Elated Eagles electrify
The Sun sports game of the week was an 18-year-old and up division playoff game between the number four seeded Duffy’s Tavern Eagles and the number five seeded Beach Bistro Raiders in the Anna Maria Island Community Center’s co-ed recreational NFL Flag Football League.
It took both teams most of the first half to settle in and come up with a game plan. Both defenses were playing tough, and no first downs were given to the opponent in the first half until remarkably under four minutes. But this game would soon prove to be one of the most thrilling this reporter has seen in a long time.
The Beach Bistro Raiders got on the scoreboard first but it was by their defense. With seven minutes left in the first half, Caleb Roberts intercepted a deflected pass and returned it 15 yards for the pick-six touchdown. The extra-point was unsuccessful and gave the Raiders the lead 6-0.
With less than four minutes left in the half, the Duffy’s Tavern Eagles finally picked up a first down. They proceeded down to the one yard-line and then scored on a Chris Gillum pass to Chris Muldoon. The extra-point was no good and tied the score 6-6.
The Raiders offense marched right back down the field. Determined to score before the end of the first half, Matt Kretzman caught a short pass from quarterback Zach Schield. He split three defenders and carried it 24 yards for the touchdown. The extra-point was good on a Schield pass to Joe Ciasullo and gave the Raiders the lead 13-6.
The Eagles had one-minute and seven seconds left in the half to try and tie the game. On their first play, Gillum threw a short pass to Chad Woods, who burst up the middle and carried the ball down to the 12-yard line. Two plays later the Eagles were faced with a third and goal from the three yard-line and only 10 seconds left.
The Eagles called timeout to stop the clock and set their final first half play. On third and goal, Gillum found a crossing Jodi Jester in the middle of the end-zone for the touchdown. The extra-point was no good, and the Raiders took the 13 to 12 lead into halftime.
The Eagles started with the ball in the second half and marched down the field to the 14-yard-line. Caleb Roberts then intercepted his second pass of the game in the end-zone for the Raiders and stopped the Eagles once again.
On the very next play, Roberts sparked the Raiders again when he caught a short pass. He then broke through two tackles and raced down the sideline for the 35-yard touchdown. The try for point was unsuccessful but gave the Raiders a 19 to 12 lead.
With 14 minutes left in the game, Gillum led the Eagles back. On second and goal from the six yard-line, Gillum threw a timing pattern to the corner pylon to Muldoon for the touchdown. The extra-point was good to Woods and the game was now tied 19 -19.
The Eagles defense stepped up twice and forced the Raiders to a pair of three and outs. With less than six minutes to play, Dylan Kraut ran a sideline double-move go pattern, and Gillum connected with him for the 35-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point pass was good to an open Woods and gave the Eagles the lead 26 to 19.
With two minutes left in the game, the Raiders stormed back down the field. On a second and goal play from the 14-yard-line, Schield threw a sideline out pattern to Roberts for the touchdown. This made the score 26 to 25 and the Raiders called timeout with 40 seconds left to decide if they wanted to go for the two-point conversion and the win or one point and the tie.
The Raiders decide to go for the thrilling two-point play and the win. Shield was heavily rushed and scrambled to his right. He threw a jump-ball pass to a leaping Kretzman, who hauled in the two-point pass and gave the Raiders the lead 27 to 26.
The Eagles still had 40 seconds left on the clock and two time outs. Calmly and methodically, Gillum marched the Eagles down the field. With first and goal from the 24-yard-line Jodi Jester caught a ball and took it to the 12. Now with only seven seconds on the clock, Gillum threw an incomplete pass that stopped the clock and made it third and goal with only two seconds remaining.
The Eagles were now faced with the last play of the game and only two seconds left. Gillum scrambled to his left and avoided the rush. He then threw a laser strike to Dylan Kraut in the middle of the end-zone and the thrilling game winning touchdown.
After the game winning comeback drive and the 32 to 27 final score, the elated Duffy’s Tavern Eagles team will now advance to the semi-final game against the number one seeded Slim’s Place Bears.
Adult co-ed Volleyball Schedule
April. 1, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. – 3rd Seed Team vs. 2nd seed team - Playoffs
April. 1, Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. – winner of 7:30 game vs. 1st seed team – Championship Game