Tucker’s Cove residents kicked off another season of fantasy football with live drafts, plenty of food and some friendly competition.

Now in its second year, the Tucker’s Cove Fantasy Football Leagues have grown to include one 12 team dynasty league and three redraft leagues, for a total of 48 teams.

Participants range in age from 14 to their mid 50s and include men and women, fathers and sons, and several married couples.

Nicholas Blair, who organized the leagues, told Babcock News he managed his first fantasy football team in 2003 and has continued playing ever since.

“I wanted to make Tucker’s Cove residents only leagues so we could all meet more neighbors with the same interests,” Blair said.

Blair said the community aspect is one of his favorite parts of the leagues.

“The best thing about a neighborhood league is it brings neighbors together for five months of the year, gives us a chance to get together, take in the camaraderie and enjoy some friendly competition,” Blair told Babcock News.

The leagues hold their drafts in person on the final Saturday before the NFL season begins.

The live drafts can get loud, with plenty of laughter, jeering and friendly ridicule, especially when someone accidentally selects a player who has already been drafted. In these leagues, that mistake comes with a price. The manager has to buy a round for everyone.

Food has also become part of the tradition.

Sabal Sweets catered cookies for the event, GrimeFighter Kremidas brought homemade cupcakes, Greg Healing made two cheesecakes and James Miracle provided sliders, along with food brought by several other residents.

The competition comes with some serious bragging rights.

Each league has its own three foot championship trophy. The winning manager receives a plaque with the year, team name and manager’s name that remains permanently attached to the trophy.

The champion also gets to keep the trophy at home for the year.

In addition, the other 11 managers chip in to purchase a personalized championship ring that the league winner gets to keep permanently.

What started as a shared interest in fantasy football has become another way for Tucker’s Cove neighbors to meet, compete and build a community tradition.

Disclaimer: Babcock News is an independent media outlet and is not affiliated with the subjects of this post.