Games We Play: Big Blue impresses visiting sponsor

Barry Liben's Heritage Affinity AFI flag football team put on quite a show for him on his special yearly trip to Israel.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
afi 298.88 (photo credit: AFI)
afi 298.88
(photo credit: AFI)
Barry Liben makes a special trip to Israel just once a year, and his Heritage Affinity AFI flag football team put on quite a show for him Saturday night at Kraft Family Stadium in Jerusalem. Big Blue routed Uncle Bob's Boys 43-6 in their first second-round game, and became the clear favorite to win their division. The thirty two men's teams that have been divided into eight divisions are fighting for 16 spots in the Holyland Bowl playoff bracket. Liben, who sponsors the Big Blue men's and women's teams and is a longtime American Football in Israel supporter, led a group from the US that came to the field to dedicate the $20,000 Liben Box. As part of the festivities Saturday night, which included a mezuza hanging and lighting the Hanukka candles, the Big Blue women's team played an exhibition game against fellow Fiedturf WAFI players. While the women's, co-ed and high school leagues took a Hanukka break last week, eight Heritage Affinity AFI men's league games were played over the weekend. Cleveland Friends 36, T.C. Farbmans 7 After Cleveland Friends' Yossi Farber gave his team an early lead by returning the opening kickoff all the way back for a touchdown, quarterback Yitzi Kolb made sure that they won their first second-round game by throwing three touchdown passes, including two to Reu Berman. In addition to scoring on offense and special teams, Cleveland Friends' defense also put points on the board. Nachum "Roy Williams" Joel ran one of his two interceptions back for a score. Tzvi Cubac and Yair Solow also recorded INTs for Cleveland Friends. Results from Week 10 of the Heritage Affinity AFI: World Class Travel 21, Amigo US 0; Silver Hammers 21, Forefingers 10; Cleveland Friends 36, T.C. Farbmans 7; D & D Marketing 44, Kesher 0; Tivuch Shelly 24, JM in the AM 0 (forfeit); Misha'an Plumbers 46, Norman's 18; Pallorium 60, Mass Mutual 6; Big Blue 43, Uncle Bob's Boys 6; Jerry's Kids 16, Jerusalem Foundation 13. Tuesday's game: 10:30 p.m. - Pizza vs Ziontours/Internet Caf . Friday's games: 9 a.m. - Israel 21C vs Karelitz; Caf Rimon vs Wizard World. 10:05 a.m. - Joe's Eagles vs Holy Bagel; Out-of-Towners vs Oma's. 11:15 a.m. - CardiaCare Rehab vs Meridian Capital; Jump Gym vs Waxman Warriors. 12:20 p.m. - One Hour Cellular vs Derech Etz Chaim; Travaglini vs Sack Exchange. 1:30 p.m. - Croton Watches vs Pizzeria Efrat; Pallorium vs Lobos. Saturday's games: 7 p.m. - Fairmont Funding vs Olive; Caf Net vs Cobras. 8:10 p.m. - Klein Management vs Seidemann & Mermelstein; METV vs Jerusalem Foundation. 9:20 p.m. - Yesodei.org vs Big Blue; Boston Friends vs Jerry's Kids. 10:30 p.m. - D & D Sugar vs Uncle Bob's Boys; Canaan Studio vs Mug Club. Note: All games at Kraft Family Stadium in Jerusalem.