They're all thumbs at football
Video game tourney at Concord store attracts boys, boys at heart

CONCORD - Here's how Jeremy Cross prepared for Saturday's Madden NFL 06 video game tournament at Wal-Mart: He played for seven hours straight the night before.
"I just focus on the game and keeping my composure," said Cross, 18, from Landis. "Man, I breed on competition." - NFL Football -
He was one of about 150 to 200 people expected for the tournament at the Concord store off U.S. 29. Thumbs twitched over consoles. Gamers stared at the action, supported by shouts from the crowd, both of the human and video variety.
Boys and boys at heart especially flock to the game, which debuted last week. Made by EA Sports, it's the current version of the most popular video sports game series ever.
District manager Sylvester Johnson launched the Madden tournament at the Wal-Mart in Concord three years ago. Since then, many other Wal-Marts copied the idea.
One year, Johnson said, a 5-year-old boy played an adult to a draw in double overtime. They replayed. The boy won. - NFL Football -
The games began at 8 a.m. Saturday and wrapped up after 6 p.m. There were two winners: J.J. Jones on Xbox and Jamar Wright on PlayStation II. Players sat in rocking chairs and competed on 52-inch flat-screen TVs in the Subway restaurant at Wal-Mart. At lunchtime, players were mostly in their teens and 20s -- all males at that point.
They like the graphics and the realistic action. Plus, they get to yell things like, "Hey, you just got whooped, dawg" to their pals. - NFL Football -
Tony Mays, a 15-year-old from Concord, has been hooked on Madden for several years.
So how often does he play?
"Hoooo," he exhales. "Every day. My folks don't mind."
Right, Dad? Yep. - NFL Football -
Edward Mays, 42, also entered the tourney.
Ronda Burch of Harrisburg watched sons Brandon, 14, and Alex, 11, play. She bought the game the day it came out so they could practice.
They lost, but at least they got to spend time with their mom on her 48th birthday.

ADAM BELL
The Charlotte Observer