2009

Peabody League Champions

54 teams competed in the fall 09 NFL FLAG football season and 4 teams in 4 age categories were crowned Champions after it was all said and done. In the 5-6 division there were a record 12 teams running around playing flag football every Saturday at Emerson park in Peabody. The teams were divided into AFC and NFC respectively with some familiar faces both young and old, out of the 12 teams in the age group 9 coaches were all returning for another season of flag football while just three coaches were picking up the reigns for the first time. During the season both the Cardinals and Texans jumped out to an impressive start and maintained a winning run all the way to the Superbowl, both teams entered the 5-6 division Superbowl undefeated at 7-0 and while the Cardinals scored more points during the season the Texans gave up fewer points on defense. The two teams played probably the best 5-6 division Superbowl ever in Peabody as at the end of regulation the score was tied 32-32, the teams were so evenly matched that one over time was not enough, but in double overtime the Texans won the game 38-32 and claimed the Championship title. The highlight of the season was an interception taken the entire length of the field the wrong way, with coaches and parents running along side pointing in the other direction. Congratulations to all the 5-6 teams and coaches for a truly great season, everyone played and everyone had fun.

The 7-8 division also had some familiar faces but with a record 16 teams in the division there were also some new parents stepping up to coach the youth of Peabody. During the season there were some teams that rose to the top quickly and finished the season undefeated but at the same time 15 out of the 16 teams managed to win one game or more. The 7-8 division is a big step up from the 5-6 division as more teams can now throw the ball and coaches have to adapt new defenses to counter the pass. Heading into the play-offs it was clear that the Steelers and Eagles were favorites as they both has the #1 ranked offense and defense in their divisions and had yet to be beat. In the divisional championship games the Steelers shut out their opponent and the Eagles edged the Redskins 18-8, to set up another two 7-0 teams. In the Championship game held at the Manning stadium in Lynn the Eagles did what no other team could do and shut down the Steelers offense winning the 7-8 Championship game 28-0. The Steelers did not leave empty handed though as they received their "Divisional Champions" awards.

The 9-11 division has been and always will be the most competitive division as the boys and girls know whats going on and for the first time they REALLY want to win. There were 14 teams in the age bracket and with 7 teams in the AFC and NFC there were a lot of cross division games. As the season went on it was apparent that the AFC was the stronger division as they finished with a total of 20 wins and 2 undefeated teams as oppose to the NFC that finished with 15 wins and no undefeated teams. Both the Steelers and Ravens finished the season undefeated as they never met during the season but the 3rd place Patriots with only one loss was on both their heels. The regular season game between the Steelers and Patriots was the game of the season as the Steelers scored LATE to win the game 43-42. The two teams were scheduled to meet again in the second round of the play-offs and again both teams did not disappoint as the Steelers returned a LATE interception to win the game 25-18. The Ravens on the other hand were upset LATE by the #4 Dolphins with a 45-42 victory. In the NFC the Saints ruled the roost as they navigated their way to the #1 seed and after comfortably beating the Lions in the Divisional Championship faced the Steelers for the title. The AFC dominance was again on show as the Steelers shut out the Saints 36-0, but with a first time coach for the Saints the boys from the bayou done good.

The 12-14 division is fast paced, high scoring and fun to watch as these boys AND girls can play. Its not unusual to see the players throw the length of the field, make catches that seem impossible and rip of the flags like they had been doing it for years and in most cases they have. For the first time in the league there were 2 all girls teams that played against the boys week in week out and both the Steelers and Titans finished the seasons with first round play-off victories, for the Steelers it was their third win of the season and while the Titans finished in last place they still managed to win one when it counted. There were 12 teams altogether in the group and both the Patriots and Giants finished the season undefeated, the Patriots wrapped things up with the #1 ranked offense while the Giants finished with the #1 ranked defense. The Superbowl also played at the Manning stadium was a great game with both teams playing hard for the title, but in the end it was the Giants defense that stepped up and won the game 28-18. The Giants continued to play well in the Championship series and went on to become "Champions of Champions" finishing their fall 09 season 11-0.

Congratulations to every team that played in the league, whether you didnt win a game or won the Championship, its all about playing, having fun and learning a few things about football and about life along the way.
Have a nice holidays and see you in the spring for the 2010 season!!!