Team Breakdown
MCFFU California Great Cash Invitational

Teams To Watch:

Houston Sleepers (TX) : Tournament champion Houston Sleepers are noted, as being a non-physical team with a slow QB, but the truth is their offense can score on anyone, anywhere at any time. They have a quick hitting spread offense with quick WR’s who can take it to the house. The QB has a strong and accurate arm and can read a defense better than most QB’s. It doesn’t take long for him to make up his mind to throw and he only runs when he needs to and can make you miss. The defense is tough and can all pull flags.

Denver Gamblers (CO) : The Gamblers came in as one the favorites to win; can match up with anyone in the country with their athletes. A well coached and organized team the Gamblers are extremely physical and can run the screen to perfection; behind their big, athletic line and small speedy WR’s. Their secondary is gifted enough to go man against anyone’s receivers and have one of the best SS around. With more big games under his belt, their QB Tony Lindsay will cause defenses trouble with a strong arm, his ability to throw timing routes and being faster than just about anyone a team can send at him. They led the tournament by far in TKO’s with their down field blocking; they will hit you.

NX Level Devils (AZ) : The Nations top 4-man team is loaded with speed and is lead by QB/WR Keith Poole. Poole didn’t start the tournament at QB, but came in after their first lost and caught the attention of everyone with his speed and surprisingly accurate arm on the run. The Devils are built with speed from top to bottom and everyone can catch the rock. After moving to a spread offense the Devils, only 11 deep appeared to be a final four favorite until falling to the Swarm with a tipped INT in the end zone on the possible game winning drive. The Devils are a few bodies away from being the real deal in 8-Man and look to return for other tournaments including the Nationals to compete more in this style.

Daygo Funhouse (CA) : Already a gifted team they picked up G1 from the Swarm full-time and were one of the tournaments favorites to win it all. They lost a 19-6 lead to the Sleepers, but displayed big play ability throughout the tournament. Their QB knows the game and is surrounded by athletes and solid defense. How they loss to the Sleepers is still a mystery; that game was all but over.

Swarm (CA): Loss G1 to their rivals Daygo Funhouse but replaced him with another speedy RB/WR who is hell in the open field. They also lost Jimmy Dutra, but replaced him with a big and extremely accurate QB that knows the game. They can still score and know the game well enough to be there in the end every time.

Tournament Sleepers:

Team Xavix (CA): Team Xavix (pronounced Za-v-ex former makers of Nintendo) were the AFA’s 2004-05 AA Division Champions. They have recently combined with another team in their area and played outstanding ball all weekend long. Elusive QB who can throw on the move and WR’s who will make the plays in tight coverage. They are surprisingly physical and more athletic than they would first appear.

Team Fresno (CA): Led by the “Latin-Houdini”, J.J. Vasquezo this team can play with anyone, but lack depth and overall talent. J.J. can dance in the pocket seemingly for hours before making a big play 20+ yards down field – he is fun to watch. They are missing a few playmakers but in a single elimination situation; they are not a pleasant sight.

Raizin Chaos (CA): Team Chaos, though short-handed posses one of the best running attacks you will see. Their O-line knows the game and will make a hole and get up field in a hurry. RB Herman Cook is an absolute demon with the ball in his hands and once he gets in open field there is no one that will get him one-on-one. They played QB by committee, but if they find one that can make the plays down field and get the ball to Cook in the right situation, they go far in any tournament. They were missing several key players but made no excuses.

Ghetto Birds (CA): The Ghetto Birds where one of the top stories of the tournament. Their QB moves well in the pocket and is very accurate and controls his offense well. They have a scrappy defense that gave teams fits all weekend long. They have a big WR (ex TE from Kansas State) who can go get’em deep and will win most jump balls. They are 1 or 2 big playmakers away from being an elite team in the country.

Tournament Disappointments:

Team Hurt: Did not have all of its players on Saturday (only 9 made the trip) and got a tough 1st round game on Sunday. They took their lumps and did not complain. But to their own admission, they were not ready to play in this type of tournament with no practice or games leading up to this past weekend. This tournament was not Carpinteria!

The Show: Lost two big time playmakers on offense (WR’s) to Florida State, but participated nonetheless. They will have to regroup and rededicate themselves to get better in future tournaments. They are a few players away from being an elite team. Had tough draw, but so did every team. No team could hide in this one. 

Both of these teams are much better than their showing this past weekend which is why they made the tournament disappointment list.  However they showed up to fight with limited resources and made no excuses and for that they are commended by all of us..