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By Regina Shiroma

-Islanders’ Andy Fernandez hits the ball, stopping the Raiders from making a touchdown. (photo by Asha Robles)

The Raiders remain at the top of the Budweiser Football League after defeating a seemingly relentless Islanders team 55-18 Sunday afternoon at Eagle field.

Raiders quarterback Danny Manibusan led his team to victory throwing three touchdown passes and running in a touchdown himself.

The first half saw the Islanders as the aggressor. Rashaun Blas put the Islanders on the board early on; however, their lead was short-lived as Dave Delgado punched in a touchdown to tie the game at 6-all.

At the start of the second quarter, Manibusan connected with wide receiver Jacob Torres for a 43-yard touchdown pass. Shortly after, Raiders’ RJ Byand ran the ball for 36-yards to bring his team to the 2-yard line. Byand ran in the 2-yarder to make the score 26-6. Chris Santos sent both PATs through the posts.

The Islanders Steven Flores surprised the Raiders when he raced down the sideline returning a whopping 70-yard interception into the end zone. Islanders Trevor Nielson went on to strip the ball from Manibusan and returned it for a 50-yard touchdown, closing the gap to 26-18.

Raiders’ Junior Cruz takes it down the line as he slips by the Islanders defense. (photo by Asha Robles)

Stephen Santos nearly returned the kickoff for a touchdown, but an illegal horse-collar tackle pulled him out of bounds, and the penalty brought the Raiders to the 11-yard line. Santos’ run as well as Manibusan’s 9-yards, set up Hosea Ware’s 2-yard touchdown late in the second quarter. A Manibusan to Torres connection setup the two-point conversion.

With just 25 seconds left in the half, the Raiders opted to an on-sides kick. Santos recovered the ball, weaved through a host of defenders, hurdled another, and shoved off another before running into the end zone; however, the play was called back as the kick was too short.

“With this league, its best record, so every game counts. We started off sluggish in the beginning; the Isanders scored on the first drive. But that was a wake-up call for our team,” said Manibusan.

The second half saw a more composed Raiders team, not allowing the Islanders to score for the rest of the game.

Raiders Jojohn Quinata played was quick to pick off the runs by the Islanders pushing them back numerous yards, forcing them into punt situations.

Dave Delgado of the Raiders pushes his way through a tough Islanders’ defense. (photo by Asha Robles)

“Coming into the second, the guys were more hungry. We were only up by two touchdowns. In the second half, we have to put it away. Every game’s gonna count, when we have the opportunity to score, we’re going to score,” said Manibusan.

Thanks to big runs by Delgado, Ware sped into the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown run. A reception by Vince Espinal put Islanders deep in Raider territory; however, Marcus Chew nabbed his first of two interceptions late in the third quarter.

After taking it himself and grabbing a first down, Manibusan then would throw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Torres early in the fourth quarter. With three minutes remaining, Marcus Chew grabbed his second interception of the game. Manibusan would take it in himself for a 5-yard rushing touchdown for the final score of the game.

League Standings

Raiders 3-0
Eagles 2-1
Angels 1-1
Islanders 0-3
Steelers 0-3
*as of Dec. 8

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Dave Delgado of the Raiders looks for room to run through tough Islanders’ defense. (photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

(photo by Asha Robles)

Dave Delgado of the Raiders slips past Islanders defense. (photo by Asha Robles)

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