sports 2 3 4 Photos by David Reed 1. Team White celebrates. 2. White receivers Tim Acho (left), Mike Sesi and Jordan Rassam with QB Joey Jonna in the background. 3. Black Coach Tarik Kama goes after Nick Hermiz’s flag. 4. White Coach Joey Jonna diving for a TD in the first quarter. 5. Blue’s Whitney Jabbori goes after Black’s Heather Sinawe. 6. MVP Chanel Shina. 7. WCFL Blue Coach Dani Jajou drinking from the Desteetha after the win. 8. Team Black celebrates. Defense clinches Chy Cup for Team White By Steve Stein “ Defense wins championships” isn’t a wornout and tired sports cliché. The truism was very much alive this fall in the Chaldean Football League. Team White, which relied on its tough defense all season, beat Team Black 20-6 in the CFL championship game on October 29 under the lights at West Bloomfield High School to win the coveted Chy Cup. “Our defense was the best in the league,” said Team White coach and quarterback Joey Jonna. “I give them 100 percent credit for our championship. Our offense was horrible, and that was my fault. I didn’t have a good season.” It was a good enough season for Jonna to win his second straight title in his first two seasons back in the six-team flag football league after missing two years because of a back problem. “I can’t play defense anymore, but I’m feeling pretty good,” said Jonna, 31, who began playing in the league when he was first eligible after graduating from Catholic Central High School. Jonna threw three touchdown passes in the 31st annual Chy Cup game. Two went to Danny Shaba and one was caught by Tim Acho, who also intercepted two Team Black passes. Jordan Rassam had three sacks for the vaunted Team White defense. Rassam, a two-way lineman; Acho, who plays Tommy Garmo and Brian Yono watched in style with their own personal fire. receiver and cornerback; and slot receiver-linebacker Nick Hermiz were labeled team MVPs by Jonna. Also on the Team White roster were Pierre Bacall, Derek Dickow, Frank Jonna, Ramzy Kizy Jr., Brian Najor, Lance Samona, James Semma and Mike Sesi. Team White won its first four regular-season games, three at the wire, then went into a slump that saw it lose four of six. It ended the regular season with a 6-4 record and the No. 3 seed in the four-team playoffs. 1 A 24-13 win over No. 2 seed and arch-rival Team Yellow on October 23 in the semifinals avenged a 21-6 loss during the regular season and sent Team White into the championship game. Team Black beat Team Red 20-13 on the final day of the regular season to make the playoffs as the No. 4 seed. It then shocked No. 1 seed Team Green 27-13 in the semifinals. “Team Red woke up a sleeping giant,” said Team Black coach Tarik Kama. His roster included Nelson Brikho, Karl Dallou, Chris Denha, Paul Kejbo, Vinny Kejbou, Joey Namou, J.P. Namou, Dylan Putrus, Derek Rabban, Steve Sagmani, Andrew Shango and Marvin Yeldo. The fact that the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds played for the championship and had a combined nine regular-season losses between them didn’t surprise Dickow, the league commissioner. “We’re proud of the parity and talent in our league,” he said. “The guys are faster and stronger every year.” Jonna agreed. “The talent level in the league is at an all-time high,” he said. While younger players have raised the league’s talent level, the veterans have held their own year after year. “It’s a special opportunity to play with guys who have been in the league for 20 to 25 years,” Dickow said. “They wake up every Sunday morning to play and put everything on the line for their teammates. To be in the league that long takes a tremendous amount of commitment and dedication.” CFL legends Kizy and Dallou played for Team White and Team Black, respectively, in the championship game. Kizy has been in the CFL since the 1980s. More than ,000 was raised for the Team Gen Cancer Foundation at the Chy Cup game. Papa’s Pizza, Absopure Water and Save a Lot helped defray expenses and raise money. “We couldn’t have raised that much money without our sponsors,” Dickow said. The foundation was founded in July by a group of women to honor friend Jennifer Yatuoma, a fouryear cancer survivor. 56 CHALDEAN NEWS DECEMBER 2011
5 6 7 Alessandra Bridal& Formal Wear 29214 Hoover Road • Warren, Michigan Phone: (586) 574-2233 Email: alessandrabride@aol.com Web: www.alessandrabride.com 8 American Dental Center For women, Black beats Blue The two-year-old Women’s Chaldean Football League held its championship game before the CFL title game for the first time and Team Blue beat Team Black 6-0 to win the Desteetha Cup. After two years of playing an East vs. West game prior to the Chy Cup game, it appears the WCHL championship game will continue in that spot instead of after the CFL semifinals. “It makes more sense,” said Lauren Yasso, one of the WCFL founders and captain of Team Red, one of the league’s four teams. No. 4 seed Team Black beat No. 1 seed Team White, and No. 2 seed Team Blue beat No. 3 seed Team Red in the WCFL semifinals. WCFL teams are coached by CFL players. Dani Jajjou coached champion Team Blue, and the captain was Linda Zetouna. Other players were Skye Acho, Whitney Jabbori, Nikki Acho, Chanel Shina, Sylvia Yaldo, Michelle Konja, Reina Kalabat, Ashley Patros and Sabrina Shaouni. Britney Abbo was a reserve player. Tyson Yono coached Team Black, and Francesca Kesto was the captain. Other players were Alexa Bahoura, Heather Sinawe, Chelsea Acho, Alina Georges, Reem Gulli, Amanda Esho, Lauren Awdish, Amanda Shina and Chantal Yousif. Amanda Kanona was a reserve player. Stefan Kalabat was the Team Red coach. Team White coach was Norman Yono, and the captain was Sandy Acho. For more information on the CFL, visit ChaldeanFootball.com. For the WCFL, visit WomansCFL.Weebly.com. We strive to provide the quality of work and attention to detail that will result in long lasting, healthy smiles. VENEERS • BONDING • BLEACHING • IMPLANTS ROOT CANALS • WISDOM TEETH • NIGHT GUARDS Dr. Rebecca E. Roumayah 3211 Coolidge Highway Berkley, MI 48072 Phone: (248) 541-2588 We accept most insurances in addition to being a Dentemax and Delta Dental PPO provider. DECEMBER 2011 CHALDEAN NEWS 57
Introducing TruMoo, making chocolat
4 CHALDEAN NEWS DECEMBER 2011
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