LEGACY TO FACE BLAZERS IN GWTFL FINALS

LEGACY WINS BIG TO ADVANCE TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

By Jeffery Ochavillo

The two-time defending champions, Team Legacy, will once again compete for yet another championship after shutting out the Tough Chicks with a 42-0 victory at the UOG Football Field.

“Even though we did fairly well against them in the regular season, anything could have happened in the today’s game that could either make or break the team. But from the beginning, we had to know we were going to win and play with no doubt,” stated Legacy quarterback Morgan Reyes on the rematch and the stake’s of the game.

I did not take long for Legacy to stuff the Chick’s running attack leaving them on the Chick’s on their own 27-yd line on their opening drive. After taking over possession, Reyes got her offense rolling with a series of handoffs to Layola Rivera and Rayonna Quitugua who had given their team big runs to get within a yard away from the end zone. Form there, Reyes quickly handed the ball to Rivera for the first score of the game with a completed conversion.

With many errors committed by the Tough Chicks, Legacy’s Kineshia Flores took advantage of one of the errors with an interception at the 50-yd line then ran 31-yards until pushed out of bounds still in the first quarter.

Layola Rivera ran in another touchdown after getting another handoff from Reyes, followed by a catch by Gianna Sarusal to complete the two-point conversion, to quickly put Legacy up 16-0.

Turnovers continued to curse the Tough Chicks in the 2nd quarter, preventing any opportunity of getting close to a first down. The Tough Chicks’ center over snapped the ball flying right over the quarterback giving Legacy’s defense room to retrieve the fumble and possession. Lined up again a yard away from the end zone, Legacy’s Ashley Arceo was easily able to rush the ball for yet another easy touchdown to go up 22-0 followed by a failed conversion.

With the half coming to an end, Legacy realized they had time for one more play as they lined up at the 15-yard line. Reyes tossed the ball to Quitugua where she ran the sideline and pushed in the ball for a touchdown putting them up 28-0 at the half.

The Tough Chicks came within 20 yards from scoring in the 3rd quarter after recovering a muffed Legacy punt, but with good defense from both teams, the quarter ended scoreless leaving the score still at 28-0.

Legacy’s Gianna Sarasul makes a nice catch in the end zone, but was called back for illegal man in the backfield. (Photo by Joey Blas)

In the final minutes of the 4th quarter, Reyes ran a draw play for teammate Dana Benavente who picked up the delayed handoff and rushed it to the end zone. The touchdown was followed by a completed conversion by Reyes to Sarusal to put the team up 36-0.

In the last closing seconds of the ball game, another draw play was made but for Sarusal who took the ball and jumped into the end zone for the last second touchdown before the refs initially called the end of the game.

With no time for a conversion the game was left at 42-0 giving Legacy another appearance at the championship and a chance for a three-peat in next weekend’s championship game.

When asked about the championship game Reyes responded, “It does not matter who we face in the end because both teams are diverse, but we do have to make sure that we come out stronger till the end. Our expectation of us going to the championship is that it already happened with the last whistle – we come out on top.”

PHOTO GALLERY:

Legacy’s QB Morgan Reyes gets a pass off before getting pressured in the backfield. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Tough Chicks’ Janae Castro receives the punt return and tries to avoid Legacy Kinane Flores.(Photo by Joey Blas)

Legacy’s QB Morgan Reyes sets up the offensive line at the goal line for another touchdown. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Legacy’s Ashley Arceo takes the handoff and runs it in for the touchdown. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Tough Chicks’ QB Debra Bell throws a pass towards the sideline to an open receiver. (Photo by Joey Blas)

STEEL BLAZERS HEADED TO TITLE GAME

By Mike Nauta Jr.

With only two spots available in the Bud Light Guam Women’s Tackle Football League championship game, four teams went to battle yesterday afternoon in hopes of clinching a berth.  In the late game of the day, the Steel Blazers took on the Lady Raiders.  When all was said and done, it was the Steel Blazers who cruised to an easy 34-6 victory.  With the win, the Blazers secured a date in the finals against Team Legacy who won their match earlier in the day.

“Hard work, perseverance, dedication is what allows our team to overcome challenges and walk away with positive challenges,” said the Steel Blazers’ Latoya Mojica.  “Our work is still not done, we have one more game to play and that’s the biggest one of them all.”

Starting the game on their on 37-yard line, the Steel Blazers wasted no time setting the tone as they needed one play to post the game’s first points.  After busting through the heart of the Raiders’ defense, Paulette Nededog cruised 63-yards for the touchdown.  Down 6-0 early, the Raiders looked to equalize the game on their first series on offense.  However, the Blazers also showcased their strength on defense as they forced their opponents to a four and out.

Hungry for more, the Steel Blazers capitalized on their second try on offense and increased their lead to 14-0.  With the ball spotted at the Raiders’ 42-yard line, Steel Blazers starting quarterback TJ “The Predator” Rodrigues went to the air and connected with Mojica who made her way into the end zone untouched.  On the ensuing play, the pair hooked up once again for the two-point conversion.

Later in the second quarter, the Lady Raiders watched their deficit grow larger as the Blazers upped their lead to 20-0 after Rodrigues took matters into her own hands and ran for a 62-yard touchdown.

As the halftime mark loomed, the Raiders hoped to end the shutout.  With a little under six minutes left, a three-yard bust through the yellow and gold wall by Hannah Laguana gave the Lady Raiders six points on the board.  Holding a 14 point lead wasn’t satisfying enough for SB as the duo of Rodrigues and Mojica connected for a 30-yard TD pass.  A successful two-point conversion by Andrina Taimanglo made it a 28-6 game going into intermission.

Second half action witnessed a lot more defense and less scoring.  Both teams would go through the entire third quarter holding one another scoreless. However, in the fourth period, the Blazers “sealed the deal” after a touchdown by Trisha Adkins gave her team a commanding 34-6 lead.  Time on the clock eventually expired with the board reflecting a huge victory by SB.

“Our games are not won by what or how we did on one side of the field,” said Mojica.  “It’s won by how we perform as a whole, as a team, and as a unit. Today we played a good Raiders team and it was our teamwork that earned us a spot in the championship game.”