Football Strategy returned to its usual Wednesday night time slot and it brought with it its usual champion. When all else fails, Bruce reiff can usually add to his plaque count with Football Straegy - an event he has dominated with five wins in the last eight years. 24 would be gridders showed up including defending champ Bill Cleary, former champ Bruce Reiff, last years' upset specialist Dave Rynkowski, and the younger 2/3rds of the Dolan clan. The Dolan boys had been talking some smack for several months how they were finally going to beat Bruce Reiff this year. Tim Dolan had the stars (and brackets) align for his opportunity.

In the first heat, Jim Vroom, longtime Baltimore FBS league member was defeated by former Origins champ Art Davis 41-25 caused in part by his two fumbles. Dan Dolan began the quest to beat Reiff by beating Phillip Burgin-Young 33-16. Greg Berry dropped a 20-point lead and lost 28-27 to Chad Gormly. Jason Levine had a lead on Ray Stakenas II early on when good pal Bruce Reiff calmed Ray with a 'don't worry he'll choke' comment. Jason proceeded to do just that, losing 43-13.

The second round games began with Bill Cleary holding on to a 24-21 victory over Art Davis by stopping a late fourth quarter drive on an 18F interception. Tom Shaw Jr, son of the game designer, pummeled Brad Wilkens 57-10. Ray Stakenas continued his drive to the top beating giant killer Dave Rynkowski 27-24. Dan Dolan's quest to beat Reiff was ended prematurely and severely 38-14 to the GM Paul O'Neal. Ken Whitesell, another longtime Baltimore league member and nicest guy you'll ever meet, blew by Chad Gorman 42-16. Doug Porterfield beat Ted Drozd and Bruce Reiff easily beat Jonathan Tivel. This set Tim Dolan up for the chance to back up all of his trash talk and play Reiff in the next round, but only if he could get by Ken Samuel. He squeaked out a 27-24 victory.

The third round began with an excited Tim Dolan talking some major trash. Bruce Reiff just sat there and smiled. Bruce jumped out to a 14-0 lead when Tim drove the field for a score to cut the lead in half. The trash talking renewed, but it was to no avail. In the end it was Reiff 31, the hopes of the entire Dolan clan 21. And the Dolan boys were out of the first heat. Other third round matches had Ken Whitesell beating Doug Porterfield 24-10, Ray Stakenas continuing to drive by knocking out the GM on an 89 yard punt return and Bill Cleary dominating Tom Shaw Jr.

This set up heat semi-finals of Ken vs Bruce and Ray vs Bill. It was not to be for Ray, as Bill's years of experience and cunning were used to win by a touchdown. Of course this game was still in the first quarter by the time the titanic defensive struggle between Ken and Bruce had finished. Ken and Bruce, you see, are the two fastest FBS player -by far. Put them together and they can finish a game in 30 minutes without breaking a sweat. The game pitted the team that never kicks - Ken, versus the team that doesn't fumble - Bruce. Bruce jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead. And that was it. He didn't score again. The good news for Bruce was Ken never saw the end zone (except for a late safety of Bruce on an ill-advised screen pass inside the 10). Ken actually kicked three field goals and made them all. Bruce's defense held and he managed to win 14-11 on the strength of the two first quarter touchdowns.

That set up the heat final, like it always seems to, between the Ohio State and Michigan of the WBC: Bruce and Bill. Not only was this game for personal bragging rights (Bruce is 4-0 lifetime against Bill) but a huge team tournament showdown between the Manly Men and Peripheral Reach, two team tournament heavyweights. It also set up the quote of the tournament from Bill Cleary. Bill said "Why is it whenever I play you I look down in the middle of the first quarter and I'm always down 14-0?" It didn't get any better for Bill who lost 35-14 and helped propel the Manly Men up the charts.

The second heat started in its usual time slot of Friday 9am with 24 coaches also, including 12 who were back for more punishment. Inthis heat were such big wigs as board member Stuart Tucker, longtime Baltimore league member Debbie Bell, the same 2/3rds of the Dolan clan and Dark Horse Columbus Area Boardgame Society member Jeff Mullet who owns a win over fellow Cabbie Bruce Reiff.

In the first round Keith Schoose ground John Kilbride down 39-7, Peter Perla beat Philip Burgin-Young 48-17, Tim Dolan - looking to regain his pride after the first heat - beat Pitt Crandlemire 19-14. Brian Stalling blew a 21 point lead and lost the game to Doug Porterfield. Ray Stakenas II beat Chad Gormly 35-13 while his dad lost to another longtime Baltimore league member Kevin Keller 30-24. Art Davis used two recovered kickoff fumbles to beat Ken Whitesell 24-17. Chaka Benson took it on the chin from Jeff Shaheen 17-11 and in the upset of the tournament Blair Morgan beat GM Paul O'Neal 19-13! Debbie Bell beat Stuart Tucker 30-27 in a first round clash of giants (no offense GMT!) while Jim Vroom actually won a game and beat Dave Rynwoski. And in the last game of the round Jeff Mullet held up the honor of CABS and did what Bruce Reiff didn't get the chance to do - spank Dan Dolan Jr's butt 26-7.

The second round had Jeff Mullet scoring 10 fourth quarter points to beat Kevin Keller 13-10, Keith Schoose kicking a winning field goal in the last minute to send Peter Perla Packing (a pack of pickled peppers) 23-20. Tim Dolan kept his hopes alive beating Blair Morgen 33-10. Ray II won in overtime 27-21 over Doug Porterfield. Art Davis defeated John Shaheen and Debbie Bell edged Jim Vroom 20-14.

The third round had three great games. Art Davis had a late comeback and then held Ray II at the 7 yard line to win 26-21. Debbie Bell kicked a long field goal with 45 seconds left to beat Jeff Mullet 20-18 ending the dream of an all CABS final (and making Bruce feel a whole lot better). The third game ended the hopes of Dolans everywhere as Tim lost in overtime 27-24.

The random bye was given to Keith setting up an Art/Debbie match. Art scored ten fourth quarter points to beat Debbie 29-22 and went on to thrash Keith 37-17 in the heat final to set up a super bowl meeting with Bruce Reiff.

The final was a close affair. Bruce took the opening kick and drove 75 yards for a 7-0 lead. Bruce and Art exchanged missed field goals before Art hit one before half time to cut the lead to 7-3. In the second half Art stuffed Bruce with a 17I!!! In all Bruce's years of playing in Baltimore he's never been nailed on 17I. Art put the ball in the end zone and went up over the four-time champ 10-7. On Bruce's next drive Art nailed him on ANOTHER 17I! Fortunately for Bruce he held Art and got the ball back. He then drove the length of the field to reclaim the lead 14-10. Bruce then held Art on his next drive and proceeded to score again to take a 21-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Bruce then kicked the defense up a notch and managed to hold Art at bay until the final play of the game when Art scored a touchdown from three yards out. Final score Bruce 21, Art 17. A great game in a great tournament!