On the often freezing, windy, and rain soaked turf of South Mercer Playfields a champion was crowned in the Friday night Mercer Island Parks & Rec. /Comeback Sports Flag Football League. The team was comprised of all Mercer Island High School alumni who graduated in 2007.

“These guys (“007 Nelsons”) are an excellent example of why we offer recreational sport leagues” said Recreation Coordinator Ryan Daly. “This is a group of guys who, after high school all went different directions with college and jobs but now have come back together to compete and remain very close friends.”

The “007 Nelsons” were a first year team and struggled early on.

“The 1st game was a wakeup call, zero team chemistry. Basically running around like a bunch of wild banshees” said Nick Ketcham, a team captain. Though after a few practices the team had a rough play book put together and quickly became unstoppable.

After a first game (49-7) loss to the “SeaDrunks” of Duval who finished 6-0, the “007 Nelsons” wrapped up the regular season at an impressive 5-1 earning them a No. 2 seed and a bye in the playoffs. Riding a five game winning streak they cruised past the semi-final game with a 33-12 victory over a team out of Seattle. Following their victory they were expecting to play the No. 1 seeded “SeaDrunks” for the Mercer Island title, but the “SeaDrunks” were demolished by No. 4 seeded “The Roanoke”, which was comprised with players from the Mercer Island School District and Parks & Recreation Dept., who had to win two games just to make the Championship.

The “007 Nelson’s” came into the championship vs. “The Roanoke” highly energetic and confident. Playing great defense and having a dominant offense was the key to their championship run. In the title game they didn’t deviate, forcing “The Roanoke” quarterback to throw four interceptions. The offense played extremely well also, as quarterback Steven Frankel (MIHS quarterback in 2006) threw for four touchdowns in a dominating 39-13 victory. Frankel was also named “Cliff Bar Player of the Tournament”.

The 007 Nelsons team includes: Nick Ketcham, Veljko Kopjar, Steven Frankel, Jacob Robis, Wil Nelp, Bryan Naden, Jordan Sinclair, Taylor Dawson, Robbie Philbrick and David Marowitz.