack down and he maneuvered to throw a second score to Greg Rodgers.  The games momentum had definitely swung (or blew) in the Gamblers favor with score showing 14-13 Long Beach. 

On the ensuing possession Long Beach was faced with a third and 10 (approx.) and threw a comeback route at the first down marker.  The wind caught the ball and middle linebacker Herman White of the Gamblers intercepted the pass and returned it to the Long Beach 19 yard line.  With a 3rd and goal on Long Beach’s 13 yard line with approximately 2:30 remaining, Tony Lindsay threw a dart to his brother Gabriel for the go ahead touchdown. 

THE CATCH was arguably the most spectacular of any catches at any level as it bounced of Gabriel’s hands, deflected off a Long Beach player, went behind Gabriel’s back and was caught (by Gabriel) before it ever hit the ground.  With just over two minutes remaining Long Beach could not mount a comeback and the Gamblers took possession with 1:18 remaining.  Final Score: 19-14.  Keys to the Game:  Gamblers decision at half time to force Long Beach to play against the wind with the Sun in their eyes.  Denver Gambler’s Herman White interception with five minutes to play.  Gabriel Lindsay’s remarkable concentration on the most incredible catch made at any level to win a game.

Tournament MVP – Pro Division:  WR Gabriel Lindsay