MAY 13 -- The GRIDIRON AMERICA games originally scheduled for May 5 have now been rescheduled, with one of the four postponed games added to each of the last four weeks of regular season competition. To review the revised schedule, click here.
MAY 13 -- With first place atop the GRIDIRON AMERICA standings at stake, Durham Football Club's Dragons took few chances, utilizing a conservative offensive game plan coupled with standout defensive work including interceptions by David Downey, James Allensworth and Jayson Bookhart - the latter of which was returned for a touchdown - as the Dragons put together a 28-18 win over AFC Knightdale that propelled them atop the table.
Indicative of the game as a whole, the Saints offensive unit didn't take the field until over 8 minutes had elapsed in the first half, cooling the heels of quarterback Joe Fernandez, who would be picked off by Downey on just their second play from scrimmage. Knightdale's second possession would prove even more disastrous with Bookhart's interception, which gave the Dragons a 21-0 lead from which they could coast to victory.
Now with 9 points in the standings at 3-0-0, the Dragons lead the Saints by two points (2-1-0, with one bonus point), but with seven games to go for both teams and other clubs having games in hand, the race for GRIDIRON AMERICA's four playoff berths is already proving quite interesting indeed.
MAY 13 -- The Knights of FC New Hope brought in a new quarterback to help with their struggling offense, signing former IFFL standout Elo Hankham, and while it provided better offense Hankham's addition wouldn't prove enough to best the Dragons of Durham FC, who jumped out to a 20-6 lead early in the second half, then coasted the rest of the way to their second victory of the season.
James Allensworth made his name known in GRIDIRON AMERICA circles in the contest, snagging four Ryan Shands passes - each one of which added points to the Dragons' total. Shands would add a touchdown strike to Jayson Bookhart and another score on the ground to bring the Dragons within one point of first-place AFC Knightdale heading into their showdown later in the day.
MAY 13 -- It was a study of contrasting styles and questionable officiating Saturday as the Saints of AFC Knightdale added 3 points to their standings book with a last-second, come from behind 20-19 victory over the Hedingham Homewreckers. The teams began the game by trading turnovers (Knightdale's on downs, Hedingham's via Luke Covington pass intercepted by Damian Jones), then locked in a defensive struggle through the rest of the contest.
The key moments of the game however would come in the final drive, as a roughing the passer foul against the Homewreckers would put the Saints in a position to score, which they would do as time expired to make the score 19-18. Opting to go for the win, Joe Fernandez threw a pass over the head of would-be receiver Devonte Watkins, only to have the play negated by game official Antwon Anderson, who called a defensive pass interference foul against the Homewreckers. The Saints' second try for two would be successful as Fernandez found Darrian Jones, earning them the controversial 20-19 victory and, at least temporarily, first place in the standings table.
MAY 13 -- In a rematch of the Spring 2012 AmeriBowl Championship Game, the Skyliners of Raleigh AFC once again emerged victorious, defeating Black Ops, 34-31 Saturday. John Robertson led the blue and white to the victory, and while he went just 4-for-7 through the air as the team's signal caller, his addition of two rushing touchdowns and a kickoff return for a touchdown at the 1-minute mark of the second half would provide the points that secured three points for the Skyliners.
The game initially looked as though the game would resemble another high-flying circus of offense between the two clubs, who last season set the GA record for most points scored in a single game. 20 points were split between the teams after just three plays from scrimmage thanks to an opening drive 25-yard strike from Robertson to George Beinhart, followed immediately by an A.J. Clanton kickoff return for a touchdown... followed by another Robertson-to-Beinhart strike, this one from roughly 35 yards out, to put the score at 13-7 early. But defense then took hold, with the Spring 2012 AmeriBowl MVP' John Leiser adding two sacks to his season total, giving him five after just two games.
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.
