Winter sports take over fields, gym at AM center
It was a busy week of winter sports for kids and adult players at the Anna Maria Island Community Center.
The outdoor fields came alive for the kick off of the NFL flag football youth league Jan. 11 with Spirit Day — a day-long series of half games and a contest among fans and teams to show who has the most team spirit.
No official scores were kept, and a good time was had by all.
The adult volleyball league started up in the gym Jan. 9 with three matches. Duncan Real Estate shot past Southern Greens 25-13, 25-8, in the first matchup. Next up, Florida Discount Signs & Wraps defeated Southern Greens 25-16, 25-13.
Duncan Real Estate then slipped by Florida Discount Signs & Wraps, scoring 25-21, 25-22, in the day’s third match.
Adult flag football kicks off, too
The NFL flag football adult league got going Jan. 9 at the center — minus the Spirit Day hoopla — with three full games in its 18-and-over division.
Slim’s Place Bears trampled the Beach Bistro Raiders 31-14 in the first game, while the final game of the evening saw Beach to Bay Construction Dolphins overwhelm The Waterfront Restaurant Panthers by a 55-6 score.
In between, there was one close game — The Islander’s game of the week. Agnelli Pool & Spa Giants edged Duffy’s Tavern Seahawks 32-25 behind a big game from quarterback Rob Manderine. Manderine completed 13 of 24 passes for 167 yards and three touchdown passes, while also rushing for 32 yards and a touchdown.
Frank Agnelli was his favorite target, catching five passes for 47 yards and a pair of touchdown receptions, while Andrew Turman added four catches for 75 yards and one touchdown.
Caleb Earhard led the Giant defense with five flag pulls and an interception, while Turman also chipped in with an interception.
Duffy’s Tavern Seahawks were led by Jason Vancleve, who accounted for two touchdowns in the game. He threw for a touchdown, while chipping in with 32 receiving yards and a touchdown. Dylan Kraut added a 5-yard touchdown reception and an interception return for a touchdown on defense. Craig Doehr completed the scoring for the Seahawks with one TD reception.
The 30-and-over division got going Jan. 10 with three games. Ross Built Panthers opened the season with an 18-0 victory over Jessie’s Island Store Buccaneers. The second game saw Agnelli Pool & Spa Giants edge Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings 20-14, but the game of the week was a 39-36 shootout victory by Island Gourmet Bills over Island Real Estate Raiders.
The Bills were led by quarterback Chuck Buky, who completed 13 of 23 passes for 302 yards and six touchdown passes. His favorite target was Jim Ptak, who caught seven balls for 150 yards and three touchdowns, while AJ Brown added three catches for 70 yards and a pair of touchdown receptions. Katie Berzowski completed the scoring with two catches for 45 yards and one touchdown.
Defensively, the Bills were paced by Brown’s four flag pulls and an interception by Ptak.
The Raiders were led by quarterback Chris Gillum, who completed 16 of 22 passes for 175 yards and five touchdown passes. Jason Vancleve was the top target on six throws for 102 yards and three touchdown receptions. Mike Gillum, with four catches for 42 yards and one touchdown and Erin Heckler, who had three catches for 28 yards and one touchdown, completed the scoring for the Raiders in the loss.
Vancleve led the Raiders defense with five flag pulls.
Horseshoe news
Three teams emerged from pool play during Jan. 11 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits and were left to battle for the day’s title.
Bob Palmer and Sam Samuels drew the bye into the finals and watched as Adin Shank and Rod Bussey rolled past Tom Skoloda and Bob Mason on a 24-13 score. The championship match was a tight one, ending when Bussey threw a match-clinching “six pack” to earn a 23-20 come-from-behind victory.
Bob Palmer and Sam Samuels were the only team that earned a 3-0 pool play record during Jan. 8 horseshoe action and were the day’s outright champs.
Play gets under way at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection.
There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.
AMICC NFL Flag Football schedule
5-7 Division
Jan. 17 6 p.m. Air & Energy vs. Miller Electric
Jan. 20 6 p.m. Miller Electric vs. Beaches Real Estate
8-10 Division
Jan. 15 6 p.m. Dolphins vs. Cowboys
Jan. 17 6 p.m. Manatee Diagnostic vs. Beach Bums
Jan. 17 7 p.m. Cowboys vs. Tyler’s Ice Cream
11-13 Division
Jan. 17 8 p.m. Beach to Bay Const. vs. Will C. Photos
Jan. 20 7 p.m. Will C. Photos vs. LPAC
Jan. 20 8 p.m. Sandbar vs. Ravens
14-17 Division
Jan. 16 6 p.m. The Sun vs. Waterfront Restaurant
Jan. 21 6 p.m. Swordfish Grill vs. The Sun
Jan. 21 7 p.m. The Feast vs. Jaguars
Jan. 21 8 p.m. Bengals vs. Waterfront Restaurant
18-and-Over Division
Jan. 15 7 p.m. Slim’s Place vs. Waterfront
Jan. 15 8 p.m. Agnelli Pool vs. Beach to Bay Const.
Jan. 15 9 p.m. Beach Bistro vs. Duffy’s
30-and-Over Division
Jan. 16 7 p.m. Jessie’s vs. Island Gourmet
Jan. 16 8 p.m. Agnelli Pool vs. Ross Built
Jan. 16 9 p.m. Tyler’s vs. IRE
Adult Volleyball
Feb. 4 6:30 p.m. Duncan Real Estate vs. Southern Greens
Feb. 4 7:30 p.m. FL Discount Signs vs. Duncan Real Estate
Feb. 4 8:30 p.m. Southern Greens vs. FL Discount Signs