PACKERS PROVE TO BE TOP METGOT, BLANK ANGELS 26-0

By Nick Akimoto

The Penultimate regular season game of the GNYFF saw the Packers steamroll their way to a dominant Metgot 26-0 win over the Angels. Dominant line play from both the Packers’ defensive and offensive line cleared the way for their playmakers, giving them the space to go to work in Angels territory all day long. Both teams came in with 5-0 records, but the Packers clearly proved to be the better team.

Jayleeana “Bubba” Martinez, Xzavier Unchangco, and Julian Lane were able to make big plays for the Packers with all the space available to them. Running backs Unchangco and Lane gashed their way through the Angels defense, getting big chunk yardage runs and making huge plays. Lane’s big runs kept the Angels backpedaling all day long, while Xzavier brought in a rushing and passing touchdown for the Packers. Under her center, Chandler Mendiola, quarterback “Bubba” Martinez was able to capitalize on great field position and run in two touchdowns herself. 

“We’re just taught to drive and keep our blocks. I’m trying to push them and then maybe, if it’s not too rough, then I’ll go up to the second level and get another guy too. It makes me happy [to get four touchdowns]. Makes me feel like the line should get a lot of credit for that because they can’t do touchdowns without the line.” said center Mendiola. 

On defense, the Packers were equally as dominant, as the Angels backfield had nowhere to run. Defensive ends Cohen Leon Guerrero and Savier Cruz were instrumental at stifling the run, keeping the Angels QB runs and reverse runs from getting to the outside. That allowed the Packers linebackers to swarm the run and prevent the Angels from getting very far. 

“I was feeling hype. I was feeling good. I try to stop the play and make sure they don’t gain yard so they don’t win,” said Leon Guerrero. 

With an explosive showing on offense and suffocating defense, the Packers win their second to last game of the season. As playoff football approaches, the Packers look to carry this momentum into the postseason. 

“Coaches are telling us to play hard. We want to play hard and be ready,” said Mendiola. 

GAME RECAP 

From opening kickoff, the Packers made a statement by falling on their own kick. As Unchangco squibbed the first kick, Lane fell on top of it. From there, the Packers offense got the ball moving, looking to Unchangco and Lane to move the ball on the ground. After a big run up the middle from Lane sucked in the Angels secondary, Unchangco took advantage outside the left tackle into open space for a 20 yard touchdown. 

After capitalizing on their onside kick by turning in seven points, the Packers nearly did it again as another Unchangco kick awkwardly bounced through the air and out of the hands of the Angels. Luckily, the Angels were able to dive on it. On offense, the Angels sat back in shotgun with Jasper Ramos under center. Looking to return the favor, Ramos stood behind his blockers and tried to break out to the edge. Leon Guerrero was there to meet him in the backfield for the Packers, and the defense swarmed him from there. From there, the Packers defense was all over the field, denying the Angels any open space.

On offense, the Packers found a bit of a struggle as the Angels adjusted by stacking the box. With 20 yards to go on fourth down, however, the Packers made a gutsy play and handed the ball off to Unchangco. Instead of running however, Unchangco looked down the field and found Jayce Hattori in the endzone for a passing touchdown. 

With Unchangco’s passing touchdown, the Packers went into the half with a 14-0 lead. When they returned, the Packers went straight back to the well, having Unchangco and Lane run the ball through the Angels defense. Lane had an enormous 30-yard run, stiff-arming two Angels defenders into the ground. It seemed like he’d be able to go all the way with the run, but as he attempted to cut back inside, his foot got caught on the line. With all the focus on the Packers speedy backs, however, the Packers ran a play for their quarterback, having “Bubba” hold onto the ball and run it in for a 20-yard touchdown. 

The Packers last touchdown was built off of the momentum of a power reverse play for their tight end Hattori. As he broke out to the sideline, Hattori tried to dive and reach the ball into the endzone, but was just short of the score. Once again, however, “Bubba” punched it in for the Packers, securing the score and a 26-0 victory for the Packers. 

In the Manha Division, the Packers won another shut out, 28-0.

MATUA DIVISION SLUGFEST

It’s anyone’s championship to take as the top four teams slug it out. Two games this weekend pitted the four teams and both games ended in a tie: Outlaws 6, Cowboys 6 and Packers 20, Angels 20.

The Angels hold a slight edge at 5-0-1 while the other three are 4-1-1 heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

Look for an exciting semifinals in that division.

WEEK 6 RESULTS

MANHA

Steelers 13, Eagles 0

Outlaws 42, Cowboys 13

Packers 28, Angels 0

Raiders 12, Crusaders 7

METGOT

Steelers 14, Eagles 6

Cowboys 28, Outlaws 25

Packers 26, Angels 0

Raiders 28, Crusaders 0

MATUA

Eagles 21, Steelers 0

Outlaws 6, Cowboys 6

Packers 20, Angels 20

Raiders 20, Crusaders 18