Game of the Week (1) Recap

MERIDEN, CT- Down by 12 points in the fourth quarter, the Western CT Militia mounts an incredible comeback to defeat the defending champion Connecticut Panthers 19-18.

“We always get up to play against these guys” said Kevin Oberg, “how can you not with our history”. The Militia have had the top record in the Southern Division the last two season’s only to be knocked out of the playoffs by the Panthers on their own turf.

The match up started poorly for the Militia as Panthers quarterback Rich Snowden found Akwon Shabazz for a 53-yard scoring connection the first series of the game. A stout defense by both units limited offensive production throughout the remainder of the half as the teams went into intermission with the Panthers holding on to a 6-0 lead.

The second half saw the Militia make the nessacary adjustments to the blocking scheme to allow Oberg time to get the ball to his top receivers. “They have the best defensive ends in the game” said Oberg, “we had to figure out a way to slow them down”. In their second possession of the third quarter, Oberg found a streaking Dwight Franklin for a 15 yard score. A failed extra point tied the game and game momentum to the Militia for a brief period.

The end of the third quarter and start of the fourth saw Snowden take over the game with two amazing touchdown passes. A 41 yard heave to Shabazz was only trumped by his spinning out of the grasps of 275 pound Jasper Ramsey and finding a wide open Vinny Muli on the opposite side of the field for a stunning 27 yard strike and an 18-6 lead. “That looked like the Rich Snowden from a few years ago; he’s probably the only man in the league that could make that play”.

Down two scores, the Militia turned their offense over to Oberg and receivers Jason Davis and Franklin. Converting two separate 4th down conversions, a well-played ball to Franklin set the Militia up on the one yard line. A short plunge by Lionel Assie cut the Panthers lead to six with less than five minutes to play. Militia defenders Anthony Aponte and Ramsey turned up their intensity by preventing the Panthers from earning a first down and bringing on the punt team.

In their final possession Oberg hit Davis on a 29 yard jump-ball that he pulled away from 6’3 safety Sir Snowden. Later in the drive Davis pulled in a clutch 4th down catch to keep the drive and the comeback alive. A roughing the passer penalty placed the Militia offense on the 9 yard line with 22 seconds to play in regulation. Rolling right, Oberg saw a defender turn their back to him and he sprinted towards the goaline. Fully extended from the two yard line, Oberg broke the plane of the end zone for the biggest come from behind victory in his team’s history. “I didn’t run for most of the night but with the game on the line I’ll do whatever it takes for the win”.

The victory ties the overall series between these two teams at 2-2. “It’s a great win for us however their two wins came in the playoffs; that’s where it truly matters” said Militia head coach Lonnie Young.

 
GAME SITE: Falcon Field, Meriden, Connecticut
6pm KICKOFF
Attendance: 283

Game MVP-QB Kevin Oberg: 15/26 185 yards, TD, 17 yards rushing, TD. Scored winning touchdown with 22 seconds to play.