Week four of HL Flag Football kicked off in Cambridge Commons park late Friday afternoon, with a slate of four games from their “Just for Fun League” (JFF):
- Todd Squad (0-1) vs. Section 1 (1-2)
- 4 Score (1-0-1) vs. Zero to Hero (1-1)
- 2F2F (2-0) vs. Torts R Us (3-0)
- Dean Ballers (0-2) vs. Large Language Models (0-1)
Also scheduled were two games from the more cutthroat “Gunner League,” but both ended in forfeit:
- Robb’s Avengers (3-0) defeated AFA (2-2)
- Ask What You Can Juke (1-1) defeated Washington Renanders (0-3)
4 Score (2-0-1) outduels Zero to Hero (1-2) in Shootout, 8 to 5
In a game rife with deep shots down the field and exciting big plays, Zero to Hero simply could not keep up with 4 Score in their Friday matchup. Throughout the first half, the two squads traded high flying catches for massive chunk plays. Onlookers gasped and exclaimed as each side sent receivers across the field in hopes of spreading out the opposition, pushing both defenses to their limits.
Zero to Hero was led by quarterback Aries Zander, HLS ‘27, whose impressive arm gave 4 Score all it could handle in the first half. He passed for 4 TDs, and several other large gains that put his team in scoring position during the first half. Zander also added a late interception on defense, which he returned for a touchdown as the game came to a close. He was helped by his teammates, who took advantage of the trust he placed in them with his ambitious throws: Benjamin Coleman, HLS ‘27 (who caught 2 TDs), Jack Seigenthaler, HLS ‘27, and Bryce Kim, HLS ‘25.
To counter, 4 Score leaned heavily on the speed of James Limbaugh, HLS ‘26, to put pressure on Zero to Hero’s secondary. Despite playing in another game with his sectionmates earlier in the afternoon, he had a busy day with 4 Score, catching 3 TDs, passing for another, and tallying two interceptions on defense. “I was just the guy that got lucky today and things ended up in my hands” remarked Limbaugh, “none of that would’ve happened if [my teammates] weren’t playing closer, tight man defense.” Primary quarterback Adi Kumar, HLS ‘26, who threw for 5 TDs and made an incredible catch for a score as well, showed similar modesty about his great game. “I threw more touchdowns to players I didn’t intend to [target], than to players I meant to.”
With the victory, 4 Score remains unbeaten after four weeks of play at 2-0-1, whereas Zero to Hero looks to secure its postseason position following their second loss.
Defensive Battle Ends in 3-3 Tie between Dean Ballers (0-2-1) and LLMs (0-1-1)
The matchup between the Dean Ballers and the Large Language Models contrasted stylistically from 4 Score’s victory. Both defenses demonstrated significant agility and were able to keep opposing offenses from getting into a groove throughout the game. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead after their first couple drives, the LLMs offense was kept quiet for some time.
“Dean Ball is out of town today, he’s on our team, so we are missing our star player.” remarked Dean Ballers captain Alex Akre, HLS ‘25, in the face of the halftime deficit. Nonetheless, Akre and her quarterback Brian Broderick, HLS ‘25, employed a “three yards and a cloud of dust” offense reliant on short throws and quickness to help frustrate the stingy LLM opposition. They found success, as Broderick threw for 3TDs, including a timely, precise strike to Aryan Agrawal, LLM ‘25 in the back of the endzone (note: Agrawal and Alex Casey, LLM ‘25, joined the Ballers as alternates). “We wanted to give them hope before snatching it away” said Akre of her team’s gutsy comeback.
The LLMs are no stranger to tough late-game situations, and responded to the Ballers’ barrage with vigor. Energized by daring plays from quarterback Manuel Iribarne and receiver Antoine Beaury, LLM ‘25, the LLMS scored a late game-tying touchdown, intercepted a pass by the Ballers, and drove down to the Ballers’ goal line amidst a light sunshower in the final minutes. However, the Ballers’ showed similar resilience, standing up the LLMs and very nearly tying the game following a remarkable catch from nimble newcomer Saxon Bryant, HLS ‘27, who played the game barefoot. “Was recruited last minute to join up, didn’t come expecting to do this sport at all, but mainly just came here to hang out with friends, they needed a body, weather’s good, why not, get involved?” said Saxon of his ad hoc availability.
With both the Ballers (0-2-1) and LLMs (0-1-1) still looking for their respective first wins of the season, they will likely come into the final week of the regular season very focused.
Other Results from the Day
As always, the rest of the slate was full of entertaining contests crucial to divining the postseason picture. Todd Squad (1-1-1) played to a high scoring 6 to 6 draw with Section 1 (1-2-1) and 2F2F (2-0-1) also tied with Torts R US (3-0-1) at 6 to 6. The pressure will be on as the league enters its final week of games before the playoffs.