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By Robert Balajadia

Rams quarterback Will Williams made key runs to keep the clock running late in the game. (photo by Errol Alegre Jr.)

The Cars Plus Rams made it back to the Miller Bowl with a 7-6 win over the IP&E Angels during Sunday’s Miller Football League semifinals match-up at the UOG field.  The Angels beat the Rams in the regular season 38-26 but the Rams got the last laugh against the Angels in a more defensive-minded game than their regular season outing.

The Angels had the ball at their own 40-yard line, 15 yards away from the first down, with less than 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter when an odd play advanced them to the Rams 40 off a quarterback run from Angels Steve Phillips.  The sideline marker said third down but the line judge forgot to signal that it was a fourth down play.

One referee blew a whistle to signal a dead ball before the ball was snapped which should have reset the down.  The Rams defense and Angels offensive line were beginning to break formation when Phillips grabbed the ball and ran untouched for 10 yards while getting the Angels a first down in the process.  The Rams were exploding in disbelief that the play withstood while the Angels were setting up for the final 11 seconds of the game.

Angels Roosevelt Badgett avoids the Rams front line for one of his most successful runs of the game. (photo by Errol Alegre Jr.)

A couple of off-target throws from Phillips on the next play  and a great pass defense from Rams defensive back Dedrick Harrington ended the Angels season setting up a rematch of last years MFL championship game.

The Rams only touchdown came in the first quarter when Rams quarterback Will Williams hit receiver Rick Rodriguez in stride for a 30-yard touchdown before the quarter ended.  Rams kicker Jason Baza tacked on the PAT to give them the 7-0 lead, which proved to be the difference in the game.

The Angels were held scoreless in the first half due to well defended passes and run containment from defensive back Danny Cepeda and linebacker Kellen Kawasaki.  The Angels turned to Phillips in the third quarter when he hit his receiver for a 45-yard touchdown to bring them within one.  A failed attempt at the 2-point conversion left the score at 7-6.

The Rams had a chance to put the game away in the closing seconds when Williams threw an interception in the end zone, giving the Angels the final 46 seconds to try and win the game.  Angels running back Roosevelt Badgett nearly broke free for a big touchdown early in the fourth quarter but a saving out of bounds tackle by Rams Karl Fukuda stopped him.

The Angels had a costly red zone fumble forced by Rams Kellen Kawasaki and recovered by Rams Davin Cepeda in the second quarter. (photo by Errol Alegre Jr.)

Defensive back Davin Cepeda ignited the Rams secondary defending passes on four different throws from Phillips.  Cepeda also recovered a key fumble in the second quarter which prevented the Rams from scoring.

Rams fullback and defensive lineman Roque Martinez, fresh from his PXC victory over Mylo Lassiter, injured his ankle late in the third quarter which will most likely keep him out of the championship game next Saturday.

The Pepsi Warriors went undefeated all season and beat down the defending champion Rams in the regular season in what is sure to be a heated rematch.

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