By Robert Balajadia

It was a great Saturday to be a Saint.

The Cinnabon Island Saints were the biggest winners during Saturday’s opening round of the GNYFF playoffs as the Manha, Metgot, and Matua division won big to advance to the second round of the playoffs.

The second seeded Manha division Saints grabbed a big 32-6 win over the Falcons in the early mornings while their third placed Metgot division shutdown the sixth seeded Giants 24-0.

The top seeded Matua division Saints were tested early in the game against the eighth seeded Jets, but a big showing from Bernard Mendiola was the difference as Mendiola racked up two first half touchdowns.

Leading 6-0, Mendiola took full advantage of a punt after Saints defensive lineman Lawrence Breton sacked the Jets quarterback for a big loss. The punt fell right to Mendiola near his own 40-yard line, where he sprinted up the left side of the field right through the Jets punt coverage team to tally the score 12-0 in the second quarter.

After another impressive defensive stop, Saints Christian Duenas took a counter to the right side of the field where he would go untouched for 45 yards for another score to go up 18-0. The Saints tacked on a final touchdown in the second half to push them to the semifinals next weekend.

Bernard Mendiola of the Saints fiercely moves around Jets to find his way to the goal line for the first touchdown of the game, putting the Saints up 6-0 in the first minutes of their showdown against the Jets. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Complete Opening Round Scores

Manha:
Saints 32, Falcons 6
Raiders 27, Jets 6

Metgot:
Cowboys 53, Falcons 0
Saints 24, Giants 0

Matua:
Saints 24, Jets 0
Raiders def. Falcons via Forfiet

Sunday’s Playoff Schedule

Manha @ 10:30 am
Angels vs. Eagles (@ Eagle Field)
Giants vs. Cowboys (@UOG Field)

Metgot @ 12:30 pm
Angels vs. Eagles (@Eagle Field)
Raiders vs. Jets (@UOG Field)

Matua @ 2:30 pm
Angels vs. Eagles (@Eagle Field)
Giants vs. Cowboys (@UOG Field)

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Christian Duenas of the Saints comes through the Jets defense with ease after a punt return which would result in a touchdown. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Edward Sandlin gets held back from gaining yards in the second half of the GNYFF playoff game held at Eagle Field. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Saints QB, Devin Manibusan, finds Curtis Aflleje open for a long pass down the field. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Saints wide receiver, Curtis Aflleje, finds a hole in the Jets defense for a huge gain in the first half of play. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)