Signarama rallies to take center volleyball crown
Signarama advanced to the finals of the adult volleyball league at the Anna Maria Island Community Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, via forfeit when top-seed Southern Greens couldn’t field a team due to injury and illness.
The sign crew took advantage in dramatic fashion to win the championship match over Duncan Real Estate by scores of 20-25, 25-23, 25-11.
Duncan was having its way with Signarama behind solid play of Laura Alderson, Michelle Laade, Mike Bugel and Nick Smith. They were up by 7 points when along came player Ray Gardner, who had been outside coaching flag football. A quick timeout allowed Gardner to get into his Signarama uniform.
He then confidently called out, “We got this!” as the teams retook the court.
Duncan held on for the 25-20 victory on a kill by Alderson, but a seed of confidence was planted.
The next game saw Duncan Real Estate jump out in front again, taking a 20-13 lead, but three consecutive kills by Jordan Demers brought them closer and the one-two punch of Gardner and Demers did the rest. Gardner got three straight kills to pull within18-21 and his final kill of the game gave Signarama a 25-23 come-from-behind victory.
The last and deciding game was over pretty quickly as Signarama jumped all over Duncan. They led 8-3 on a Gardner kill before Duncan staged a brief rally to pull to 6-10 — and a Gardner hit sailed long. Demers got hot and Signarama cruised to a 25-11 victory.
Demers finished with 22 kills, while Gardner added 13. Marina Felipe finished with five aces, six service winners and was a steady passer from the back line, while Charlene Demers added three service winners in the victory.
Adult flag football playoffs underway
The adult flag football league playoffs got started this past week in both the 18-over and 30-over divisions. The 18-overs got started with four games March 3.
Slim’s Place Falcons opened by soaring past the Colts by a 46-12 score. The second game saw the Giants outscore Salty Printing Bengals 48-32, while the third game saw the Saints outlast Sugar Beach Digital Patriots 34-21.
The night’s final game saw Sato Real Estate Rams hold on to beat the Dolphins 27-19 behind the steady play of quarterback Chris Gillum. Gillum completed 12 of 18 passes, including two that went for touchdowns. His favorite target was Jason Sato, who finished with seven receptions, including two touchdowns and an extra point. Brandon Hartwig added three catches and one touchdown, while Shawn Kaleta completed the scoring with a touchdown run in the victory.
The Dolphins were led by quarterback Tim Shaughnessy, who completed 13 of 23 passes, including two for touchdowns. Andrew Turman finished with four receptions, including a touchdown and an extra point in the loss, while Brianna Shaughnessy added one touchdown reception.
The 30-plus playoffs got started March 5 with two games. The Packers opened the action with an exciting 35-34 win over the Giants, while the second game saw the Chiefs route Tyler’s Ice Cream Vikings 48-12.
Quarterback Chuck Buky keyed the Packers’ victory by completing 27-32 passes, including four touchdown passes. Scott Elisio was his favorite target, finishing with 11 catches, including two touchdown grabs, while Jim Ptak finished with eight receptions including a touchdown and an extra point. Tommy Tyrell completed the Packers scoring with a touchdown reception and a pair of extra points.
The Giants were led by a strong all-around game from Jesse Griffin. He finished with a pair of 45-yard touchdown receptions, a 45 yard touchdown run and an interception return for a touchdown to go along with a game-high seven flag pulls. Quarterback Jason Sato completed 15 of 21 passes, including three touchdown passes, while Frank Agnelli added six receptions, a touchdown and an extra point in the loss.
Super Bowl match ups set for youth flag football
The March 13 Super Bowl matchups are all set in each age division of the youth NFL Flag Football League at the center.
The Buccaneers defeated the Seahawks 32-20 and the Bears defeated Future Guardian Insurance Chiefs 18-12 during 8-10 division playoff action March 6.
The Buccaneers will take on the Bears in the 8-10 division Super Bowl at 6 p.m. Friday, March 13.
Amanda Richards Salon Cowboys didn’t have a prayer in a 61-12 loss to the Saints during the 11-13 division playoff March 5.
The following day saw the Buccaneers outlast the Dolphins 19-12 to join the Saints in the Super Bowl. The 11-13 Super Bowl is set for 7 p.m. March 13 at the center.
The 14-17 division semifinals were played March 3. The first game saw the Redskins edge LPAC Cardinals 27-20, while the Eagles flew past the Falcons 48-26 in the second game.
The 14-17 division Super Bowl is set for 8 p.m. March 13.
Stay tuned to the Islander sports section for all of the action and results.
Key Royale news
The men played a nine-hole, partner’s best ball golf match March 1. The team of Matt Behan and Bill Anderson combined on a 10-under-par 54 to match the scorecard of Chet Hutton and Jim Auch for a two-way tie for first place.
The afternoon saw another wave of men on the course for a nine-hole, modified-Stableford System or quota points match. Bob Pollock took individual honors with a score of plus-7, while Larry Solberg was alone in second place with a plus-4.
Pollock’s score helped his team of John Cassese and Bill MacMillan to a high score of plus-12. The team of Al Carr, Gary Duncan, Rich Papini and Larry Solberg followed in second with a plus-7.
The women took the course March 3 for a “make your own foursome.” Heather Pritchard rode birdies on the second and seventh holes to first place in Flight A with a 5-unde-par 27, one shot ahead of second-place finisher Debi Wohlers.
Beth Linderman took first place in Flight B with a 5-under-par 27, while Judy Ward took second place with 2-under-par 30.
Marty Clark torched the course with an 8-under-par 24, five shots better than second-place finisher Penny Auch.
Susan VanOrdsdel grabbed first place in Flight D with a 2-under-par 30, while Sally York was alone in second at 3-over 35.
Wohlers added a birdie on the sixth hole, while Brenda Solleveld and Joyce Lathrop had chipins on the day.
Horseshoe news
Several Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe regulars participated in the Gulf Coast Senior games Feb. 19. Herb Puryear, Bruce Munro, Bob Mason, Bill Fox, Jay Disbrow and Bill Wright won gold medals, while Bob Rawley, Bob Lee and Sam Samuels brought home silver. Samuels, Tim Sofran and Gene Bobeldyk also earned bronze medals at the games. Congratulations, guys.
Two teams emerged from March 7 pool play in horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Bob Palmer and Bob Mason edged Tim Sofran and Tom Skoloda 21-17 to earn a trip to the winner’s circle.
Five teams advanced to the knockout stage during March 4 horseshoe action. Herb Puryear and Bob Lee defeated Dom Livedoti and Ben Smith 21-15, while Bob Palmer and Sam Samuels earned a 21-14 decision over Jay Disbrow and Keith Erickson on a game-ending, double ringer by Palmer. Second-round action saw Lee and Puryear roll past Hank Huyghe and Bob Mason 21-6. In the finals, Palmer and Samuels slipped past Lee-Puryear 22-20.
Play gets underway at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m.