PACKERS HEROICS STUN COWBOYS

By Daniel Akimoto

It took the entire clock for the Matua Packers to come out on top over the Southern Cowboys Sunday afternoon in the final regular season game of the 2024 Triple J GNYFF league at Talofofo Field.

With no timeouts left on the final drive of the game and playoff implications on the line, the Packers pulled off an unthinkable 7-6 win to clinch the 3rd seed of the Matua Division. Both teams came into the game with identical 5-2 records.

FINAL POSSESSION

After getting the ball back late into the 4th quarter, the Packers found themselves trailing 6-0. The Packers turned to Jude Kelly on a quick slant that he turned into a 28-yard reception putting them in great field position to get into the red zone. The Cowboys were able to get them to 3rd & 1. Desperately needing to keep the drive alive, the Packers gathered behind quarterback Jayson Parr to shove him 3 yards giving them the first down.

Kaleb Toves rushed for an important 16 yards as this is what put them in scoring distance. Two short rushes from Joseph Mesa and Tavion Apatang helped put the ball within the 5 yard line, but the clock was still ticking down as the Packers had no timeouts. As the ball was snapped for the potential final play of the game, a defensive offside penalty was called on the Cowboys putting the ball on the 1 yard line.

The clock was at 0, but the Packers were allowed one last play since the game cannot end on a defensive penalty.

Understanding the severity of the situation, both teams lined up to face off. Cheers from the sidelines could be heard all over Talafofo, but when the ball was snapped, everyone fell in anticipation for the result of the run. Tavion Apatang had managed to sneak his way around the mob of players in the middle as he reached with the ball to pass the goal line for the 1 yard touchdown.The game was tied 6-6 waiting for the PAT to determine the game.

At first, the Packers opted to try for the 2-pt kick attempt, but after 2 defensive penalties brought them to the 1 yard line, they decided to go back to exactly what got them there. Apatang was shoved into the end zone once again to take the game 7-6.

COWBOYS SCORE EARLY

On the game’s opening kickoff, the Cowboys Josiah Cruz danced his way past the Packers kickoff team into the end zone. However, a block-in-the-back penalty called the touchdown back which set up the Cowboys offense in their own territory.

A 3- yard pass from Nathan Esteves to Savannah Paulino put the Cowboys in scoring position. Two hard runs from Dreyden Aguigui capped off the drive as he gave the Cowboys their lone touchdown. During the 2-pt PAT kick attempt, the Packers D-line managed to get past the Cowboys to block it leaving the score as 6-0.

Momentum shifted back and forth the rest of the way until the Packer’s game-winning drive.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Now that the regular season is over, the top four teams from each division advance to the semifinals next weekend.

The GNYFF board will meet Monday night to determine the location and schedule of the game. There is a three-way tie in the Manha division for the fourth and final playoff spot. That decision of who takes that slot will also be determined in Monday’s meeting.

WEEK 9 RESULTS

Manha

Eagles 33, Steelers 6

Raiders 34, Outlaws 20

Angels 41, Broncos 14

Packers 26, Cowboys 7

Metgot

Eagles 40, Steelers 19

Outlaws 39, Raiders 7

Angels 27, Broncos 0

Cowboys 41, Packers 13

Matua

Eagles 35, Steelers 6

Outlaws 32, Raiders 0

Angels 31, Broncos 13

Packers 7, Cowboys 6

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