Civic league playoffs. . . playoffs, don't talk about playoffs

Well the old flag football season is winding down and what is a kindergarten/1st grade playoff without a little controversy. We lost tonight in the first round thanks to some creative score keeping, but since it just happened I will recount the events as they are fresh in my mind. Also Sampson got two flags tonight and he blocked really well, way to go buddy. Ok so the Broncos started with ball in the first half drove down and scored 0-7. Then we drove down and scored 7-7, it was actually kind of dramatic as the Buckeyes had to convert a fourth down in order to keep the drive alive and a penalty on the conversion gave the Bucks a much needed second shot on the conversion. Then they scored 7-14. Then we scored but missed the conversion 13-14. Then the Broncos scored to make it 13-21 before the half. We got the ball one more time, but ran out of time before the half ended. Little kids flag football plays two 20 minute halves with a continuous clock until the last minute of the half and then apparently the clock stops for everything, so games last like 5 hours. Just kidding it is like an hour, but tonight's game took a little longer.

(Switch to Dramatic Mode)
So the Buckeyes were down at half time, but not dejected. Determination shown through on their little faces as they took the field for the second half and the referee signaled 1st down Buckeyes to start the half. Methodically the Buckeyes marched the ball down the field to score and draw back to within a point, 20-21, of the hated Broncos. Well not hated, but greatly disliked at least tonight. Anyway we let them go back down the field and score and make it an 8 point game at 20-28. On the next possession the Buckeye marched down and scored, but failed on the two point conversion leaving them in a two point hole at 26-28. On the Broncos next play from scrimmage a seldom used 1st-year player was given the ball, I assume he was a first year player because he instinctively ran backwards where he was taken down for a safety, allowing the Buckeyes to draw even at 28-28. I give the Broncos credit for giving the ball to one of the younger guys in that situation as it would turn out to be pivotal, unless they just thought they had the game in the bag then that was silly. After the safety, by rule, the Buckeyes get to go back on the offensive. Now with the game even and new life breathed into the offense again the Bucks went to work dismantling the Bronco D for another score 34-28 Bucks as they took their first lead. But missing on the conversion had left the door open for the Broncos to come down and score and tie the game, before converting and regaining the advantage at 35-34. Undaunted the Buckeyes huddled having less the a minute now to work they had to be quick yet manage the clock. Two running plays and two timeouts moved the bucks near the goal line, but not in. Now in a creative genius mode our coach pulls the boys together and decided to go for the deep ball. I say deep, but really a pass play in flag football is pretty spectacular at any yardage. Our QB drew back passed the ball to a wide open slanting receiver who caught the ball, but stopped short. Desperate the bucks used their last timeout, because let's face it trying to line up a bunch of kids in a timely manner is like herding cats. So effectively if the Bucks failed now it would be game over. Calmly and probably not realizing the enormous weight of the moment the QB settled under center now, quick snapping the ball and running into the end zone for the go ahead score 41-35 Bucks, after the conversion. The crowd was going crazy now, but the Bucks had made one error . . . too much time remained 33 seconds showed...the broncos would need only 22. Two plays and they succeeded in making a touch down and subsequent conversion vaulting them ahead and seemingly leaving the Buckeyes staring at the short end of a 41-42 score. All hope was lost, down 1 point, no timeouts and facing an entire field, but hope was not lost not yet the 5, 6, and 7 year-olds lined up. Knowing no fear they stared down the enemy for one last play. . . Go said the QB and the Bucks where off, but the hand off had been mistaken and the ball dropped to the ground. Game Set Match Broncos. . . but wait. A penalty, off sides Defense. New life had been given to the Bucks and this time fate would be made their b... well fate was dealt a blow as the Bucks answered the bell with now only 4 seconds left. Go they yelled and this time there would be no one catching the speeding back as he zigged and zagged through the Bronco D one last time to cap the scoring and deliver the win to Bucks, 47-42. But wait, controversy had reared its ugly head and the score was in doubt. Down by 2 the Ref Said. WHAT?!!?!? Panic set in on the crowd for the Bucks as they would now have to score a two point conversion just to "tie" the game. Alas the Bucks were stopped short yet again and the Broncos were announced the winners and would move on to the championship game. Disgusted by what I had just seen, and feeling terrible for the boys as they had played hard and deserved to win the hard fought game (legitimately as they had scored more points) I yelled at the ref to voice my concern, but to no avail. I pleaded with the coach who agreed as did several of the by standers, which relieved me because then I knew I wasn't some insane parent just ranting and raving for the sake of being a lunatic. So we confronted the head ref and he kept score on like a sheet of paper with no rhyme or reason. Our coach looked at it, he pleaded one last time and I think he thought he had made his case but the announcement had been made. Now what... the Bucks play for third.