Danner Rondell took the handoff from quarterback Preston Cook, turned the corner quickly and sprinted up the sideline. Stopping on a dime, Rondell cut back across the field weaving his way in and around outstretched defenders. He wasn’t about to be stopped. After all, this was the one day he looked forward to the most.
“I love flag football,” Rondell said.
With 10 yards of open space remaining, Rondell made one final cut back and scored to give his 4th/5th grade Point Dume Green team a 12-6 lead that they would not relinquish against Juan Cabrillo. Evocative of an Adrian Peterson scamper, the run caused parents, coaches and teammates to cheer and clap and a big smile to break out on the face of one Danner Rondell.
“It was exciting,” Rondell said. “I almost got my flag pulled off but one guy whacked the ball instead of the flag.”
It’s a scene you’ll find most every Wednesday afternoon at Malibu Bluffs Park, where more than 50 young boys and girls gather to play in the City of Malibu’s flag football league while representing their respective elementary schools.
Monday Night Football? Not for these young dreamers. Wednesday Afternoon Football is as good as it gets. Two teams from Point Dume and one from Juan Cabrillo make up the 4th/5th grade division. Across the way on the opposite field, the 2nd/3rd grade division features teams from Webster Elementary, Point Dume and Juan Cabrillo.
Rondell’s length of the field touchdown run put the bow on an exciting day that featured another highlight touchdown for the young player. Earlier, quarterback Preston Cook lofted a beautiful 20-yard pass that Rondell caught in stride to score untouched.
“My quarterback threw a nice pass. I thought I wasn’t going to catch it but that was exciting also,” Rondell said.
Even with Rondell’s two game-changing plays, Juan Cabrillo’s Hunter Bercu contributed his own highlight. On Point Dume’s second possession of the game, Bercu intercepted a pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown to elicit loud cheers from the Juan Cabrillo faithful.
“I saw the ball, I ran to it, caught it and I scored,” Bercu said. “It made me really happy and it was fun.”
The highlights bookended a fulfilling day in youth sports in which several boys on both teams made tremendous plays that garnered the support and admiration of everyone in attendance.
Cook had the poise and confidence of a seasoned veteran at quarterback. Casey Kelly of Point Dume was as active on defense grabbing flags as he was on offense catching passes.
“I love football because it’s a great sport,” Cook said. “But it’s tiring because you have to run, pass and do a lot of other things.”
While Cook adapts to the rigors of the quarterback position, Kelly plays in the league to simply stay in shape.
“I don’t get a lot of exercise so to come out here with my friends and play is fun,” Kelly said.
Even in defeat, Juan Cabrillo held their heads high after a strong performance against Point Dume, which is unbeaten through the season’s first three weeks.
Quarterback Nathaniel Moulder of Juan Cabrillo kept his team in the game with accurate passing. Teammate Bix Bighee played the role of J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans as he recorded multiple sacks and presented a constant menace on the defensive line for Juan Cabrillo.
Three more weeks remain in the regular season before the playoffs begin on October 30. For Point Dume coach Indy Moore and Juan Cabrillo coach Dan Bercu, the opportunity to coach football and teach life lessons is worth every second they spend with their team.
“I love it. I didn’t get to play grow ing up so I’m kind of living through these guys,” Moore said. “They are all smiling and having fun. It’s awesome and I am blessed to be able to do this, especially with this group of kids.”
“I want the kids to stay positive and stay focused and keep their heads in the game. That’s really the key to success,” said Bercu. “I think it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world to play football. Everyone is here to have a good time and be with their friends and learn about football.”