Bandits Over Shamrocks In OT
- Updated: September 26, 2019
Photo courtesy of Nikki Gray
With first place on the line, the Boston Bandits opened their game versus the Marlboro Shamrocks with a bang. An 85 yard kickoff return by Andre Williams gave them a quick 7-0 lead after Hermes Lima secured the PAT. The Shamrocks’ subsequent kickoff return ended unfortunately with a serious injury to the dynamic Orlando A-Prescott.
After a punt, the Bandits scored again when Giovanni Sanders connected on a 80 yard completion to Williams for a 14-0 lead. The Shamrocks however answered quickly on a 14yd pass from Blake Rice to Johnny Moores; a Pat Caruso PAT put the game at 14-7. After a Sanders pass was ruled a backward pass and fumble, the Shamrocks scored again when Rice connected with Will Early. The PAT failed leaving the score as 14-13 Bandits. The Shamrocks took the lead at the half when Rice connected with Graham Asum on a 26yd strike. The two point score failed leaving the score at 19-14 Shamrocks at the half.
The Bandits would intercept Rice’s opening pass in the third quarter when Kelton Brackett took a screen pass back 33 yards for a touchdown and a 21-19 lead. The Bandits would score again in the third when Sanders found Luis Garcia Jr. on a short crossing route, then saw him navigate 61 yards to the end zone for a 28-19 advantage.
Marlboro’s Mitch Celaj (#8) celebrates with Graham Asum (#5) after catching a touchdown pass. (Photo courtesy of Nikki Gray)
The Shamrocks bounced back with a Rice to Mitch Celaj 15 yard pass cutting the lead to 28-26. The Bandits extended their league in the fourth quarter when Sanders completed his 4th touchdown pass find William on a 27 yard score. The PAT failed leaving the Shamrocks within one score at 34-26. The Shamrocks drove the field and Celaj ran in a 3yard score, then Rice completed the comeback on a 2point run evening the score at 34-34 with 1:20 left. The Bandits effectively navigated the field as Sanders completed a couple of passes to Nate Chartrand. A 27 yard FG with :04 left in the clock was blocked.
The Shamrocks won the OT coin flip but failed to score. After three punts, the Bandits engineered a drive into the Shamrock red zone. Sanders sent the home crowd sad when he found Bernard Davis down the sideline with under 2 minutes left in the OT for a 20 yard walk off win 40-34.
Boston’s Teshaun Watson carries the ball during their game with Marlboro.
(Photo courtesy of Nikki Gray)
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