By Jay Leon Guerrero
The Triple J GNYFF youth football league kicked off its semifinal weekend with the Hal’s Angels taking on the Southern Cowboys in all three divisions. All three games were played Saturday afternoon at the Tiyan Field. Here are the scores:
Matua Divison
Angels 16, Cowboys 6
Metgot Division
Cowboys 24, Angels 0
Manha Division
Angels 31, Cowboys 0
In the Matua Division, the Angels trailed 6-0 at halftime but scored twice in the third quarter to stamp their ticket to the championship game scheduled for next weekend. Paul Quenga scored both touchdowns for the Angels, and Kaden Medler converted both two-point kick attempts to put up 16 points in the third quarter.
“Our coaches reminded us what we came here for: to win today and take this team to the championship,” said Medler. The coaches’ halftime speech had an impact on the Angels who scored on their first possession of the third quarter, a 13-yard run by Quenga.
“Their defense was playing a good game. They were filling up areas (in the first half) we were running too. Our offensive line stepped up and made those adjustments in the second half,” said Quenga.
Cowboys strike first
The Cowboys scored on the opening drive to start the contest to go up 6-0. The drive took five minutes off the clock with five first downs, all runs by the Cowboy running back committee composed of Josiah Cruz, Nathan Esteves and Dreyden Aguigui.
The Cowboys did everything right in the first half and stopped the Angels twice on fourth down. Southern’s Aaron Cundiff had a key sack, and Damian Ooka had an interception to keep the Angels out of the end zone in the first half.
Big third quarter
The Angels came out in the second half on a mission, and quarterback Apollo Moylan found his groove with two big first down completions to Justice Alcantara to set up the scoring runs by Quenga.
“A championship would mean so much to this organization. It would light up the Angels family and want to keep it going for them,” said Quenga.
Quenga had 68 rushing yards on 11 carries to lead the Angels. Christopher Leon Guerrero and Cian Hannon rushed for 37 and 30 yards, respectively, for the Angels.
Moylan completed four passes for 53 yards. Alcantara had three receptions and a rush for 58 total yards. Medler had the interception and a blocked kick conversion for the Angels.
Cruz rushed for 65 yards on 16 carries to lead the Cowboys. Esteves rushed eight times for 50 yards and a touchdown. Esteves also had a game high six tackles. Kawika Asanoma Naputi and Jared Yamasaki Jr. each recorded five tackles for the Cowboys.
Medler said the win was not easy and commended the Cowboys on a great game. “The Cowboys came out hard today. They played a smart game and had a good game plan,” said Medler.
The Angels, the top seed in the Matua division, remain undefeated and await the winner of the #2 Outlaws vs. #3 Packers winner on Sunday.
In the Metgot Division, the Cowboys defeated the Angels 24-0. Ezekiel Maysho had a 60-yard touchdown in the opening quarter and also had a pick-six in the second half to lead the Cowboys. Defense was key for the Cowboys, with Tristan Fernandez returning a fumble for a touchdown as well.
The #2 seed Cowboys await the winner of the #1 seed Outlaws vs. #4 seed Eagles.
In the Manha Division, the undefeated Angels advanced to the championship game behind the heroics of Sage Verango. Verango rushed for over 110 yards and scored two touchdowns to help his team defeat the #4 seed Cowboys 31-0.
The Angels will play the winner of the #2 Eagles vs #3 Outlaws.
Championship Day
Details of the championship location and times will be determined at Monday night’s league meeting.
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