TAMPA REGIONAL WORLD CUP QUALIFIER
OCTOBER 13 & 14, 2001

Shut 'Em Down Shocks the Flag World!!!

Shut 'Em Down - a home-town college team won the 7-Man World Cup qualifier in Tampa, FL this past weekend. It was an impressive victory for the team comprised of all college students to beat a strong field of Open division teams. In most cases, a college team does not fare too well in an Open tournament, as those teams play together for years, and in several leagues and tournaments throughout the year. This win was especially remarkable, as teams traveled to Tampa from as far away as New Hampshire (1,200 Miles away) to participate.

Not only was their victory extraordinary, but it was simply amazing as the World Cup rules are completely different than the style they play. Shut 'Em Down's Championship opponent Purple Haze, of Savannah, GA was disqualified and banned from the 2002 World Cup when several of their athletes had tempers flare. Purple Haze players and sideline spectators grew out of hand and were disqualified for inappropriate and disrespectful behavior towards officials, opponents, and staff. After their significant victory, Shut 'Em Down has now earned respect in the flag football world, and has captured the #1 College Ranking. Shut 'Em Down will be one of the favorites at the World Cup Open tournament in Davie, FL Feb 22-24th. Dewey Paxon of Shut 'Em Down was selected as the 7-Man MVP.

In the 4-man Gold Division, Elvis Lives defeated the Fire Ants 19-13. The fire Ants had the ball on the 5-yard line on the last play of the game, when Elvis Lives-MVP-Mark Abraham batted the intended pass to preserve the victory. Elvis lives went undefeated in 4man, and made impressive showings in both the 7man and 4man divisions. Elvis Lives played a combined seven games in one day. MVP's selected were: Mark Abrahamson of Elvis Lives, and Steve Ponall of Hudson Fireants.

In 4-Man Bronze, Dirty South double-dipped La Brigada for the title. Dirty South lost to La Brigada earlier in the day 18-14, to go into the losers bracket. Dirty South was "on fire", winning five strait games. Dirty South won the championship game 27-14. MVP's selected were: Horace Deacon of Dirty South, and #2 for La Brigada.

In the 4-Man women's championship, Jungle defeated Perfect Storm 14-13. MVP-Q.B. Maria Erickson played exceptionally well, and was one of three women selected for team USA. Also selected for the TEAM USA women's team were: Priscilla McDowell and Kim Legg of the Demons/Flagmag co-ed squad.

Athletes selected for the TEAM USA men's team were: Jim Wilson, Brett Angell, and Troy Murphy. Jim Wilson - Mr Steer - Londonderry, NH who showed outstanding leadership skills playing outside of his normal position. Brett Angell - Elvis Lives - Jacksonville, FL made major contributions for touchdowns and extra points for both his 4-man and 7-man teams. And Troy Murphy - Shut 'Em Down - Tampa, FL showed incredible leadership, athleticism, and sportsmanship in his team's first Open tournament.

7 Man- Championship
Shutem Down 35 Purple Haze 28

Winners Bracket Championship
Shutem Down 14 Elvis Lives 13

1st Round-
Elvis Lives 40 Purple Haze 13;Shutem Down 32 Demons 19

Losers Bracket- Championship
Purple Haze 41 Elvis Lives 29

Loser Bracket
Purple Haze 32 Demons 0

Order of Finish-
1. Shutem Down-Tampa,FL-1,500 Points
2. Elvis Lives-St Pete,FL-1,000 Points
3. Demons-Atlanta,GA-800 Points
Purple Haze-Savanah,GA-Disqualified from World Cup for unsportsmanship.

MVP-Shutem Down-#27

4 Man-Gold

Championship
Elvis Lives 19 FireAnts 13

Winners Bracket Championship
Elvis Lives 34 Hudson FireAnts 18

Winners Bracket
Elvis Lives 34 Mr Steer 18;FireAnts 23 UNforgiven 20;Elvis Lives 27 Newsletter 13;Unforgiven 26 Demons 20;FireAnts 28 Usual Suspects 0;

Loser Bracket Championship
FireAnts 19-12

Loser Bracket
Unforgiven 20 Mr Steer 8;Mr Steer 28 Usual Suspects 6;Unforgiven 7 Newsletter 6;

Order of Finish-
1.Elvis Lives-St Pete,FL-1,500 Points
2. Fireants-Hudson,FL-1,000 Points
3. Unforgiven-Jacksonville,FL-800 Points
4. Mr. Steer-Londonderry,NH-700 points
5. Springhill Newsletter-Brooksville,FL-600 Points
6. Usual Suspects-Valrico,FL-500 Points
7. Demons/FlagMag-Atlanta,GA-400 Points

MVP-Elvis Lives-Mark Abraham-WR

MVP-FireAnts- Steve Ponall-QB

4 Man-Bronze

Championship
Dirty South 27-LaBrigada 14-IF Game
Dirty South 31 LaBrigada 7

Winners Bracket Championship
LaBrigada 33 Rookies 13

Winners Bracket
Rookies 35 Jungle12;LaBrigada 18 Dirty South 14;Dirty South 27 Smoke 8

Losers Bracket Championship
Dirty South 34 Rookies 6

Order of Finish
1. Dirty South-Miramar,FL-1,500 Points
2. La Brigada-Miami,FL-1,000 Points
3. Rookies-Bradenton,FL-800 Points
4. Smoke-Atlanta,GA-700 Points

4 Man-Womens

Championship Game
Jungle 13 Perfect Storm 12

Order of Finish
1. Jungle-Tampa,FL-1,500 Points
2. Perfect Storm-St Pete,FL-1,000 Points

* Unforgiven, Usual Suspects & Rookies did not wear numbered jersey's, stats were not kept individually.