Fresh off their first season on MTV’s hot new reality show “Jersey Shore,” Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and the rest of the cast showed up at the Southpointe Fieldhouse to do battle. Okay, so The Situation wasn’t really playing; however Chuck Strogish of the ZIP LOCK BOYZ is a spitting image of the reality star. When I asked
Strogish why his team was called the ZIP LOCK BOYZ, he replied “because we stay fresh.” After I stopped laughing, I asked him to elaborate: “We have at least three personal trainers on the team. That gives us the ability to play at a level that no one else has because we’re in shape.” So you want to know what separates the ZIP LOCK BOYZ from the rest of the competition? “We’re gym rats,” Strogish brags. “We’re in the gym as much as people work part-time jobs.” One look at these guys and you’ll swear they’re telling the truth. In addition to looking like the Incredible Hulk, Strogish has superhuman confidence that his team will go undefeated “if we play like we should.” (click through title to continue)

While the ZIP LOCK BOYZ are as physically intimidating (although veteran savvy beats athleticism in flag football) as any team competing, KRYPTONITE from Youngstown, OH might be just the team to neutralize the Zip Lock jocks. You might remember how JOE’S PROS put YFFA teams on the map with their impressive championship run in the DUST off the RUST tournament in January. While JOE’S PROS are favored to win it all again, KRYPTONITE brings a level of experience and mental toughness that should make the odds makers view these Youngstown competitors as legit contenders for the Southpointe trophy. Safety/Wide Receiver Jason Hagerty of KRYPTONITE explains “This team’s been playing together for a year and half. We’ve played as many as 13 games in one day.”
From Southpointe Showdown

KRYPTONITE and JOE’S PROS are good friends off the field. In fact Hagerty explained that JOE’S PROS actually recommended the PFFL to his team. “We found out about this tournament from Joe’s Pros,” he said. “Then we just went to the website and checked it out.”

In addition to JOE’S PROS, KRYPTONITE knows PFFL standout team CHAOS, who also showed up for the Southpointe Showdown. “If I had to pick a rival for us, it would definitely be Chaos,” Hagerty said. “They play tough every time out. We know we have to bring our lunch pail every time we play them.”
As a native Philadelphian I appreciated learning about the STALLIONS who are named after Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky” movies, all shot in Philadelphia. “Rocky was the underdog, but he always worked hard,” Aaron Kojundic of the STALLIONS reasoned. Kojundic is the STALLIONS’ version of Chad Ocho Cinco. When asked what he brings to the table for his team, Kojundic replied, “A very loud mouth. I’m always talking, always yelling. And I’m a deep threat.” Although Kojundic’s cockiness contradicts the underdog persona of the STALLIONS, his bravado is just the stuff that the STALLIONS feed off to propel themselves to victory. Kojundic boasted, “I’m confident that the 6 guys on this team can play and beat any team in the tournament tonight.”
Although the previously mentioned teams all have unique names, the most creative team name and swagger goes to team US also from Youngstown, OH. Cornerback Joey Lave of US informed me the reason why “we’re called US is because it’s all about US.” Similar to the lack of letters in the team name, Lave is a man of few words. After winning their opening game, Lave explained that his team was successful “because we’re good.”As the third team representing Youngstown, US is convinced that they along with JOE’S PROS and KRYPTONITE are the frontrunners to win the whole enchilada. According to Lave, “All I know is one of 3 of us are coming out with the trophy—and it’s most likely gonna be us.”
From Southpointe Showdown

Last month’s tournament featured former Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford. This time John Pelusi, a Pitt tight end/halfback (2005-2008) competed with the PA PUNISHERS. Pelusi is a first-year MBA student at the Katz School of Business at Pitt. During his collegiate football career, Pelusi suffered several injuries that have kept him from playing competitive football for a while. The former tight end acknowledged his rustiness after playing in the PA PUNISHERS’ debut game in the Southpointe tournament. “I’m tired, beat. I just gotta get back in shape.” Matching the confidence of many other teams competing for the Southpointe championship, Pelusi declared, “I think we’re good to take it all.”
Yes indeed, there’s never a shortage of confidence when the football titans clash at a PFFL tournament.