MFL: WARRIORS GROUND EAGLES

By Robert Balajadia

Week 2 of the MFL concluded Sunday as the Pepsi Warriors continued their winning streak over the Island Eagles 21-6 at the Eagles field in the afternoon.

The Eagles offense had trouble getting going all game long, despite their defenses best efforts to keep the Warriors in check. The Pepsi offense looked strong to begin the game, but an inspired Eagles team managed to keep the offense from scoring in the second half.

With the score 14-0 still early in the 3rd quarter, defensive back Sandy Fejeran jumped Eagles’ quarterback JJ McCloud’s route for a 40-yard interception return to go up 21-0, seemingly ceasing complete control of momentum.

The Eagles defense then started to rally after forcing a fumble on Warriors Michael Borja late in the quarter. Quarterback McCloud then tried to his receiver Reggie Baylor through double coverage, but Warriors Davin Cepeda intercepted the pass at the 30-yard line.

Raul “RJ” Bryand of the Warriors lays out to grab a long pass in the endzone for the first touchdown of the game. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Cepeda tried to fight for extra yardage, but instead took a hit too many and fumbled the ball where the Eagles recovered to get the closest to the end zone they’ve been all game.

As the 3rd quarter expired, the Eagles moved inside the red zone after Baylor caught a pass for short yardage followed by an unsportsman-like conduct penalty on the Warriors to set up the Eagles at the 10-yard line.

McCloud was then able to lay out a jump ball to Baylor as Baylor rose up for the uncontested catch, falling right into the end zone for the Eagles first score.

The Warriors managed to get their offense inside the 40-yard line before Eagles linebacker Matthew Moreno intercepted Warriors quarterback Danny Manibusan at the 20 to give the yellow team back the ball.

McCloud tried to go for the home-run play in the games final four minutes, but was picked off by Warriors Alex Azcarraga to allow the Warriors to run out the rest of the game time.

Keanu Lujan of the Warriors gets tangled up with Eagles after completing a short pass. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Manibusan and the Warriors offense came out firing on their opening drive, capping off a 70-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to RJ Bryand.

The Warriors then managed to pin Eagles’ Baylor in the end zone on the ensuing kick after Baylor left the end zone and then re-entered it for a safety on the play to go up 8-0.

Warriors Dave “Double D” Delgado had the games longest touchdown run working for him in the 2nd quarter, a 41-yard dart up the middle, but a holding penalty negated the play. Making good on the drive, the Warriors still managed to finish with a score as Manibusan hit Azcarraga for a 19-yard touchdown to go up 14-0 midway through the 2nd.

The Warriors have yet to lose a game in two years and are already starting out the MFL season on top at (2-0) while the league’s newest team, the Eagles, fall to (1-1).

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Keith Castro of the Eagles charges through Warriors for more yards. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Keanu Lujan of the Warriors gets trampled by Eagles while gaining some rushing yards. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Jeffrey Warfield, Eagles QB, calls the cadence before the play. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)

Valiant “VJ” Borja of the Warriors gets tripped up on a kick-off return in the first quarter. (photo by Kyle Twardowski)