The 2026 summer flag football season at the Center of Anna Maria Island came to a close with semifinal and championship games played Sept. 10-11.
No. 2 seed Luxury Services cruised to the championship on a 34-14 victory over No. 1 Fish Guy Aquarium Services behind three touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns from quarterback Chase Richardson. Two of the touchdown passes went to Deny Dennis, while Travis Bates grabbed the other touchdown catch.
Karri Stephens had a big day on defense, finishing with a team-high seven flag pulls to go along with a sack that resulted in a safety and an interception.
Miguel Rodriguez threw a pair of touchdown passes for the Fish Guy, which also received TDs from Tim Holly and Jaylen Rodriguez in the loss.
The Fish Guy advanced to the championship game by defeating Pavina Bros. Window Cleaning 23-13 in the Sept. 10 semifinal.
In that game, Miguel Rodriguez threw a pair of touchdown passes and Tim Holly threw for a score and added a touchdown catch. Connor Ludwig and Jaylen Rodriguez each added a touchdown catch to complete the scoring in the victory.
Steven Pavina and Dallas Buchholtz each threw a TD pass and Christian McPherson and Luke Naeher both had TD catches in the loss.
Luxury Services cruised into the championship game with a 33-13 victory over Fishing with Salty. In that game, Chase Richardson threw for two scores and ran for two scores, adding an interception return for a TD to lead Luxury Services, which also received TD catches from Connor Morse and Deny Dennis.
Dominick Otteni threw touchdown passes to Brandon Rolland and Jonathan Soultatos for Fishing with Salty in the loss at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
Key Royale golf news
Members of the Key Royale Club, 700 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach, celebrated Labor Day with a nine-hole scramble Sept. 7. Cecil Harrelson, Dennis Kitterman, Ryan May and Kat Wilson combined on a 3-under-par 29 to win the day’s championship. The team of Jana Samuels, Warren Stevens, Joe Coyne and Leo Burke finished a stroke back in second.
Rene Chapman, Bill Shuman and Dave Richardson won the long-drive contests, while Mike Cusato took the prize for closest-to-the-pin.
The women played a nine-hole individual low-net match Sept. 8 that saw Sue Wheeler fire a 2-over-par 34, earning bragging rights for the day. Rene Chapman was a stroke back in second while Mary Ann Latham was in third with a 4-over-par 36.
Members played a nine-hole scramble Sept. 10 to close out the week of organized golf. Ron Buck, Ron Vandeman and Steve Vasbinder combined on a 2-under-par 30 to win the challenge.
Horseshoe news
Two teams emerged from pool play and settled things in a playoff Sept. 9 during horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits.
Tom Farrington and Gersey Fernandes easily dispatched Tim Sofran and Gary Howcroft 23-5 to win the day’s bragging rights.
The Sept. 12 games saw Fernandes back in the mix, this time teaming up with Billy Silver to earn a 21-15 victory over Farrington and Howcroft in a matchup of two 3-0 teams.
Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria City Hall pits, 10005 Gulf Drive. Warm-ups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection.
There are no fees and all are welcome.
New run club set to launch at Robinson Preserve
The J Way Run Club will hold its first — and free — meetup at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Robinson Preserve’s Manatee Avenue entrance parking lot.
Founder Josey Presswood started the club to bring runners and walkers together, no matter their age or pace, over 3 miles of trail.
Participants will meet and stretch at 7 a.m. in the parking lot.
The walk/run will begin at 7:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Presswood at 941-398-3125 or info@thejwayllc.com.