FEBRUARY 2  -- GRIDIRON AMERICA Commissioner D.P. McIntire is asking two people to assist him in season statistic compilations. "I'm kind of bleary-eyed from looking at all this stuff, and need some fresh eyes to review it."

 

Those who volunteer would be responsible for going over each of the GRIDIRON AMERICA individual game reports (.PDF files) generated so far (and available here on GridironAmerica.com), providing McIntire with a game-by-game statistical recap similar to what's currently on each game report.  "Should I get two identical reports, or if they match with mine, I'll know they're accurate... if not, I'll know another look will be needed," said McIntire.

 

Potential volunteers are asked to contact D.P. via e-mail, or to approach him at Sunday's games for more information.

 

JANUARY 31  --  Antwon Anderson kicked the first field goal in GRIDIRON AMERICA's history as time expired Sunday to give Black Ops a 29-26 victory over the New Hope Knights in a contest that was well balanced on both sides.  Anderson would add an 8 for 11 passing performance and 7 carries in the victory, which propelled Oakwood over FC New Hope into second place as the season reaches its mid-way point.

Opposing receivers Jason Robertson from Black Ops and Brian Talbot of the Knights had identical performances, snaring 4 receptions and one touchdown each.  Mike Slominski scored on each of his two receptions for New Hope, while Joe Fernandez went 6 for 11 with 3 touchdowns in the loss.  Clock management proved decisive in this one, as Black Ops had sufficient time to drive downfield in four plays prior to the field goal - the first GRIDIRON AMERICA game where the kicking game decided the outcome.

JANUARY 31  --  A nip and tuck game for the first 20 minutes of play, Brooklyn FC took an unexpected lead when a Luis Benefield kickoff resulted in a single to take a 20-19 lead.  But Black Ops took things over from there, outscoring Brooklyn 17-6 the rest of the way via three different methods (two touchdowns, one safety, and the first defensive return in GA history by Jason Robertson), rebounding to earn a 36-26 victory.

The passing game wasn't all that spectacular as both teams' starting quarterbacks would post identical 7 for 16 performances through the air, each with 3 touchdowns. Oakwood's Cleveland Fowler would lead pass receivers with 5 receptions and a pair of touchdowns, but Luis Benefield's 3 touchdowns on just 4 receptions proved equally valued by Brooklyn.

JANUARY 31  --  Jeremy Way caught a touchdown pass from Joe Fernandez with :49 remaining, but a failed extra point conversion would result in the first tie in GRIDIRON AMERICA history as the New Hope Knights and Raleigh Skyliners would leave the field knotted at 34-34.  The 68 points between the teams marked the highest scoring game in GRIDIRON AMERICA history to date.

Raleigh's Mike Burns snared a record 8 passes from Patrick Weiss, representing half of Weiss' completions in a 16 for 26 effort which included 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  FC New Hope's Joe Fernandez meanwhile would go 7 for 16 with 4 touchdown strikes and 2 picks.  Failure to convert extra points coupled with turnovers forced by George Beinhart, Curtis Faircloth, Joe Fernandez and Mike Slominski proved pivotal in the game's outcome, as both teams were frustrated with their inability to get the two additional standings points that would have come with victory.

JANUARY 31  --  It's been said of future pro football Hall of Famer Cris Carter, "All he does it catch touchdowns."  Perhaps the same can be said of the Raleigh Skyliners George Beinhart, who found the end zone a GRIDIRON AMERICA record five times - scoring every time he caught a pass - in a 37-12 victory over Brooklyn FC.  He also would add an interception in the contest, putting more ink on the stamp for his MVP credentials this season.

Quarterback Pat Weiss was 13 for 17 in the game with six touchdowns for the Skyliners as the team put up a 25-0 first half lead thanks to Beinhart's interception and one by teammate Rob Shook.  Brooklyn would find the end zone just before the half and once more thanks to a sustained 9 play drive to start the second half, but the margin was just too much to overcome.  The Skyliners earned another 4 standings points with the win, putting them in a position where they "control their own destiny" going into the season's second half.

Welcome to GRIDIRON AMERICA, the newest amateur sports program from Capital Area Team Sports, Inc. ("CATS"), a non-profit organization based in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Founded in 1995, CATS has operated basketball, softball and flag football programs at both the team and league levels.  Now, we return to those foundations with GRIDIRON AMERICA, a series of three distinct styles of flag football play.

CATS experience in operating flag football leagues dates back to 2002.  For 9 years, our Independent Flag Football League featured men's contact styles of the game, each employing unique rules that provided a fast-paced, high scoring version of flag football.  And with GRIDIRON AMERICA, we return to those roots while adding some new innovations as well!

All styles of GRIDIRON AMERICA play utilize an Arena Football™ sized field, measuring 50 yards from goal line to goal line.  In men's play, contact blocking is permitted between offensive and defensive linemen.  Greater emphasis is placed on ball control than your typical "air it out" league - first downs are achieved by advancing the ball beyond each 15 yard line, and our scoring system rewards teams that can run the ball effectively.  And even the kicking game has its place in GRIDIRON AMERICA play, with CFL-style "singles" as well as the ability to attempt field goals.  Teams scoring touchdowns can try for 1, 2 or 3 points as well - meaning that even a 10 point lead isn't necessarily a safe one!

And off the field, GRIDIRON AMERICA will establish an organizational standard that's second to none, providing clubs and players with the best value possible and making everyone glad they've chosen to be part of it.  Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us - we'll be glad to answer any inquiries you may have.  In the meantime however, take a look around our site, and see if you might be interested in emigrating: to "One Nation, Under Football."  GRIDIRON AMERICA.