The #6 seed Westel Giants who snuck into the playoffs upset a weakened #3 seed Cingular Devil Rays team, 12-6, in the first game of the Cayman Islands Flag Football playoffs.
In the second game the defending champions #4 seed Durty Reid’s Raiders played as you would expect of champions as they dismissed the #5 seed Coconut Joe’s SMU 14 – 6. The medical students of SMU were sent back to school for the fall semester but are to be congratulated for a great first season in the league.
These results set up this week’s two very exciting semifinal match ups. At this stage in the season, the four best teams will now battle it out for the title as #1 seed West Bay Hellcats play against #6 seed Westel Giants. Can the Hellcats break the ‘curse of the Berger Bunch’ and defeat the underdog Westel Giants? Will the Hellcats and their ferocious defense led by DE Ike ‘Chili Bean’ Bush, DE #56 Jamal ‘D’Bo’ Young and DB #24 Philip ‘Pac Man’ Brown be able to contain the ever improving Westel offense?
In the second game #4 seed Durty Reid’s Raiders vs. #2 seed Davy Jones Locker Pirates. The match-up between the Raiders and the Pirates is the game to watch and the one everyone in the league has been anticipating. These two teams have developed a real intense rivalry and will no doubt play with great passion, desire and give it their all to advance to the finals.
The question everyone seems to be asking is: Can the DVJL Pirates win a big game against their arch rivals when it really counts? For the ‘Durty Durty’ can they put a magical run together and get to the finals for the 3rd year straight?
Cingular Devil Rays were missing the savvy of their main man QB, Joe Watjena and it cost them a chance at advancing in the playoffs after winning their division in regular season. Westel took advantage early in the first half with a pass from QB Brad ‘Kiki’s Bwoy’ Berger to #45 Ian Bridges. RB Bridges it took all the way to the end zone after a nice juke move that left several of Cingular’s defenders biting the dust. After the score Cingular’s defensive lineman #97 Barron Solomon decided to kick it up a notch and put some extra pressure on the ‘Berger Bunch’ and got several sacks to keep the game close.
With the opposing defenders now hot at his heels Berger threw up a couple of INTs, one of which #13 DB Chris Gourzong ran back for a TD. On this play (and a few others throughout the game) Berger was left rolling on the ground in agony after a late hit. With the score tied, Westel #3 DB Rusty ‘Blue Eyed Devil’ Smith picked off one of QB Arthur Bogle’s passes just as the first half ended leaving the game tied at 6-6.
The second half was slow with the ball switching hands several times because of unsuccessful attempts. Once again Westel’s TE #50 Darrell ‘Da Pick up Truck’ Porter put the deciding TD on the board when he bowled over Collin Anglin and the rest of the Cingular defense on the 1-yard line after a bruising run. Cingular tried to get back down the field after the 2-minute warning but just couldn’t do it. Westel then ran a running play to wind down the clock and claim their victory with a score of 12-6.
The second game of the day was between Coconut Joes SMU and Durty Reid’s Raiders. After a loss to Daily Grind Shakers in their last regular season game the ‘Durty Durty’ looked fully prepared during their warm up before the game as they did on the field. Durty Reids’ team defense has proven to be their savior every week They immediately stole the momentum from SMU as on the second play of the game #11 DB Sean Moyle intercepted a pass from Seth Etheredge and ran it back 40 yards for a TD. The dominant ‘Durty Durty’ defense was led by Leslie Harvey and Ed Howard who had back-to-back sacks. Coconut Joe’s SMU QB #3 Carver Williams threw a nice 30-yard completion on 4th and 25 to WR Brandon Tilley to get the first-down. The half ended shortly thereafter with a score of 7-0 before SMU could find their way into the end zone.
Just as they ended the first half the Durty Reid’s defense was all over SMU from the restart. DE #72 Ed Howard sacked the QB yet again on a key 3rd down possession forcing Coconut’s Joe’s kicking team to punt the ball on 4th down. WR #80 Leslie ‘MVP’ Harvey called for the punt and returned it 60 yards on a mazy run that will live long in memory for a TD as he out ran the entire Coconut Joe’s team . On the next possession DE #20 Edison Jackson got through the Joe’s line and forced a sack on QB Carver Williams on 4th down when SMU opted for another long attempt in the hopes of getting the necessary first down.
With less than two minutes left QB Williams finally connected with WR Tilley in the end zone but they missed the extra point score 14-6. Coconut Joe’s defense hoping for a shift in momentum stepped up and stopped the Raiders offence on their next possession. With only a few more seconds left SMU tried for another one of those long bombs but DE Edison Jackson who played like a man possessed the entire afternoon got through the line yet again to batted down their last pass and end the game with a score of 14-6.
In the Semi finals round: West Bay Hellcats vs. Westel Giants play the first game at 2:30pm. In the second game DVJL Pirates seek revenge against the Durty Reid’s Raiders in the 4pm game.
Games are played at the field on Outpost Rd. Refreshments are served and all are invited to watch the games.
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