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Devils' Quest for "A" National Title Falls Just Short
2007 USFTL Nationals - "A" Bracket
Poog Williams (left) looks to elude a DC Jets defender.

In the opening round the Devils were once again matched up with All-Stars/Redzone (Cleveland, OH), which is a combination of the two teams that the Devils have played numerous times over the past few season. The Devils scored first and Jake Stewart added the extra point to make the score 8-0. The score would stay that way much of the game until Devils' quarterback AJ Saul's pass was tipped, intercepted and returned for a touchdown. The extra point failed, which proved to be the difference in an 8-6 victory for the Devils.

The Devils would the meet up with another familiar opponent in the next round as they were matched up the Raiders (Columbus, OH), who are the defending national champions. Defensive captain Elliott Giles made some key adjustments against the Raiders spread offense which proved to be very successful throughout the game. The Devils scored first and Stewart added the extra point to go ahead 8-0, but the Raiders would answer quickly as they scored a long TD on a blown coverage on 4th and long. The extra point was no good and the Devils kept a close 8-6 lead. After several defensive stops by the Devils, the Raiders got the ball back late in the game looking to take the lead, but Seth Steiner intercepted a pitch by one of the Raiders receivers and the Devils offense was able to run out the clock and seal the victory.

The Devils road to the championship was filled with familiar foes as they met up with the DC Jets (Washington, DC) in the winners-bracket final four. On the Devils first posession, Saul connected with TJ Parker on a long completion that put the Devils inside the Jets 10 yard line. After three straight incompletions, the Saul chose to go for it instead of kicking the field goal. His decision paid off as he connected with Steiner for the score. Stewart's extra point was blocked to make the score 6-0. The Jets responded quickly as they were able to get the ball deep inside Devils territory in one play. The Devils defense stood strong, but couldn't hold as the Jets were able to punch it in for the score and take an 8-6 lead. The Devils were able to respond as Saul connected with Craig Villwock in the open field, who then made a great play as he pitched the ball to Hagerty who raced down the sidelines for a long score. Hagerty made another huge play in the Jets next drive as he intercepted a pass in the back of the endzone to seal the victory as the Devils moved in with a 17-14 win.

The winners-bracket championship game proved to be a battle of defenses as both teams were able to come up with several key stops. After Dominion's (Upper Marlboro, MD) offense was forced to punt after three plays, the Devils offense quickly drove the ball down the field on their opening posession and inside Dominion's five yard line, but were unable to put any points on the board. Late in the second half Dominion was able to put a long drive together and get inside the Devils five yard line, but Giles came up with key interception and returned it down the sidelines into Dominion territory. The Devils offense was once again unable to put a drive together as Dominion's defensive line was putting constant pressure on Saul. Dominion got the ball back with under two minutes left in the game and began putting together a nice drive. They were able to get inside the Devils five yard line once again, but could not punch it in for a score before time expired as regulation ended in a 0-0 tie. Dominion scored first in overtime to take an 8-0 lead, but the Devils offense quickly answered as Saul connected with Parker for the score. Stewart added the PAT to tie the score at 8 and force a second overtime. Dominion's defense stepped up when it mattered most as they held the Devils on three consecutive plays and forced a field goal attempt. Stewart's kick was wide-left and Dominion's offense took the field and was able to punch it in for the score to knock the Devils into the losers bracket by the score of 14-8.

The Devils would now have to defeat Sudden Impact and then double-dip Dominion twice. Due to an injury to OL Chris Villwock in the Dominion game, the Devils were forced to switch to a spread offense against Sudden Impact. The switch proved to be a good choice as the Devils drove right down the field on their opening drive as Saul connected with Hagerty down the sidelines for the first score of the game. Stewart's extra point was blocked to make the score 6-0. That would end up being the Devils only score of the game as Sudden Impact was able to muster up two scoring drives in a 15-6 victory, eliminating the Devils from the tournament and ending their title hopes.

Two members of the Blue Devils were named to the All-American team, WR Jason hagerty and DB Poog Williams.

Next up for the Devils will be the Youngstown Flag Football Association's 4man and 8man Spring League's beginning April 12-13.

Photos from the tournament can be viewed in our team photo album.

 

 


 

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