SBGT Claims Third Straight Flag Title

OCEAN CITY- Schell Brothers-Greene Turtle repeated as champs of the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department’s Fall Flag Football League this week after downing Seacrets, 18-6, in the title game.

SBGT finished second in the standings in the regular season behind Seacrets, but cruised through its side of the playoff bracket to reach the championship game unscathed. Seacrets finished first in the regular season standings but took an early second-round loss to Kirby’s Pub and had to fight its way back through the loser’s bracket to set up the highly anticipated championship game, or games if needed, with SBGT.

If Seacrets had beaten SBGT on Monday, the two teams would have teed it up again for the championship, but SBGT took care of business on a cold, windy night at the town fields on 4th Street. SBGT got on the board first on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Ray Taranto to Eric Givens for an early 6-0 lead.

Seacrets answered quickly on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Gartland to Luke Rommel to tie the game at 6-6. After an interception by Steve Monroe, Seacrets drove down the field to the SBGT four-yard line with an early chance to take the lead, but SBGT held Seacrets, which turned the ball over on downs. However, SBGT lost quarterback Ray Taranto to an Achilles Tendon injury during the sequence.

Seacrets got the ball back and drove to the SBGT 18-yard line where it faced a fourth-and-goal situation. SBGT’s Chris Poochie intercepted a Ryan Gartland pass and pitched the ball to Vince Stewart, who returned it for a touchdown to put SBGT ahead, 12-6 as the first half came to a close.

In the second half, Seacrets was driving for a potential tying or go-ahead score when SBGT’s Ron Strickler stepped in front of a Gartland pass for an interception returned to the Seacrets’ 18-yard line. Three plays later, Eric Givens hit Scott Dailey on a seven-yard TD pass to put SBGT on top, 18-6. Seacrets was driving late in the game when Poochie intercepted a long pass, which allowed SBGT to run out the clock and secure its third straight Ocean City Flag Football League title.