Chiefs tame the Lions
monica simpson | submitted
Cailyn Connor for the Chiefs pulls the flag
of Lion wide receiver Jordan Pasco.
Future Guardian Insurance Chiefs21
Bowes Imaging Lions12
Under the Friday night lights of the Anna Maria Island Community Center, the Future Guardian Insurance Chiefs quickly made their mark on the scoreboard in their defeat of the Bowes Imaging Lions during youth flag football play in the 8- to 10-year-old age division. The first play of the game saw Cailyn Connor dash across the field for a 12-yard run for the Chiefs. Cole Pearson took the Chiefs to the five-yard line of the Lions with a huge run. Pearson showed his passing skills in the third play of the game when the Chiefs’ quarterback, Parker Storey, gave the ball to Pearson, who threw the ball back to Storey in the end zone for the first score of the night. Pearson took the Chiefs’ lead to 7-0 with the successful point after.
The first half looked promising for the Bowes Imaging Lions. Despite strong passing by quarterback Luke Bisio and the speedy wheels of Anthony Monetti, the Lions remained scoreless through one half of play. The Chiefs continued with their strong offensive attacks, scoring two more touchdowns by Storey and Pearson along with an interception by Connor.
The second half of the game saw the Lions come out strong and determined. Showing a defensive front, Luke and Mikey Bowes and Lincoln Sauls helped the Lions hold the field. The Chiefs could not put any additional points on the scoreboard in the second half.
The Chiefs’ never stopped playing hard. Team contributions by Jackson Rush, Tristan Starkey and Dylan Jacques helped to keep the Lions contained during their first two drives of the second half despite making good yardage.
Connor Allen made a critical flag pull for the Chiefs, stopping the Lions from making a first down during their second possession. The Lions’ first points of the game would have to wait until next set of downs. Bisio showed off his strong arm with a 20-yard pass to Monetti who ran the ball in for the Lions’ first touchdown. Failing to score the extra point, the Lions lessened the lead of the Chiefs bringing the score to 21-6.
With the last possession of the game, Jordan Pasco caught a 10-yard pass from Bisio, and Fiona Turner-Leathem moved the ball with rushing yards, leading the way for the second TD of the night for Monetti. With the missed point after, the game finished with the Chiefs claiming the victory.
