Football

COMPLETE GNYFF FINALS RECAP

The GNYFF season came to a thrilling conclusion Saturday evening as the Winward Memorial Hal’s Angels took home two of the three titles up for grabs with the Southern Cowboys capturing the Metgot title.

by
GSPN
November 1, 2014

The Cinnabon Island Saints were finalists in each division, though Saturday was not their day after losing two heartbreakers in Metgot and Matua division.

Check out all the recap of all the Saturday’s action.

Manha Angels Dominate, Win 3^rd Straight Championship

By Jose Terlaje

The sidelines of GW field were gleaming with colors as hundreds of spectators sporting their team colors came to witness the GNYFF Manha Division Championship game between the Cinnabon Saints and the Windward Memorial Hal’s Angels.

The Windward Memorial Hal’s Angels topped off an undefeated season in the most fitting way possible, winning the GNYFF Manha Division Championship in dominating fashion, beating the Cinnabon Saints 26-7. This was the Angels’ third Manha Division championship in a row and their fourth championship in five years.

At the start of the game, the Angels seemed to have their offense together with RB Darren Cepeda picking up a 30 yard run on his first carry of the game. With the Angels close to scoring the Saints’ defense came up big with a sack on fourth down by Leonard Tedtaotao to give the Saints the ball on their own eight yard line. The Saints were unable to get anything going on this possession, being forced to punt the ball back to the Angels who returned it to the Saints’ 15 yard line. A five yard penalty by the Saints would move the ball to their 10 yard line. The Angels took advantage of this great field position with RB Noah Medler taking it to the house after two run plays through the trenches. Medler ran the ball in again for the PAT to give the Angels the 7-0 lead.

After giving the ball back to the Saints, the Angels kept up their strong defense and regained possession at the Saints’ 32 yard line after a quick turnover on downs. The Angels stuck with their run game and continued to pound the Saints’ defense with short runs by Sage Castro and Kymani Paulino that brought the Angels to the Saints’ 20 yard line. After a five yard run by Cepeda, the Angels ran the ball with Medler again, carrying it 11 yards down the field to the Saints’ 4 yard line. The Saints’ defense kept their opponents in place on the next three plays, stuffing the running efforts of the Angels. On a fourth down play, the ball was handed off to Medler who once again ran the ball past the defense through the middle into pay dirt to extend the Angels’ lead. The PAT was no good, putting the Angels up 13-0.

Angels safety (#5) after an interception. (photo by Rock Anciano)

With the ball back in their possession, the Saints looked to get something going in the air but the pass was picked off by the Angels’ Cepeda, giving the ball back to his team on their own 40 yard line. A penalty on the offense pushed the Angels back five yards. On first play of this possession the Angels handed the ball off to Medler who was untouched as he ran 45 yards into the endzone, taking a clear path created by the impressive blocks the Angels’ offensive line. Cepeda ran in the PAT and the Angels took a 20-0 going into halftime.

“One of the main things we work on at practice is blocking discipline. We make sure our kids know what their jobs are as long as they can do their job we’ll be fine. “, said Angels’ Coach Steve Aguon when asked the key to his team’s dominant run game. Aguon also said that his defense’s strength comes from the fact that they have to practice against a really strong offense at practice.

The Angels had no intention of easing up even with such a huge lead in the game. At the start of the second half the Angels’ Cepeda got a sack on the Saints’ Tedtaotao, forcing and recovering a fumble on the Saints’ 15 yard line. Cepeda was then handed the ball and took it five yards down the field to give his team first and goal. The Angels’ Medler carried the ball on the next play, breaking tackles and grinding 10 yards for the touchdown but the PAT was no good, giving the Angels a 26-0 lead.

Although down by a great deal of points the Saints would not go down without a fight. The Saints’ Jayden Quenga grinded through the trenches to pick 34 yards on the next four plays to finally put the Saints on the scoreboard with a touchdown. The Saints’ Tedtaotao ran in the PAT, making the score 26-7.

With little time left on the clock the Angels went back to their run game to kill time, using Castro and Paulino to pick up short yardage. After a turnover on downs, the Saints regained possession of the ball on their own 25 yard line. The Saints attempted get some more points on the board with their run game, utilizing Quenga and Henry Mendiola but the Angels’ solid defense kept them from gaining any momentum. The Angels forced the Saints to turn over the ball on downs, ending the game 26-7.

The man of the hour, Noah Medler of the Angels, who scored every single touchdown for his team, timidly said “I’m very happy” when asked about how it feels to win his third straight Manha Division Championship. Medler also said that he tries to play well for his teammates who work hard at practice and that he is motivated to do his best for his family. He went on to say that his favorite football player is Desean Jackson because of the way he runs the ball after the reception.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Angels safety (#5) after an interception. (photo by Rock Anciano)
Saints RB Quenga tackled stopped by the Angels (photo by Rock Anciano)
Saints coach mentoring his players during halftime. (photo by Rock Anciano)
Cowboys Metgot Championship In OvertimeBy Michael J.A. Nauta Jr.
It was championship Saturday for three divisions in the 2014 Triple J Ford Youth Football League. Six teams made their way to the GW football field ready to battle in three divisions and hoping to end their season hoisting a championship trophy. In the second game of the day, the third seed Cinnabon Island Saints took on the top-ranked Southern Cowboys for the Metgot Division championship. Neither team would disappoint as both played an intense-filled game that needed overtime to crown a champion. When all was said and done and the final whistle was blown, it was the Cowboys who celebrated a 20-14 victory and the 2014 division title.
“It is a great feeling knowing that our team just won a championship,” said Cowboys Head Coach Greg Jacobs. “What makes it even better is knowing that our team fought through adversities presented in this game. That Saints team came to play today and put us through a great test.”
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Cowboys found themselves in a very unusual position trailing the Saints 12-7. Still trying to find answers for the Saints’ effective running game led by Dylan Peter Manibusan and quarterback Andrew Perez, the Cowboys defense needed answers quick as time continued to fade away. Despite allowing their opponents into the red zone, the Cowboys eventually forced a turnover on downs.
Gabriel Stanley of the Cowboys blasts through Saints for a big gain. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Determined to move the chains, the Cowboys began the ensuing drive with a run by Gabriel Stanley only to be stopped by a host of Saints defensive players. One play later, the scoreboard reflected a 14-7 score after a high snap by the Cowboys went into the end zone and out of bounds awarding the Saints two points on a safety. With a little less than four minutes left in the game and holding possession, the Saints weren’t far from a win. However, the Cowboys weren’t ready to throw in the towel as they demonstrated resilience on defense forcing the Saints to punt.
After regaining possession, the Cowboys understood what needed to happen with the clock winding down. A sweet pass from quarterback Travon Jacobs threaded two Saints defenders and into the hands of teammate Jerome Urdaneta for a 28-yard reception and moving the chains into Saints territory. On the ensuing snap, Jacobs connected with Nico Velez who cruised into the end zone unscathed for a 48-yard touchdown reception. Needing the PAT to equalize the match, the Cowboys converted to make it a 14-14 game.
“We really wanted this game bad and we weren’t just going to give up,” said Travon Jacobs. “We worked to hard all year and I kept telling myself there is no way we are leaving this field today without a championship. I was determined to find my teammates down field and make something happen.”
Coach Jacobs holds the GNYFF Metgot Division Championship trophy high while the Cowboys celebrate after beating the Saints. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
With both teams getting a full set of downs and starting from the ten yard line, overtime kept fans on both sides on the edge of their seats. The Saints were first on offense and began their series with a run. Despite positive yardage, a penalty moved the chains 15-yards back. On the next play, quarterback Andrew Perez went to the air only to have his pass intercepted by the Cowboys’ Stanley ending the Saints chances on offense.
The Cowboys capitalized on the turnover and went to work on their attempt on offense from the ten-yard line. An offsides call moved the chains closer to the goal line. A run to the left side by Gabriel Stanley was good enough for two yards and putting the ball on the three yard line. On what would be the last and deciding play of the game, Rasean Jacobs pounded the last three yards into the end zone for a touchdown that ended the game giving the Cowboys a championship.
“I’m so happy for all of my teammates and we just all worked so hard for this,” said the Cowboys’ Velez.” “Everyone in this team did their job and the one thing that was important is we never gave up. The Saints definitely made us earn our win today.”
OPENING HALF A NAIL-BITER
If the opening half was any indication of what fans were going to be treated too for the remainder of the game, then both teams ensured that it was going to be an exciting one. Defenses by both teams wasted no time setting the tone early on as neither was willing to give up points in the opening quarter. It wasn’t until the second period when the Saints posted the game’s first points after Manibusan powered his way through the Cowboys defense for a four yard touchdown run. The top seeded Cowboys refused to go into the halftime break with a “goose egg” on their side of the scoreboard. After a 31-yard catch by Velez put his team in the red zone, Rasean Jacobs carried the ball passed the goal line for TD. A successful PAT gave the Cowboys a slim 7-6 lead. Heading into halftime the Cowboys maintained their mere one-point lead.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Karmerin Toves gets shoved out-of-bounds after a huge gain in the second half. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
The Saints could control the athleticism of Cowboys RB, Gabriel Stanley. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Cowboys RB, Gabriel Stanley, gets shut down by Saints on a run play. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Gabriel Stanley of the Cowboys holds off while picking up some extra yardage before being brought down. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Nico Velez of the Cowboys couldn’t hold onto a pass but still attempts to save it before hitting the ground in the first quarter of play. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Pangelinan’s Wins It For The AngelsBy Robert Balajadia
Angels all-purpose offensive threat Tyler Pangelinan had the game winning points in his foot and he delivered from 32 yards out to lift the Angels over the Saints 10-7 in a tightly contested game to conclude the GNYFF season.
The two teams were no strangers to lighting up the scoreboards in the regular season, though the championship proved points were hard to come by.
The Angels were staring down a 7-0 deficit late in the 3rd quarter until a big fourth down stop for the boys in blue at midfield gave them a momentum changing wave of offense.
Angels receiver Makoa Bamba hauled in a big catch to bring his team inside the red zone for the first time in the half. Teammate Calvin Aguon made good on a short yardage run after the Angels elected to grind the ball on the ground, scoring from just five yards out with a PAT tying the game at 7 to end the 4th quarter.
Bamba then made another impactful play at midfield as he picked off Saints quarterback Devin John Manibusan at the 45-yard line with time winding down in the quarter.
Makoa Bamba grabs a short pass then finds some extra yards through the middle of the field. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
A few good runs by Kobe Quimbao allowed the team to set up the game winning field goal, despite a substation infraction pushing them back.
The Saints struck first in the 2nd quarter as Manibusan broke free for a run up the middle for 68-yard touchdown to go up 7-0.
The Saints kept the Angels out of the end zone for the first half after coming up with key 4th down stops despite the Angels getting in the red zone twice in the first half.
The Angels returned the favor in the second half as they stopped the Saints on crucial 4th downs.
Pangeilnan’s kick was just the a worthy touch to end a great GNYFF season as the wealth of teams always bring a crowd. It was a rough day for the entire Saints club as neither of the three championship teams were able to bring home the wins.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Bernard Mendiola of the Saints finds a hole in the defensive line to pick up some yards. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Players and coaches celebrate after the Angels win the GNYFF Matua Championship game against the Saints. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Javier Lujan of the Angels battles through Saints to gain some extra yards on the play. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Devin Manibusan gets stopped by Angels after a short gain. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Makoa Bamba grabs a short pass then finds some extra yards through the middle of the field. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)
Devin Manibusan runs a QB sneak which would end with the first touchdown of the game for the Saints. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)