By Robert Balajadia

The Steelers were facing a 16-0 hole until scoring 14 unanswered points to nearly take down the Hals Angels in dramatic fashion. However, the Angels’ defense prevented a 4th and short conversion near midfield with under a minute left to hold on for the 16-14 win.

“Our defense tightened down and played with their hearts. Hats off to the defense, they stopped the Steelers when we really needed it and we got the victory because of them,”

The Angels had just converted on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Phillips to running back Marvin “Crowns” Manibusan to go up 16-0 early in the third quarter.

The Steelers wasted no time answering back as return specialist Thomas Meddler took the kickoff 80 yards for the Steelers first score. A 2-point conversion by Luke Taitague had the Steelers back in business trailing 16-8.

The game trickled into the fourth quarter where the Angels turned the ball over on downs in the red zone. The Steelers then got a couple of big runs by Louie Rivera and quarterback Dontana Keraskes which set up a 17-yard scamper by Meddler to pull the Steelers within two, 16-14.

Steelers Tom Meddler breaks through the Angels defense and runs it down the sideline for a 30 yard run. (photo by Joey Blas)

An unsuccessful run-in on the PAT put the pressure on the Steelers’ defense to get the ball back.

While marching down the field after the four-minute warning, the Angels handed the ball to the sure handed Michael Pangelinan who fumbled the ball back to the Steelers near midfield with under two minutes left in the game.

The Steelers tried to keep their running success alive and managed to grab a first down with under two minutes left in the game. Then, the Angel defense clamped down and stuffed all four running attempts on the Steelers next series of downs to hang on for the win.

The Angels offense uncharacteristically struggled through out the game and appeared to have communication errors. Defensive back Ryan Bigler took a snap at running back and scored the games first touchdown late in the second quarter to give the Angels the lead.

Steelers Daniel Shiffield attempts to block a pass from Angels QB Steven Phillips. (photo by Joey Blas)

“Any day anything can happen. We were just trying to get things going on every play and there was a little miscommunication and miss assignments, that’s all,” said a confident Phillips.

Despite the Raiders already winning the BFL crown with their win over the Eagles on Saturday, Phillips and the Angels, along with the entire BFL, still play hard every Sunday.

“Congrats to the Raiders, but we come out and play every game here like a championship game. We prepare as best as we can and we just want to come out here and play football. We’re motivated every game. Of course our season goal is to be champions, but sometimes it doesn’t pan out that way. We just have to revaluate and get it done.”

There are still three weeks left in the BFL and plenty of action still left in all the teams!