Flag Football 2005: 1405 United

Some may wonder why 1405 United keeps returning to Las Vegas every year. After all, over the course of four years and thirteen games, the team had managed just a single victory. Nevertheless, each January, at least eight battle-hardened warriors arrive, suit up, and play some ball over the course of a magical weekend in Sin City. Last year was no different, and, although the team left winless, two close calls left the team feeling it could compete in 2005. This is not to say a tournament title was within reach, for the competition is historically difficult, but, then again, the tournament has never been about winning for these guys. For some enthusiastic members, maybe, but, for the rest, it has been about camaraderie, good times, and a few well-placed bets at the casinos.

After the 2004 team featured an all-time low of eight players, the call went out early this year to ensure that 1405 United had a full assortment of able bodies. After all, the team is notorious for suffering its share of injuries, and, with players just now reaching thirty years old, overall team health does not figure to be improving any time soon. Without hesitation, the Iron Eight from 2004 – captain Matt Milone, Tony DiPasquale, Josh Freeman, Mark Milone, Colin Pajot, John Parris, Jonathan Ricard, and Jerry Wright – signed up for another rumble this January. Quickly joining them were longtime stalwarts Bruce Kammer, Erik Prentice, and Rob Zazzali. With other former team heroes like Mike Freeman considering suiting up again and new stars like CJ clamoring to join, this year’s team was well-stocked to make another run. On January 15, 2005, the games began!

Blessed with an unusually late start, 1405 United took the field against Nimitz, a group of hale and hearty lads in town for a bit of R&R. As the game got underway, the two teams engaged in a vicious back-and-forth battle, with Nimitz responding to earlier touchdowns by Colin Pajot & Tony DiPasquale with a pair of their own. Even the two-point conversion catch by newcomer CJ was matched by a Nimitz conversion. With the score tied and seconds remaining in the half, quarterback Josh Freeman lofted a deep pass to DiPasquale to put 1405 United ahead at the half, 20-14. The defense produced a tremendous stand to start the second half, forcing Nimitz to turn the ball over on downs. Unfortunately, Nimitz immediately responded with a short interception return for a touchdown. The two-point conversion put Nimitz ahead 22-20, and 1405 United, despite some valiant efforts, would not score again.

In the second game, the 1405 United defense took over. Despite spotting the Masters Mustangs an early 6-0 lead, the defense, behind relentless frontline pressure from Jonathan Ricard & Erik Prentice, held firm. To start the second half, Freeman went deep to Pajot, drawing a crucial pass interference penalty. A few plays later, Freeman ran right and trotted into the end zone, tying the game 6-6. On the Mustangs’ ensuing possession, linebacker Jerry Wright intercepted a strike across the middle, setting the stage for an offensive rally. Freeman hit Pajot again, this time in the back of the end zone for the tiebreaking score. A diving catch along the left sideline by CJ gave 1405 United the conversion and a seven-point lead, but plenty of time remained. The Masters Mustangs drove down the field, but, thanks to a ferocious pass rush by Mark Milone and a timely goal line interception by Freeman, 1405 United was able to come away with its first Saturday win ever.

With a 1-1 record and the tournament’s 20th seed, 1405 United rose bright and early on Sunday, but they were outplayed from the outset. In a rematch with old foe Raising Hell, 1405 United fell behind early and never caught up, ultimately falling 26-6. The loss dropped the team’s five-year record to 2-14, but those in attendance will likely forget that frosty battle. What these combatants will remember is the 13-6 victory on Saturday, the game that represented the team’s most complete effort in its history. The team will remember center Matt Milone battling injuries to stay on the field, and it will remember cornerback Rob Zazzali batting away passes at the last second. Crushing blows to John Parris and Bruce Kammer – captured on film for future generations – will remain imprinted in the minds of the players, as will the sight of player-coach Mike Freeman breaking down the opposing squads.

For a team with only two career victories, each one is to be cherished. This one was the product of more than a dozen players battling as one, just as it was the product of legions of screaming fans backing the men on the field. Twelve months after it appeared that 1405 United would slowly fade into the background, a victim of age and the commitments of life, this collection of underdogs stormed back with a vengeance. No one knows what future years will bring, and no one knows when the next victory may come, but this one will not soon be forgotten. For one afternoon, on a sunny, grass-covered field in Las Vegas, the men of 1405 United showed that they still have some life left in them, and the football gods rewarded them for their effort.

Team Roster

Results

Nimitz 22, 1405 United 20
1405 United 13, Masters Mustangs 6
Raising Hell 26, 1405 United 6

See Also: Flag Football 2001, Flag Football 2002, Flag Football 2004

Submitted 1/19/05.