BLAZERS BURN RUFF RYDERS

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By Robert Balajadia

All-purpose player Melissa Perdue scored five touchdowns for the Ruff Ryders but her outstanding performance fell just short of bringing in the win. (photo by Jose Perez)

Steel Blazers quarterback TJ Rodrigues made all the big plays in the fourth quarter, scoring on offense and defense to steal a win over the Ruff Ryders in a 50-42 shootout in the Guam Women’s Tackle Football League at the Eagle Field Saturday morning.

Rodrigues took her team 60 yards in the final four minutes, throwing the lead changing touchdown pass and two-point conversion to receiver Elizabeth Smith to put her team up 43-42.

The Ruff Ryders were given the ball with less than two minutes to play but went a quick four-and-out while trying to run the ball with Melissa Perdue.  The ball was given back to the Blazers but fumbled it back to the Ryders on their first play.

With less than a minute to go Perdue tried to throw the ball down field but Rodrigues picked her off and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown to put her team up 50-42.  Perdue and the Ryders were given a final play with 12 seconds left but Rodrigues picked off Perdue’s last-ditch effort to seal the win.

The Steel Blazers trailed by as many as eight points and kept it close throughout.

Steel Blazers running back Mae Ann Pajaro had some trouble holding on to the ball, coughing up two fumbles against the Ruff Ryders. (photo by Jose Perez)

Trailing 35-34 right after a Rodrigues running touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, the Ryders responded immediately with an 80-yard kick-off return touchdown by Perdue who used one solid cut to the outside to outrun the entire Blazers special teams.  Perdue gave the Ryders the 42-35 lead after a successful two-point conversion but Rodrigues used two plays to find Smith to recapture the lead.

Rodrigues scored a touchdown on the ground, through the air, and on defense.  Tricia Adkins, Mae Ann Pajaro, and Kylie Herron each added touchdowns to pace the Blazers ground game while Smith caught two touchdown passes both from Rodrigues.

Perdue cashed in a five-touchdown performance, scoring a touchdown in every quarter.  Fellow back-mate Jessica “the beast” Taitague scored the only other touchdown outside of Perdue.

The Ruff Ryders have dropped for the second straight game putting them at 2-4 while the Steel Blazers advance to 4-2 with the win.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Ruff Ryders Jessica “the beast” Taitague proved difficult to take down while running with some defenders on her back. (photo by Jose Perez)

Mae Ann Pajaro’s second fumble of the game resulted in another touchdown for the Ruff Ryders. (photo by Jose Perez)

TJ Rodrigues scored touchdowns through the air, on defense, and here on the ground as she breaks away for a game tying touchdown. (photo by Jose Perez)

Mae Ann Pajaro recovered form her early fumbles to score a much needed touchdown for her team. (photo by Jose Perez)

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