Militia Knock Off the Champs

Kevin Oberg gets upended by a Panther defender                                          

DANBURY, CT- For the second straight year, the Western Connecticut Militia knock off the defending National Champion Connecticut Panthers in their NEFL season opener.

“There are a few things you can count on” said NEFL representative Bernie Armstrong, “one thing is that the Militia-Panthers game will be a good one.” Saturday was no different. Western Connecticut took an early 14-0 lead behind the heroics of quarterback Kevin Oberg. Going 3 for 4 in the opening drive, Oberg found receiver Edwin Heath in the back of the end zone for the first score of the season. On his second possession, Oberg finished a 55-yard drive with his own 4 yard scoring plunge which sent the capacity crowd to hysterics. “We’ve been waiting a long time to get back on the field against the Panthers” said Oberg, “we know how important it is to get a good start against them.”

The veteran- heavy Panthers weathered the storm and used a safety and a 5 yard scoring run by Jamie Bryant to get back into the game. Heading into the half down by only 5 points and the ball to start the third quarter, the Panthers felt the game’s momentum had shifted to their sidelines.

The Panthers took their first possession of the second half down to the 1 yard line. However, a mishandled snap
and some timely defense by the Militia front-line made the Panthers have to settle for a field goal by former Militia kicker Andy Benzicewicz. After a change of possession, Snowden found an open Kevin Wolfork out of the back field which gave the Panthers an 18-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

In the final period, play caller Reis Lane combined an intermediate passing game with runs by Lionel Assie and Aaron Taylor to get the Militia in scoring possession. A 13-yard back shoulder completion to Kreston Harrison converted a key third and long situation which placed the ball on the 6 yard line. The next play saw Assie take a handoff through the goal line giving Western Connecticut a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“It was a great win for us but we know it’s just week one” said Oberg, “we can celebrate but know that it means nothing if we don’t get ourselves ready to play the Hartford Colts next week”.

BOXSCORE

CONNECTICUT PANTHERS

Western Connecticut Militia

TOTAL OFFENSE

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