TAAFFootball

In the A division you have the best of the best and several elite teams in the nation. Expect every game after the first round to be very competitive and for some very good teams to head home early. The A division is all about match-ups and who gets into a groove early. The following is a list of the teams, and their strengths and weaknesses.

Ft Worth Rams: Feature one of the most seasoned teams in the tournament. They will be lead by Lynn Clark (hall of fame bound) and his usual cast of receivers, yes that means Howard and seeing if he will catch the ball. The Rams are a very explosive team who can score quickly or grind it out slowly. If you are going to beat this team, you will need to outscore them; they seem to lose a step in the secondary. This can be attributed to new personnel still learning the discipline of playing 8man flag football and that famous (Hurricane) defense they run. Quote from another elite team: A very scary team to play early because they have the ability to ruin your tourney by putting a blowout on you early. Known to be a bit soft and cry a little when the game gets tight led by Rambo who will quit in the middle of the game.

Houston Titans: First of all we have to appreciate the Titans for being one of the few teams from the B division to step up in class for the last 2 years. It’s even more of an appreciation when you think of all the other B teams that don’t, hint hint….. Storm, Richardson Dawgs, and Turbo to name a few. Also over the last year they have lost a couple of key players but keep plugging along. Kenny does a good job of running his wide open offense featuring plenty of blocking from the slot and roll out passes. The only true knocks on this team will be experience in the tight games against the elite teams and will Kenny run out of gas with all that running.

Houston Sleepers: Derrick, Toney, Byron, Thad, Skitz, Freak. Year in and out they always seem to be the most athletic team but of recently it has accounted for nothing. How will they transition back to screen after playing in contact flag year round? Regardless what happens this is still easily one of the better teams in the tourney. If you see them remember to take away those tall slots on the 15 yard hook and out routes. Defensively you must get to their safeties to move the ball, but remember that rush is coming hard every play. Quote from another elite team: Very physical team and smart, just don’t like to play them cause they talk trash and make plays. Whole focus is getting to the parking lot for beverages and betting on the game, what a team!!

Houston Hurricanes: What Hurricane team will show up? Who will be on this team? Well one thing for sure those brothers will be there, Mark and Kevin. That right there will give them a fighting chance to Sunday. Will Boogie be there and is Aaron still sick? Is that coughing or choking I hear Aaron!!! None the less, this is a good team that loves the 13 yard stop route to the outside shoulder when Mark rolls right. The left side better not fall asleep cause that’s where it’s coming back to. Defensively they are a very good flag pulling team that can hide their team speed by their alignment.

Houston All-Madden: All Madden 2008, sure glad they went back to their old name and not Texas Heat anymore. This is a very crafty team that has taken its bruises but kept trudging alone. They have a tricky offense built on misdirection and Chris rolling out looking for blocks. Don’t be fooled though, he is looking to throw the ball. With their new addition of athletes on defense they have gotten better but that youthfulness must be contained, they tend to play up and down a lot so don’t be surprised to see blown coverage’s and dropped passes. All Madden is one of the teams that represent how match ups can be critical; they could be 0-2 or playing for 3^rd place.

McAllen Scatbacks: I remember a few years ago Colors were the only team that mattered down in South Texas, but Scatbacks could very well be the best team down there now. In my opinion they are. They have an experienced core in Robert Perez and Dani Talamantez on the team and have ventured to 4man and contact flag, which is apparent in their style of play. They have one of the few teams who can score every play. When you play them you must stop the pitch. Actually, the secret is to play a 3-5 on defense but you still have to match up. Their defense is really not strong however, solid and will only play for 2 stops a game. If you attack them up top you will have success. Quote from another elite team: Dani is a flashy player who gets it done on the field and has a certain energy that spreads to his team. If they get on top of you early, forget about it; you might as well go look at the bracket and rest for the next game.

McAllen Colors: Older version of Scatbacks: see above Scatbacks. The one difference is this team is truly only as good as Tuffy, which is pretty good all the time. Throw in Eli Villareal, Seno Ramirez and you its easy to see how they win. The pitching machine of the South, they represent the way flag football should be played in my opinion. Much respect Colors!!!

Round Rock Headhunters: Reigning back-to-back champions of TAAF!!!!

TONY, TONY, TONY and more TONY. There is not another team in the tourney who is driven more by one player than the Headhunters. The guy runs all game and still throws a good ball. Then when it gets crunch time on defense he comes in and rushes; that’s MVP type stuff. Although Tony is the hero, if you look close you will begin to see the big things the TEAM does. This is a complete team; they line up and adjust well, pull flags and for as slow as they are they rarely get beat deep or get caught out of position. On offense we all know you have to figure out a way to stop their QB, but they use the star from blocking back better than anyone in the state. With a healthy John Ed, Beatty, Berg, and J (returning back to his early 30’s form) they are a force to reckon with. The only knock on the team is if they can hold up after a bunch of back to back games. That’s a small faint knock cause last year they came out of the loser bracket to double dip the Rams. Their favorites to win it this year but will they……………

San Antonio Outlaws: Avron and Dante, they tried it, but just because it looked good on paper does not means it was going to work. We now have Avron and company back, a good team with lots of players- but you can only put 8 on at a time and that has been a problem in the past. Offensively this team really does a good job of putting pressure on all areas of the defense. They hit the seams well and if you rush one to match up, Avron has the ability to hurt you with his feet. On defense is where u see the over flow of players and the team trying to get all them on the field. Quote from another elite team: “Their defense is sometimes erratic, especially for a team that has played so long. The corners are soft but think their ball players, attack them deep and watch the arguing and self destruction start.”

San Antonio Bandits: Drew, Johnny, and Turtle; this is the most boring good team to watch. They do nothing special, but win games against teams who are suppose to beat them. Their slow play calling offense allows them to be in every game and Drew remains to one of the few timing throwers left in the A division. They love the slant and post routes from the wide out. Also don’t fall asleep on the “star” that they use in their offense. Now for the bad news for the Bandits- new people on defense, how soon will they gel and if they do will it be too late? I say they figure it out and finish early Sunday morning after upsetting one of the big dog teams of the tourney.

San Antonio Most Hated: New qb- Dante’s go around #3, but this is not your daddy’s Dante of early 90’s with the Mustangs. He has lost a step to get away from the rush but still throws a very good ball and calls good plays. This is a fairly new team but has become a force out of the San Antonio league, Many wonder how well they will do with not much tourney experience outside of their own back yard. Quote from another elite team: This could easily be the sleeper team of the tourney in A division if they can adjust to other teams quickly enough and stay together as a team.

Not sure why these teams signed up for the A Division: Brisco Firebirds, Coppell Black-n-Blue, and Woodlands Playmakers. We wish you well and congratulate you for stepping up, just don’t get discouraged with early losses.

Prediction for A division: Houston Sleepers fight through the loser bracket after losing early and double dip the McAllen Scatbacks in what proves to be a shootout 34-33.

Rounding out the top 4 will be Round Rock Headhunters and McAllen Colors

The B division is the home of the old and accomplished, new and hungry, fun and road tripped, and the last hooray (Arlington Huffacker). You want to talk about different styles and seeing new teams, this is where you want to play. This years B division will have teams from all over the state and every region in Texas. What region will represent the strongest competition? In the past the DFW and Houston areas have been the favorites, but look for some strong runs from other teams coming out that area as well. Also don’t forget about the strength coming out of Round Rock with Turbo and Tip Drill. Quote from a top B division team: This promises to be one of the best tournaments ever, the competition is outstanding and there are about 30 teams that I know could be in the top 10, not only the competition but the great facilities of Frisco prove to make this a great experience.

The B Division: Teams in the hunt

Houston Young Gunz: Very talented team, they look like the Houston Sleepers of the B division. Qb is very mobile and can make every throw. They will be there on Sunday playing, not watching. Editor note: Should be in A division, would beat half the teams in A division. Doing themselves a serious injustice playing most of the teams they will face in B.

Grand Prairie Havoc: A team that looks like they are finally coming into their own. Have been competing for years in the strong DFW area and are ready for a tourney break out. Another athletic team with lots of playmakers, but no composure, can the veterans on the defensive side of the ball hold them together.

Grand Prairie Vikings: A team with no true identity but have beaten every team in the DFW area and won the TAAF Summer Games. When they roll, they roll; if it’s on the legs of the side arm QB or the big arm of Bo: they get it done. Problem is this team drops too many passes and has not been able to get over that hump lately. They could be 0-2 or cruise on Saturday.

Grapevine Drillers: Doc is the man on this team, not only is he the QB but he can also fix your teeth after the game. The Drillers are a very savvy and veteran team who are at their best with a star attacking the deep seam of the other team. The amount of youth on this team will dictate how far they go on Sunday.

Grapevine Purple Haze: Donnie, your typical smart, big arm, timing QB. They play for the ball last and do well in tourneys. On defense they pull flags and stay at home. The Haze makes it foggy before the game cause under all that BenGay and grey hair these guys are a good team.

Houston Storm: The Dynasty: Matt Kacal, the oldest looking QB in the tourney plays like a man in his 30’s. His knowledge of the game makes him look like he’s been playing since the induction of 8man flag football. This is one of the most solid teams in tourney from top to bottom, they play solid offense and score points in bunches. They do just enough on defense to get a stop here and there. When playing them try to stop the middle of the field and hope Matt makes bad reads to the sideline; oh yea watch that jab step on the goal line and 4^th down.

Editor note: Move to A and give some other teams a chance to win, it’s like watching the New England Patriots.

Richardson Dawgs: Too bad it’s not Underdawgs, because they always finish in the top part of the tourney. Eddie is getting old and he is literally on his last leg. This team never lays down for anyone and could easily compete in the A division as well. When playing them you must stay at home on defense and make them beat you deep cause they will dink and donk you all day. A great flag pulling team that plays with a lot of intensity and don’t be surprised to see Eddie yelling from the sideline at Jay for running the wrong defense. Editor note: We know you are getting elderly but move up for just one state tourney.

Round Rock Turbo: We took a poll and Danny has seen over 99% of the flag football players born and been playing long enough to remember the first state tourney. Danny is one of the best known and accomplished QBs in flag football history. It seems like every year no matter how his team looks he wills them into the top 4. Their run blocking set is better than anyone in the state thanks to the best blocking back in the game; you all know bandana man. When playing them you must get on them early and just keep running because youth is not this team’s strong suit. Editor note: Maybe not “ A” quality anymore but there better than most A teams when the offense is rolling.

San Antonio Stars: One of the most traveled teams in the tourney and probably the most dysfunctional teams of all times: Have u seen Sean aka: The Prez and the twins argue? They have a solid core of players with lots of tourney experience. Their a good team on both sides of the ball; but can they stay out of the loser bracket? With 10 players on a good day it will be hard work to make the final 4. Editor note: Just a few players away from being a legitimate A division team.

Teams with a Fighting Chance: not in any order

Ft Worth Mojo- If they can play as a team they will be dangerous

Houston Rage- Cyrus runs one of the best 7man teams in state

New Braunfels Afterburners- Smart veteran team

Richardson Not For Hire- Creative plays and good team chemistry

Round Rock Blessed- Jorge is slowly turning into a QB

San Antonio Trojans-solid team across the board

White Settlement F5- Should be loaded with talent

Temple D Premium- watch them, one of the better and new upcoming teams

Round Rock Tip Drill- as solid as they come

Teams you better not take lightly:

Longview Young Guns

Arlington Flag Fu- They will surprise you

College Station Swarm

Lava Lizards

Flower Mound Point Men

Grand Prairie Know Skills- The QB has a big arm

Ft Worth 2 Glory

Houston Tuna Can Jones

Grand Prairie 4on4FlagFootball.com- very athletic, but are they ready for 8man

Ft Worth Rampage- No Lynn, what will they do

Grapevine Vipers

Lubbock Los Jefes

Teams that need a few more years under their belts, however, we would love to be proven wrong.

Carrollton T-N-O

Dallas Sting

Flower Mound Airgroup

Frisco Red Devils

Frisco Village Idiots

Ft Worth Dunaway Dragons

Rowlett T-N-T

Ft Worth Wolves

State A Division Top 4

State B Division Top 4