Ten questions with Patrick Juneau, captain of the Houston Jaguars.

TFF3: How long have the Houston Jaguars been playing flag football?
Juneau: We have been around since 1998-1999

TFF3: How did it start?
Juneau: I was playing for a team called Run-N-Shoot. Decided I wanted my own team and figured I could do better. So I went for it.

TFF3: If you could describe the current Jaguars team in one sentence how would you do so?
Juneau: We are a team that's getting better day by day, but we still have a lot to learn and achieve. We are a older team with a few sprinkles of young guys.

TFF3: The Jaguars play both 8 man screen and XFFL semi-contact. How does playing XFFL help or hurt the Jaguars when it comes to tournaments?
Juneau: The competition in the X is unbelievable. A lot of the teams were made from the X. Playing in the X keeps you on your toes and keeps your game at all time high, so when you come to the non-contact it makes the game easier

TFF3: Compare Houston ’s 8 man screen leagues versus XFFL leagues. Who plays better ball? What XFFL teams don’t get respect in local and state rankings?
Juneau: The Jaguars, the Gators and the Vipers play better ball. The Jaguars and Vipers (don't get enough respect).

TFF3: Who’s your biggest rival in Houston?
Juneau: The Houston Gators. They are a hell of a team. I hate meeting those guy's. Talent across the board.

TFF3: If you could have one player from another Houston team who do you choose and why?
Juneau: Jay Davis (currently not playing, rehabbing at this time) Played for a team called Elevated back in the day. A hell of a baller and would love to have him on my team.

TFF3: According to texanflagfootball.com the Jaguars are currently ranked #2. Where should you be ranked?
Juneau: Really surprised we are ranked that high, but I will take it.

TFF3: Will the Houston Jaguars be attending the state tournament in College Station this year? How do you think you’ll do?
Juneau: Yes, we will be there and ready to ball. Depending on what I guy's I take and how committed they are, if we have a showing like we did last year in state, we should do pretty well.

TFF3: Player to watch for the Bayou Bash and why?
Juneau: Any team or player can have a break-out tournament, that's what's so great about tournament ball.

Ten questions with Chris Vela, captain of All Madden.

TFF3: How long has Madden been playing flag football?
Vela: All Madden has been around since 1996 with Josh McCree and Waylon Gossett wearing old time leather helmets to tourneys. I joined the team in 1999 and we have been going since then. The longest standing members are Kevin Timmons, Sen Tanh, and myself. There have been several iterations of the team and lots of good friends.

TFF3: How did it start?
Vela: Most people remember the leather helmets, but the team really got going when we played the state tourney in 2000 hosted in Abilene. We won the $1000 cash prize at the Inaugural Houston Texan Tourney Matt Kacal masterminded during Hurricane Alicia I believe. After that we won a couple of smaller B tourneys, then decided to play A ball for a while.

TFF3: If you could describe the current Madden team in one sentence how would you do so?
Vela: In one word, misfits. We are a compilation of some guys other teams gave up on, people avoided because of bad attitudes, and then the sane ones that glue it all together. I am not one of the sane ones I've been told. But we try to play smart within a system and that usually gives us a chance to win.

TFF3: Madden, SPARQ, Uninvited Guests, etc. It’s hard to brand a team and gain recognition with so many team names, despite many of the players being constant. What factors determine which team you bring out?
Vela: Well, prior to some of these new teams within the last couple of years, I think Madden had one of the more recognizable names in Texas flag football. We went through a hard split a couple of years ago and changed to Sparq because that is what the shirts had on them and I think Team Nike would have brought about some lawsuit. We have always been Madden, but we needed to take a step back for bit so we went with aliases. Now, I think we are ready to take the name Madden on again and get back to having some fun which is why we play the game.

TFF3: Madden is combining with Austin Headhunters for the Bayou Bash this year. What advantages and challenges does that combination entail?
Vela: We were going to mix the teams, but Tony (Headhunters QB) had to stay in Austin for family reasons. The challenges would have been getting chemistry quickly and getting to know each other. The obvious advantage is combining 2 talented teams and having some extra players in a long tourney.

TFF3: Who’s your biggest rival in Houston ?
Vela: Well, we have been playing against Rage and Storm the longest, but lately we have had this back and forth thing going with Tuna Can Jones. They have a smart team with some good talent and are the most improved team as of late in my book.

TFF3: If you could have one player from another Houston team who do you choose and why?
Vela: Nice question....very loaded. Next question, LOL. We respect a lot of players on other teams for being team players and talented. But we have trouble getting some of the players we have on our team out on the field (not naming anybody in particular Alex, Sen, Tuyen), let alone trying to look outside the bubble.

TFF3: According to texanflagfootball.com SPARQ/Uninvited Guests are currently ranked #8. Where should you be ranked?
Vela: We are ranked? Huh. I used to pay attention to that a lot more, but we feel we have a good squad that can compete with any team. We just want to improve on the field and have a good time, the rankings can be skewed.

TFF3: Will Madden be attending the state tournament in College Station this year? How do you think you’ll do?
Vela: Yes, we plan on making the state tourney. Regardless of who is able to make it, if we protect the ball and play smart D, we will do well. The goal is to win, but we want to play our best and have fun.

TFF3: Player to watch for the Bayou Bash and why?
Vela: The Asian Persuasions (Sen, Tuyen, and Loc). We pride ourselves on the eastern medicine we recruit and have on our team. Alex Batista is a solid rusher and can have a major effect on a game. Nick Knight, Mark Infante, and Timmons are playmakers as well. Hard to say which one or ones will step up. Hopefully a few.