In Iowa Games flag football competition Saturday, the team known as the Has Beens had just one goal in mind.

“We’re just hoping to last at least until halftime or so, where the point thing sets in there,” said team member Travis Sterns, referring to the 35-point mercy rule.

Normally, it wouldn’t be an issue, but it’s not normal to go up against a team called the Paddy Cakes featuring current ISU football players Seneca Wallace and Atif Austin.

Other team members took a more optimistic approach to the game. “It’s kind of a win-win situation, because if we get beat by halftime we can get drunk sooner,” Ryan Eisele said.

Eisele said there wasn’t extensive preparation involved for this game, although the “no plan” plan worked for the first game. In that one, the Has Beens won by a touchdown in double overtime, Eisele said.

“We don’t really have a plan,” he said. “We don’t have any plays or anything.”

The Has Beens did get past halftime, but it was all for naught as the Paddy Cakes scored early and often to take a 30-0 halftime lead. The Has Beens scored early in the second half, but the Paddy Cakes ended the game early with their next score, making it 35-6.

With the loss, the Has Beens were eliminated from Iowa Games competition.

The Paddy Cakes advanced to Sunday with a 2-0 record.

Sterns put pressure on Wallace throughout the game, only to see the Heisman Trophy candidate slip away and torch them with is accurate arm. Each pass was right on the money from Wallace, who even sat out a series in the first half.

The Paddy Cakes even pulled some trick plays out of their bag. Wallace gave up the ball on a hand off, only to get it pitched back to him as he rolled out to his left. Wallace set himself and fired a deep pass diagonally across the field where one of his extra-large lineman was waiting in the end zone.

The pass was dropped, but it worked to perfection.

“Billy Bob would have caught that,” said a Has Been player, referring to the movie Varsity Blues.

The Has Beens lone highlight came early in the second half when quarterback Joel Schimmer tossed a long pass down the left side that was caught by Shane Jacobson.

A few shake-and-bake moves and Jacobson was in for the score. “Where’s the Daily now?” Schimmer shouted as he ran off the field. Back on the sidelines, Schimmer said it was luck, rather than good execution, that led to the touchdown.

“We smell a comeback,” Schimmer said sarcastically. “No, they’re letting us off pretty good here. We have no chance. It was just fun . . . they’re just laying back.

“They didn’t rush me or anything so I picked them apart – picking Division I cornerbacks apart. If [ISU football head coach Dan] McCarney was here, he’d be recruiting me.”

After the game-ending touchdown by the Paddy Cakes on their next possession, Schimmer wasn’t so confident.

“We’re horrible,” he said smiling. “You can quote that – we’re horrible. My completion percentage was like 4-for-6 . . . to the other team.”

Eisele said the two teams played a scrimmage game the night before, which he had fun with. He said despite the loss, he’ll still be at the Cyclones’ season-opener in Kansas City when they take on Florida State.

“Oh yeah, I got tickets the first day they came out,” Eisele said. “I’ll be tailgating.”

All in all, it was a festive and enjoyable atmosphere for the game, held at the Ames Middle School football field. Action finishes up Sunday, with the semifinal and championship games.