MILITIA TEAM EFFORT STOPS THE PANTHERS

DANBURY, CT – The Western CT Militia scored on defense, special teams, and on offense on their way to an exciting 47-41 victory over the then undefeated CT Panthers.

&ldquot;We knew if we persevered we would win this one in the end&rdquot; said Coach Lonnie Young in reference to his team. On the second play from scrimmage for the Panthers, quarterback Richie Snowden found Akwan Shabazz for a 40 yard touchdown pass that silenced the crowd but expected by the Militia coach. &ldquot;We knew they were a big play team; we just needed to give them less opportunity to make plays like that.&rdquot; After trading possessions, Rakin Taft fielded a short punt and headed up field. As the Panthers defense converged on him, he pitched the ball back to the speedy Garry Coles who sprinted 47 yards for a Militia score. The extra point put the Militia up for the balance of the game.

The rest of the game saw both teams take the others best shots. Andy Benzicewicz hit a 38 yard and an amazing 52 yard field goal to give the Militia a commanding 20-6 lead with less than a minute left in the half. In the last play before halftime, Snowden's short pass to Shante Wynn turned into an amazing dance through the Militia defense and into the end zone for a 30 yard score before the buzzer.

The third quarter saw 27 combined points scored and the game's momentum go back and forth between both teams. &ldquot;Both quarterbacks really hit their groove&rdquot; said NEFL representative Bernie Armstrong, &ldquot;this was the type of game we hoped it would be when the season schedules came out months ago.&rdquot; A well timed pass in the corner of the end zone from quarterback Kevin Oberg to Coles put the Militia up by three touchdowns with seven minutes to play in regulation. Hit after a 25 yard run, an injured Snowden had to leave the game and was replace by Jamie Bryant. Called on the play quarterback last season, Bryant let the Panthers past the Militia in last season's NEFL semi-finals. Bryant proceeded to run in a score and with less than 40 seconds in regulation he found Naciki Reid for a in the end zone for an impressive pass and catch.

A failed on side kick returned the ball to the Militia where they ran the clock out for their biggest victory in their brief franchise history. &ldquot;This means a lot to us and the city if you ask me&rdquot; said owner Carl Oberg, &ldquot;this shows us that we can win a big game; however we do know that we could possibly see each other again this season in the playoffs.&rdquot; The win gives the Militia a 3-1 regular season record while the loss gave the Panthers (3-1) their first defeat of the season.

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BOXSCORE

CONNECTICUT PANTHERS

Western CT Militia

TOTAL OFFENSE

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