The season opener of San Quentin Rehabilitation Centers’ All-In flag football league featured the Spartans and Don’t Hate, who matched each other touchdown for touchdown as their game came down to the very last play.

The Spartans led 48-46, after Don’t Hate scored the possible game-tying touchdown with four seconds left in the game. Don’t Hate just had to convert their two-point conversion to tie-up the game, but failed. 

Don’t Hate’s quarterback, Keyshawn Strickland, threw a perfect pass to Sidney King who mishandled the pass to end the game on the heartbreaking failed conversion. When Don’t Hate failed to execute the conversion, the Spartans scored another touchdown to keep their undefeated season alive with a 54-46 win.

Strickland led Don’t Hate with 12 completions while scoring five touchdowns. Jimmie Hollins grabbed six receptions and made one touchdown; P. Lord also snared four catches for two scores and a two-point conversion.

For the Spartan’s, Devon Adams and Velteese Mathis were not stayed the offensive leaders of the team by combining for 12 completions and four touchdowns. Antron Gully led the team with six catches and three touchdowns and Joey Coey had four receptions.

The second game of the weekend had Team Finesse against Three P’s.

The Three P’s started off strong but lost their groove when quarterback Andrea Armstrong threw two late-game interceptions that proved costly. Andrea Armstrong had 19 completions for five touchdowns, and Darius Poole and Letoyree Gilmore combined for 12 catches and three touchdowns. Newly acquired Ishmael Burch had four grabs and a score, as did Treavon Early, who contributed two catches and one score. Team Finesse found their rhythm with their new quarterback,  Taiosisi Matangi, who played well with 17 completions, four rushes and nine touchdowns. His favorite target appeared to be Aaron Moton, who had ten grabs for four scores. Team Finesse won 52-42.

The third game of the trifecta saw Don’t Hate pull off a victory over the winless Go Crazy, 56-28, as Strickland led Don’t Hate again. He had 10 completions for five scores on offense and added three interceptions — two for scores — on defense. Jimmie Hollings also shined with six receptions and three touchdowns. 

Go Crazy utilized Bryant Clark under quarterback as he played another good game but struggled under pressure, that led to him throw four interceptions. Clark did have 19 completions and five rushes for three scores; and Elijah Walden, Maurice Higgs and Teron Davis all combined for 16 receptions and two touchdowns, while Navion Starks added a late touchdown.

All-In program coach Carlos Smith spoke about the weekend. “I’m super proud of all the teams, as well as the referees as they’re finding their groove, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” Smith said. “I do recommend our teams start practicing during the summer break to gain chemistry because teams that practice will always have an advantage over a team that doesn’t practice.”