2009

Beverly League Champions

This past 09 fall season 30 teams played NFL Flag football in Beverly, compared with 14 teams last 08 fall. The league continues to grow and grow thanks to the excellent coaches in Beverly who have been with the league since day one and understand the principles of the league, making sure everyone plays and everyone has fun. Beverly is now only second to Peabody in participation and has every age division running each week.

In the 5-6 division the league had a record 8 teams competing and only 1 team failed to record a win, but the Cardinals almost pulled of the upset of the year as they narrowly lost out 20-18 against the #1 Bills in the first round of the playoffs. At the top of the table the Bills, Panthers and Cowboys all finished the season 4-1 and headed into the play-offs with high hopes. In the end the Bills and the Panthers met in the Championship game and what a game it was, both teams went back and forth exchanging TD's and at the end of regulation the two teams could not be separated as the score was tied 26-26. In overtime both teams get a chance to score and the Bills scored first on their drive, while the Panthers had the better defense during the season it was the Bills defense that stepped up and stopped the Panthers from scoring to claim the 5-6 division Superbowl title.

In the 7-8 division there were 10 teams and a few familiar faces such as the Jets coach who manged to coach his kids to the #1 seed but then lost out in the play-offs, the Patriots coach who secured the #2 seed but also lost out in the play-offs and last years runners up coaches from the Saints, who finished this season with the #1 seed and #1 offense but also lost out in the play-offs. In fact the Superbowl was played between the #4 Chargers and #2 Giants which just goes to show regular season record doesnt mean anything when your in the play-offs, as its like a whole new season. After the Giants upset the favored Saints they were feeling confident heading into the Championship game but the NFC Championship took its toll on the Giants and the #4 Chargers that lost the first 3 games of the season came through to win the game.

In the competitive 9-11 division there were also 10 teams competing for a championship and after winning last years 7-8 division the Eagles moved up to the faster more pass happy group. The Eagles not only adapted to the new division well they finished the season #1 in the NFC and with the #2 offense and defense in the division. On the other side of the bracket in the AFC the Colts emerged as the top team as they finished with the #1 offense in the league. Once again the regular season record does not mean anything when you get into the play-offs and the #5 last place Redskins defeated the #2 Lions and #1 Eagles to reach the superbowl. The rankings held in the AFC as the Colts won confidently to reach the Superbowl game, where the #5 Redskins defeated the #1 Colts in an amazing 49-43 game. After the game the coach said to the kids its not how you start its how you finish and he was right the Redskins started the season 1-4 but finished up 4-0!!!

Lastly in the 12-14 division there were only 2 teams as there has been over the last three seasons, but every season and every week these boys come to play and with 2 great coaches they have fun doing so every week. Both teams maxed out at 10 players so maybe in the spring with a few more additions the 12-14 division will be able to expand, nevertheless the Cowboys and Browns went at it every week and while the Cowboys were the more talented team the Browns did manage to beat the Cowboys once and put some doubt into the their minds heading into the Superbowl. On the final day of the season though the Cowboys circled the wagons and defeated the Browns to claim the 12-14 division Championship.

The games at the Centerville school were played in great spirits every week in Beverly and kids in all age groups had fun playing NFL Flag football, while learning a few little life lessons along the way.

Thank you to the players, parents and coaches for a great season in Beverly and hope to see you all next season. Happy holidays.