Football

PEPSI POPS RAMS FOR TITLE

by
March 16, 2013

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By Colin Leon Guerrero

Warriors’ HB Hosea Ware sprints for the touchdown as there were no defenders behind him during the first minute of the Miller Bowl. (photo by Kevin Wang)

It was the perfect way to end a perfect season. With their hands raised in victory, the Pepsi Warriors dethroned the defending champion Cars Plus Rams in the Miller Bowl Saturday evening crushing their opponents with a 34-8 victory at the UOG Field, crowning themselves the 2013 MFL Champions.

To say that the Warriors had control of the game would be an understatement. They dominated every aspect of the game from offense to defense. “We are an unselfish team not one guy said it was about him, but it was about the team,” said Loring Cruz head coach for the Warriors, describing his team who went undefeated the entire season.

Although the Warriors won as a team, Miller Bowl MVP Hosea Ware was the one who set the pace early for the Warriors. Ware found a big hole in the Rams’ defense as he gunned it down to the end zone for a 62-yard touchdown run making the score 6-0. “ I wanted to set the pace for the game and my teammates so we can get things going,” said Ware about the opening run.

Warriors Mychel Borja intercepts Rams Will Williams’ pass for a touchdown making the score 25-0 in the third quarter. (photo by Kevin Wang)

The Rams offense started the first quarter on a good note with Will Williams connecting with Eddie Ko for an 11-yard first down at the Warriors’ own 25-yard line. Williams would later run for another first down setting himself up to score in the Warrior’s territory. But Chris Santos intercepted him at the goal line showing again that the Warrior’s defense was tough to handle.

Car Plus’ linebacker Kellen Kawasaki had a big game racking up about 11 tackles. Kawaski had three straight individual tackles denying running back Xavier Reyes from leaving the line of scrimmage setting up the offense to score a potential touchdown. However, Williams was unable to convert a first down on fourth and goal as Don Keraskes sacked him behind the line of scrimmage.

Pepsi began to pick up momentum right before half time after kicker Jared Wood punted an amazing 50-yard field goal to put the Warriors up 9-0 at the end of the second quarter.

By the second half it was clear that the Pepsi’s defense began to wear Will Williams and the Car Plus Rams out. On several plays the Rams were penalized for off sides, as there was miscommunication between Williams and his offensive linemen as the Rams began to internally breakdown.

The Warriors took advantage of those mistakes made by the Rams exposing Williams’ weaknesses right in front of spectators eyes. Mychal Borja deflected a pass from Williams within the Rams eight-yard line to score a touchdown bumping up the lead 25-0 in the third quarter with three minutes left on the clock. The Rams would continue to struggle as poor blocking made by the linesmen allowed defensive tackle Manny Cruz to block and recover a punt for a safety adding to the lead 27-0.

Warriors QB Danny Manibusan began to find his stride in the second half as he threw a deep ball down the field in Rams territory to Lingo Quichocho. Moments later Manibusan connected with MFL veteran Sandy Fejeran for the winning touchdown on a 15-yard pass giving them the lead 33-0. Wood would later nail the PAT making the score 34-0.

Cars Plus finally scored late in the fourth quarter after Williams connected with Kaohu Ruiz for a 20-yard touchdown. Williams later found Jerry Torres for the two-point conversion putting the Rams on the board, 34-8.

Even though it was not an ideal way to end their season, the Rams handled their defeat with grace. Showing sportsmanship and class both teams met mid field for handshakes and hugs after a long season. Now after more than a decade the Pepsi Warriors can finally call themselves champions of the Miller Football League.

“We worked hard this whole season, and it pays off,” said Ware who was named offensive MVP with eight carries for 126 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Santos was the MVP for defense having a stellar game with two interceptions.

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PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
The Warriors celebrate after finishing their season undefeated. (photo by Kevin Wang)
Pepsi ends the championship day with a prayer. (photo by Kevin Wang)
Sandy Fejeran scores the last the touchdown of the MFL championship game. (photo by Kevin Wang)
Pepsi kicker Jared Wood kicks a 50 yard field goal in the second quarter. (photo by Kevin Wang)
Hosea Ware jukes his way for his second rushing touchdown.(photo by Kevin Wang)
Chris Santos grabs his second interception of the game. (photo by Kevin Wang)
Chris Santos reaches for his first interception of the game. (photo by Kevin Wang)
Will Williams throws for his only TD in the fourth quarter. (photo by Kevin Wang)
Danny Manibusan came out as the top QB of the game as he made key plays that padded their big lead. (photo by Kevin Wang)