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The Saints John Anthony Cruz gets knocked over by an Angels defenders while trying to find the pass. (photo by Asha Robles)

The Cinnabon Island Saints and last season’s champions of the Matua division, the LMS Hal’s Angels, went head to head in their first game of the 2013 GNYFF youth football league. The Saints started off their season with a bang after defeating the defending champs 30-12 Sunday afternoon at the Angel field.

After being tied 6-6 for much of the first half, the Angels surprised the crowd with a screen pass to the left from quarterback Nolan Chamberlain to Sean Gomez, and in the same play, throwing down to Tyler Pangelinan who was waiting in the end zone. The Angels then led 12-6 late in the second quarter. With less than two minutes remaining the Saints tied the game at twelve-all when Joey Simmy caught the ball in the end zone.

In the second half, the Saints scored three consecutive touchdowns all in thanks to exceptional field positioning. At each kickoff, the Saints delivered a squib kick into Angel territory and the Saints recovered all three times. So close to the goal line, the Saints scored within the four downs each of the three times.

“We went with squib kicks all day just because it’s a lot harder to return. And we got some lucky bounces to it,” said head coach of the Saints, Osie Cruz.

Saints Joseph Flores and Simmy both scored off runs down the middle to take a 24-12 lead in the fourth quarter. Readying for the kickoff, the Saints squib kicked once again, and recovered the ball at the 25-yard line. At fourth and two yards to go, Devin John Manibusan ran wide right and into the end zone for the final touchdown of the game.

Angels Sean Gomez gets the tackle on The Saints Jesse Rojas. (photo by Asha Robles)

“We worked really hard these past two months. For the past three times that we played these guys, it was a really close game. It came down to the last play, so we knew it was going to be a good game,” said Cruz.

“It’s good that we started this way. We have a lot of experience, but I was worried if we were going to gel together and obviously we did and hopefully we can keep it all the way to the end of the season,” said Cruz.

In the first half, the Angels put points on the board first when Ivan Quidachay recovered his teammates fumble and ran into the end zone. Saints’ John Anthony Cruz tied that game at 6-6 after he caught a quick pass and ran in for a 15-yard touchdown.

“The three squibblers gave the other team momentum and a good team like the Saints, you can’t give them breaks like that. Their offensive line was giving their running backs six to seven yards a pop. You can’t expect to make all these mistakes and win,” said head coach of the Angels, Buzz Shiroma.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

The Saints Joseph Flores tries to make a clean break as he looks to run down the line. (photo by Asha Robles)

Angels Makoa Bamba reaches for ball as a Saints defender makes an interception. (photo by Asha Robles)

The Saints John Anthony Cruz gets knocked over by an Angels defenders while trying to find the pass. (photo by Asha Robles)

Angels Kyle Calairo reaches for ball as a Saints defender tries to make an interception. (photo by Asha Robles)

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