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By TOM BRENNAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2007

MANGO - Tony Dungy wouldn't have done it this way.

The Indianapolis Colts' defense had just turned back the Dallas Cowboys on downs late in the fourth quarter, nursing a slim lead.

But rather than milking the clock, Peyton Manning dropped back, finding Marvin Harrison for a 78-yard touchdown that broke the game open and secured the win.

But Colts coach Dungy wasn't calling the plays. It was 11-year-old Dalton Hughes of Mango, who won the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department's Madden NFL 08 video game championship in his 9 to 11 age group.

If Hughes' play calling wasn't the NFL norm, his post-win comments were.

'I wanted to come out and do my best,' he said. 'I looked at the defense and tried to pick a play that would work best.'

The tournament matched champions from recreation centers countywide.

More than 2,000 players started the competition in mid-September at the county's 42 recreation centers. Tournament organizers carved out eight regions across the county, and winners at each recreation center competed with other winners in their region. Title holders in those matches earned a shot to face off against other regional champs at the finals Friday at the Mango Recreation Center.

The tournament was the brainchild of James Crouch, who is in charge of technology for the parks department. He said all 42 rec centers have computers equipped with Madden NFL 08, a lifelike virtual football game simulator, 'and the kids really seem to enjoy playing it.'

Crouch said the tournament also was meant to bring attention to the department's Computers For Kids program, which encourages people to donate computers to recreation centers for after-school and summer programs.

The gamers were divided into three groups by age: 6 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 and older. Prizes were awarded to the top two finishers.

Preliminary rounds were played on PCs scattered around the center's common room. The finals were projected onto a massive overhead screen, drawing oohs and ahhs from dozens of friends and parents.

Dungy would have been pleased. The Colts won in each age category. Players chose a team and kept it throughout the competition.

'I chose them because of their offense,' said 15-year-old Andre Hills of Ruskin, who won in the eldest age bracket.

Carolos Curnow, 6, of Valrico, also lit up the scoreboard, mostly on long bombs from Manning to Harrison. He also tried onside kicks after every touchdown.

'I wanted to get the ball back,' he explained.

Couch said the county will hold another tournament in March that won't be limited to players from county recreation centers. He said Madden 2008 tournaments are planned for boys and Dance Dance Revolution competitions for girls.

Hughes appreciated his win, but he acknowledged the video game isn't entirely authentic.

'In real football, all these big plays wouldn't happen,' he said.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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