COWBOYS FLEX STRONG RUN GAME

By Jose Terlaje

It was a blazing hot day at Eagle’s Field in Mangilao, making it a perfect day for football. In week 4 of the GNYFF league, the Southern Cowboys (2-2) took it to the Hawaiian Rock Island Eagles (0-4), defeating the Eagles 27-12. The Southern Cowboys came into the game as the fan favorites, sporting one of biggest rosters in the Matua Division, while the Hawaiian Rock Eagles only had 16 players suit up.

Coming out of halftime with the score knotted a zero, the Cowboys came out with more energy than ever, wasting no time to put some points on the board. On the very first play of the second half, Cowboys’ running back, Travis Concepcion, took the ball down 60 yards, speeding down the sideline past every Eagles defender into the endzone. The Cowboys attempted to go for two but were unsuccessful, leaving the score 6-0.

After the kick-off by the Cowboys to the Eagles, the Cowboys would commit a string of penalties on every snap of the ball, putting the Eagles’ offense on the Cowboys’ 18-yard line. Eagles’ quarterback Dan Philips would go to the air, throwing a 20-yard pass and finding receiver Shayden Attao in the endzone for the touchdown. The Eagles failed to convert on the PAT after the kick was blocked by the Cowboys defense, keeping the game tied 6-6.

Cowboys running back Bob Manglona attempts a spin move to get free. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

With the ball back in the Cowboys’ possession, they continued to use their run game, handing the ball off to running back Travis Concepcion for a few first down runs. The Cowboys’ run game proved to be successful with running back Bob Manglona taking the ball 35 yards into Eagles’ territory for the touchdown. The Cowboys ran the ball in for two points after the try, putting them up 14-6.

The Eagles got the ball back and seemed to be getting a rhythm going with their quarterback Philips throwing for 15 yards and then running for 8 yards. The Cowboys then turned up their defense, forcing and recovering another fumble to put the ball back in their hands. Cowboys, once again, handed the ball off to Manglona who found the open space, finding the pay dirt after running 60 yards. The Cowboys got the extra point, putting them up 21-6

After the kick-off to the Eagles, more penalties were called on the Cowboys, putting the Eagles on the Cowboys’ 28-yard line. The Eagles would not be able to get anything going, turning the ball over on downs. Eagles’ linebacker Kyle Sablan, would end up getting an interception on the next Cowboys play, running the ball for 18 yards and putting the Eagles on the Cowboys’ 9-yard line.

A injury to one of the Cowboys’ players stopped the game for a moment with possibility of canceling the rest of the game, though play would resume. When play did resumed, the Eagles’ Philips would connect with Attao once more, finding him wide open in the middle of the endzone. The PAT was no good, making the score 21-12.

Eagles’ wide receiver Tatum Aflague gains some yards after a catch to give his team a 1st down. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

With only two minutes left on the clock and the ball in the Cowboys’ hands, they proceeded to use their run game to gain yardage and run down the clock. After a penalty on the Eagles, the Cowboys were within the Eagles’ 20-yard line. The Cowboys went to wildcat offense, snapping the ball to running back Travis Concepcion who dashed past Eagles’ defenders into the endzone to close out the game. The Cowboys couldn’t convert the PAT, giving the game a final score of 27-12.

When asked if the Cowboys changed anything in their game plan to get this win after losing two straight games, the Cowboys’ coach Aresenio Babauta replied, “No, we continued to run our game plan utilizing our power backs. We just needed time to fix some mental mistakes. Just like after halftime. We just had to execute. We knew our game would eventually come back.”

Babauta would go on to say, “This was a bounce back game that the team needed. We started the season with one win and then lost our last two games. This is exactly what the boys needed to build their confidence.”

Both teams struggled to find any kind of offensive rhythm throughout the first half. After a good kick-off return, the Eagles used their running game to get the ball moving down the field. After a few short runs by running back Kyle Sablan and Quarterback Daniel Philips, the Eagles turned to their passing game on 3^rd down, finding themselves within the Cowboys’ 10 yard line. The Eagles attempted to run the ball into the endzone but were stopped by the Cowboys’ aggressive defense, which forced and recovered a fumble.

With the ball now in the Cowboys’ hands, they tried to answer back with their own running game, making short runs but the Eagles’ defense was too strong, forcing a quick 3-and-out for the Cowboys. The Cowboys would attempt to go for it on 4^th down, coming up short and turning the ball back over to the Eagles with 4 minutes left until halftime. The Cowboys’ tough defense allowed the Eagles to gain only two yards before forcing a quick three-and-out for the Eagles, who went for it on 4^th down but could not get past the first down marker, turning the ball over on downs.

This time around the Cowboys would try to move the ball down the field in the air but we’re picked off by an Eagles’ linebacker. The Eagles would go to the air on this possession as well, with quarterback Daniel Philips trying to throw the ball deep with time running down before the half. A Cowboys defender would be called for pass interference, moving ball 20 yards down the field with forty seconds left in the half. Eagles’ quarterback Dan Philips would scramble on the next play and run seven yards. On the following play, Philips tried to find an open receiver to put the Eagles in position for a field goal but would be sacked for a loss and the game would go into halftime with the score 0-0.

Divisional Records 

Manha – Cowboys (2-2) Eagles (0-3)

Metgot – Cowboys (4-0) Eagles (1-3)

Matua – Cowboys (2-2) Eagles (1-3)

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Eagles’ Tatum Aflague fully extends to try and haul in the pass. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Eagles’ quarterback Dan Philips races to the sideline after a quarterback scramble. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Cowboys Berckman Episom nearly comes away with an interception. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Eagles’ running back is stopped for a short gain. (photo by Robert Balajadia)