While the Saints had the weekend off on a bye, Loyola students, faculty and staff took to the fields for the third week of the intramural flag football league.
With playoffs three weeks away, teams are establishing spots in the four men’s leagues (labeled 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.) and the 4 p.m. co-ed league.
“We’re going undefeated this season. We’ll be the next Voodoo Bowl champs,” said finance senior Michael Marcus.
His team, the 3 p.m. “Zion’s Lions,” defeated Alpha Delta Gamma’s team this Sunday for their third-straight victory this season, placing them a game ahead of ADG in first place.
Last year’s Voodoo Bowl champions, “The Sloppy Roast Beef Eaters,” have yet to be defeated and have half-a-game on the second-place “Bad Apples” in the 5 p.m. league.
Flag football is played like football, but with less players and less contact. On an 80-yard field, the seven-person teams have four downs to reach either the endzone or make first downs at the 20-, 40- and opposite 20-yard lines.
Played on the fields by the Fly, each team has its own strategy and formations for offense and defense. On offense, the rules require four players on the line at the snap, but some put six on the line to throw off defensive pass coverages.
To adjust to defense, Roast Beef quarterback and former alum, Trey Fury, changes offense frequently in the course of a game.
The scoring differs significantly from regular football. A touchdown counts for six points, but after scoring, a team may go for up to three extra points. Scoring the extra point from the three gets one point, from the 10,two points and from the 20, three points. In the co-ed league, a touchdown that involves a woman (as the passer, receiver or runner) counts for nine points.
There are no field goals in flag football.
Along with faculty and alumni, the league allows a team from Notre Dame Seminary. Undefeated in the 2 p.m. league, the “Hunchbacks” have pushed past second-place “Hotbox” after defeating them this Sunday.
After Fall Break, games will resume Oct. 21. Playoffs begin Nov. 4 and will include the top four men’s teams and the top two co-ed teams. Assistant Director of Wellness Zach Bracey said he is trying to continue the tradition of having a Voodoo Bowl playoff format that involves Tulane’s teams.
Bracey said students are invited to attend all intramural games. Loyola is one of 200 schools recognized by the American Collegiate Intramural Sports. ACIS offers giveaways and sweepstakes at Loyola sporting events.
Bracey said students can participate at games and at ACISports.com.
Dominique Webb can be reached at [email protected]
