The heat of the competition quickly warmed the stadium as team Black walked on the field with two season losses against White.  Team White confidently strolled onto the field as two time Bowl champions and defeating Black twice in the season.  The game seemed all but inevitable as to the two faced one another. 

However, sports fans that faced the cold were treated to an intense night of a dog fight game. 

Team Black’s offense opened the game and seemed to foreshadow their potential doom against the strongly favored team White.   On the second play of the game over anxious team Black captain, Roy Sitto, tosses a misplaced pass directly into the arms of team White’s Joey Kejbou.  Fortunately for team Black, team White was unable to capitalize on the turnover and was forced to punt. 

Fans braving the cold lined the sidelines and stands with an impressive cheering crowd for Nathum Karrumi of team Black.  Nicknamed the “Black Blur” the doctor who serves as a youth minister and a Chaldean community leader is widely known for his charity and generosity.  However, today he dawned on his uniform to bring his team the Cup. 

Karrumi did not disappoint his fans!  “The Doc. called in some favors from the almighty,” said sideline commentator Bashar Yacoub. “Karrumi’s speed, versatility, focus, and ability to rally his team really shows this man’s leadership and desire.  He did more than take it up a few notches.  This is the kind of player team owners dream to have on their side.  Church pews rattled when this man touched the ball.  Did you see his fan base?  If this man wasn’t so humble he could star in his own movie.  We could call it the Karrumi Cup – hey I have that trademarked Hollywood.”

Dr. Karrumi did not disappoint his fans.  Karrumi puts the first six points on the board from a simple pitch and criss-rosses the entire field before he takes it to the one yard line.  Frustrated he was unable to take it all the way, team Black decides to give the ball back to him on a risky backfield reverse which Karrumi takes into the end zone untouched.  Still not satasified Karrumi QB’s for the extra point and spots John Kello for the extra point. 

Karrumi and Kello’s points fire up team Black as White is stifled midfield with an interception which led to a Sitto to Karrumi 35 yard touchdown pass.  The extra point goes through the upright, and the scoreboard now reads team Black 14 and White 0. 

Frustrated at the level of play, team White shakes off the cold and begins to play their usual game.  Jonna takes the snap.  Drops in the pocket.  Spots Jordan Rassam.  A hiss and slice of wind and then an eruption of fans cheering for a huge 45 yard pass completion. 

Team Black Jonathan Sesi answers White’s eagerness with a subtle interception at the six yard line stopping what seemed to be an inevitable drive that would have put White on the board. 

The half ends keeping Team White scoreless. 

The intensity of the game heats up as White falls behind in what should have been their dominant game to a three-peat Chy Cup victory.  “White storms the field with passion, redolent of past champions,” says the sideline game commentator. “White seems to have regained their composure after being shut out in the first half.  However, Black is no push over, still feeling the sting of their close duel in week six.  Look to Black to pace their game and play a strong defense.”

Just as Yacoub predicted, Black stops White scoreless for the entire third quarter frustrating White’s offense and forcing a turnover interception.

It wasn’t until the final quarter of the game when Team White walks and hops up field.  Outside of the ten yard line team White’s quarterback Joey Jonna finds Joey Kejbou in a cut and snarl.  Jonna threads the pass into Kejbou’s hand putting White on the scoreboard finally.  To add insult to injury, team White runs the same play with the same players in a brilliant short stretch cross angled pass for the extra point.

Memory pangs show on the faces of team Black as most all teams in the Chaldean Football League know – White is dangerous no matter when or where they are on the field. 

Black decides to go bold as they feed the ball to Karrumi again who rushes nearly thirty yards downfield.  The risky and aggressive move by team Black is skillfully played as Karrumi takes the pitch.  He scrambles to the far field.  Spots three white jerseys settling on him fast, Karrumi drops level, twists, and put it into high gear towards the near field sideline and within inches of the end zone, Karrumi takes a suicide dive edging off the goal marker.  The thump on the ground as Karrumi bounces of the cold turf is painfully heard.

The pain fades as the referee blows the whistle long and hard and thrusts both hands into the air signaling a touchdown!

Another six for Karrumi, as team Black turns the table on White and literally takes the wind out of their sails….or they thought!

White is never to be counted out and they showed that profoundly on the next few plays.  Within minutes Jonna orchestrates a symphony downfield.  A zipper pass to Dennis Sarafa and an extra point by Kejbou lightens the scoreboard 20-14, Black. 

With less than a minute to play, Black kills the ball eating up time and assuring their victory!

Team Black fans go wild and storm the field embracing the team.  Flickering of flash bulbs pop across the field as family, friends, and co-workers watch as the underdog Black claim the coveted Chy Cup Trophy. 

Karrumi is rushed and surrounded by fans as the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the 2006 Chaldean Chy Cup Championship is announced. 

An excited and out-of-breath Karrumi says, “We all believed in ourselves and although we lost twice to team White we knew deep in our hearts we were better.  We not only had hope, but we also had faith, and as a team we proved it!”