In a showdown that had flag football fans on the edge of their seats, the Vandals faced off against Cal Poly SLO, looking to avenge their last week’s loss. With another sell-out crowd, finding a parking spot was as elusive as spotting a unicorn in the wild, but it was all worth it for this epic battle between two gridiron giants.
From the first whistle, it was clear that this was going to be a game to remember. Ezra wasted no time, putting the Mustangs on notice with a jaw-dropping opening reception that had fans spilling their disguised drinks in excitement.
Defensively, the Vandals came out like a pack of hungry wolves, led by Gavin and Harrison, who had more quick flag pulls than a magician pulling rabbits out of a hat. The Mustangs managed to answer with a touchdown, but Wyatt swooped in with an interception during their two-point attempt, keeping the Vandals in the lead.
Luca became the spark plug for the Vandals’ offense, with a run that looked like a broken play but turned into a highlight reel moment. It was as if Luca had discovered a secret tunnel through the Mustangs’ defense, gaining yards like he was chasing a runaway ice cream truck.
The second quarter was the icing on the cake, as birthday boy Mateo became the star of the show. He was targeted for two crucial touches that resulted in two first downs, with Sawyer chipping in with a run that left the Mustangs’ defense bewildered. 
As the Vandals closed in on a score, it was clear that destiny had a touchdown in store for the birthday boy. Wyatt, with all the finesse of a magician pulling off a grand finale, found Mateo in the left flat for a touchdown!
The Mustangs’ offense stared in bewilderment as Mason celebrated with one-armed push-ups right in front of their huddle, leaving them scratching their heads in sheer disbelief.
As the Vandals took the field again, Atticus unleashed a reign of terror on the Mustangs’ secondary with two big flag pulls. Mateo, not content with just birthday touchdowns, contributed with two flag pulls on defense.
Gavin continued to shine on defense, snagging two more quick flag pulls, ensuring the Vandals stayed within striking distance. But in the fourth quarter, the mighty Mustangs began to pull away as our hero Vandals struggled to contain their superstar player.
As Coach Steve faces the most challenging losing streak of his career, questions arise about whether he deserved an upcoming vacation in the middle of this critical season. Hope emerges though as Coach Ben looks to take the reins as the head coach, and Coach Sam is thrusted into the offensive coordinator position. Many wonder if Coach Eric is secretly pulling the strings and orchestrating the coaching change. Could these three wonderkids concoct the right formula to get the Vandals back on the path to victory? Tune in next week as the Vandals face Montana in a prime time shoot out at 6:50 pm at Poinsettia Turf 17.
Despite the scoreboard, the Vandals are unquestionably improving. The camaraderie, friendship, and cooperation among the team were evident during the post-game festivities. With security tighter than a drum, the Vandals celebrated with pizza and sang a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Mateo.
While the Vandals may have lost the game, they certainly won the hearts of their fans with their spirit and determination. As for Coach Ben and Coach Sam, only time will tell if they can engineer a turnaround for the Vandals. One thing’s for sure, though – this team knows how to throw a birthday party!
Thank-you to team mom Marriette for the amazing photos!
Next practice at Poinsettia Elementary Thursday, September 7 at 5:00 p.m..
Watch the Vandals play next week at 6:50 p.m. at Poinsettia Turf 17!