Long Beach All-Stars; 2008 World Champs
Dallas, TX - World Championships 3

Not since the trifecta of the 2006 World Champions All-Met (MD), has a team looked as dominate as the All-Stars of Long Beach (CA) over the last year.  After going undefeated on their way to the 2008 Western National Championship title in Las Vegas, NV, Long Beach completed their season with a World Championship title.   

Just 3 years ago, this same team struggled in major tournaments, including finishing a dismal 1 and 2 in the $10k tournament in Bakersfield, CA in 2005.  Continuing to play deep in the shadows of the 8-Man greats of the west (Swarm, Daygo Funhouse, North Highland Posse, South Bay Ballers), L.B. began showing signs of improvement in national tournament play; a championship game loss in the WNC 2006, followed by a 13-12 OT loss to the South Bay Ballers in the semi-finals who went on to win the 2007 WNC title.

In their first trip to the Flag Football World Championships in 2006, Long Beach was hardly even mentioned or noticed for that matter, while low numbers and injuries had the All-Stars reeling in 2007 and barely making the WC Sunday 16.   

A bloody-nosed, sore-handed coach Neil Nelson, who had feared missing the Sunday 16 just the day before stated that he had learned a lot from what he had witnessed in the World Championships; especially from the spread-offenses run by teams such as the Scatbacks (TX), New Orleans Hitmen (LA) and Dallas Primetime (TX).

He watched the semi-final match-up between All-Met (MD) and Pfuzion (GA) well after his team had been eliminated to pick up more ideas, schemes and strategies.  One year later; Neil completed construction of a World Championship team; which included 3 unprecedented wins over All-Met; one of 8-Man’s premier teams.

What is Long Beach doing so differently?  You can begin with an offense that incorporates a spread passing attack from the South and an irregular blocking scheme from the East. 

Long Beach has created a hybrid offense that keeps defenses guessing and LB in the red zone.  Add to this a physical defense anchored by a strong, quick D-line and you have a championship-caliber team that’s tough to beat.Long Beach, now atop of the 8-Man ranks and receiving invites to attend every tournament from LA to VA, will have their hands full trying to duplicate last years run to the championship.    

For those questioning Long Beach’s legitimacy, no need to question - they are as good as advertised and show no signs of slowing down.