Blue Devils Flag Football

2006 USFTL Referee's NIT

Going into the tournament the Devils knew they would have to be at the top of their game to come out on top in this tournament as 12 of the top 15 nationally ranked USFTL teams would be in attendance. The Devils were matched up with 216 Empire (Cleveland, OH) in the opening round. Empire played extemely well as their offense proved to be difficult to stop. With the score tied 8-8, Empire drove down to the Devils 1 yard line late in the game. On 4th and goal from the 1, Empire tried a QB sneak but the Devils defensive line proved to be too powerful as Steve Durbin and Pete Davila broke through to prevent the score. On the very next play QB AJ Saul connected with Seth Steiner on a screen that went 99 yards for a touchdown and gave the Devils the opening round victory. A one-point loss to the Young Guns (Beltsville, MD) in the second round knocked the Devils into the losers bracket. The Devils were then matched up with the DC Jets. This game proved to be very similar to the last few meetings between the two teams with both defenses playing very well. Offensively, the Devils drove the ball inside the DC Jets' red zone three times, but costly turnovers prevented the Devils from putting points on the board. Late in the 2nd half, Saul connected with John Burd for the only score of the game to give the Devils an 8-0 victory. The Devils then met up with Brothers AC (Washington, DC) in a rematch of the championship game at the AFTFL Virginia Beach NIT. The Devils offensive drove right down the field as Saul connected with Steiner to get them inside the 5-yard line. Brothers AC's defense prevented the Devils from getting in the endzone and forced them to settle for a field goal. On the ensuing drive, Brothers AC drove right down the field for the score to put them ahead 8-3. The Devils had one more chance to score just before half as they drove down inside the Brothers AC red zone, but a costly interception prevented the Devils from putting any points on the board. After another Brothers AC touchdown late in the second half, the Devils were finally able to get in the end zone after Saul connected on a deep pass to Elliott Giles. The Devils scored two plays later as Saul connected with Poog Williams and Jake Stewart added the PAT to make the score 14-11 in favor of Brothers AC. Brothers AC was able to run out the clock and prevent the Devils' offense from getting another opportunity to score.