It’s time to head down to Harrell Park on Claiborne Ave. and Leonidas St. and cheer on your friends because flag football intramurals at Loyola are underway.

The season did not start until Saturday, Sept. 29 because of delays caused by Hurricane Isaac and other weather conditions. Every game was rained out on opening day except one, in which Loyola

University Athletics and Wellness Swipers beat the Savages 18-0.

Intramurals Director Zach Bracey said that participation has been good so far, though he always wants more. Bracey noticed many teams this year that he has not seen in previous years.

“A lot of teams are new. There aren’t many veteran teams,” Bracey said.

One of the veteran teams Bracey mentioned is the Step Dads. Team captain John Danaher, biology

senior, said that this is the team’s fourth year together.

“We started out as a group of friends freshman year when nobody knew each other,” Danaher said. “The core group stuck together and we’ve added players as we’ve gone along.”

The Step Dads won 28-6 over the Off Dudes in the second week and won the makeup game on Oct. 8 by forfeit. They are one of three teams leading the league with a 2-0 record.

Music industry junior Davis Woodall is in his third year of officiating and playing flag football at Loyola. Woodall says that more teams have signed up at this point than before, but many are dropping out.

“A lot of teams come from other clubs which have other obligations,” Woodall said. “But once the schedule gets set, they usually stick toit.”

Woodall has also noticed teams like the Step Dads and Notre Dame,

another 2-0 team that played in previous years. Woodall said he has developed a rapport with certain teams and players in the league.

“I know which teams are good, bad, angry or easygoing,” Woodall said.

No games are scheduled this Saturday due to Fall Break, but play will resume with a full slate of games on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Karl Gommel can be reached at [email protected]