BACK TO THE DANCE!

MILITIA HOLD OFF BEARCATS FOR 21-18 WIN!

     The Militia will indeed return to the NEFL AAA Championship game.  The 2016 season has been about redemption.  For the Militia redemption has not come yet, but they are one step closer.  With the 21-18 victory over the Bearcats to clinch their second straight NEFL AAA South Division title the Militia are not satisfied.  This game had everything you can think of.  Action, drama and suspense.  At the end of the first quarter it looked like a runaway as the Militia jumped out to a 21-0 lead.  By halftime things were tighter as the Bearcats closed the gap 21-12.  Late in the 4th quarter the Militia were nursing a 21-18 lead.  It would be a Raquim Taft interception of Ritchie Snowden that would preserve the victory. 

     The game started with the Bearcats receiving the opening kickoff.  That would be the only normal thing to start the game.  Montrell Dobbs would take the kick and return it to the 20 yard line then the Militia special teams swarmed him.  The ball flew out of the crowd and Donte Clark fell on it at the 30 yard line giving the Militia the ball inside Bearcats territory.  The offense methodically moved the ball into the redzone.  Aaron Taylor would pound his way into the endzone for the 3 yard TD.  Andy Benicewicz would tack on the extra point and the Militia grabbed an early 7-0 lead.  The Militia defense has been stout the past few weeks.  They stood up again today.  Forcing a punt by the Bearcats to keep the momentum.  The offense struck again.  driving into the Redzone a second time.  This time Kevin Oberg would find Dymetric Maisonet for the 17 yard TD pass on a leaping grab at the front pylon.  The lead grew to 14-0.  The defense wasn't done.  A blitzing Raquim Taft would sack Snowden and Hakim Pearce would snatch it off the ground and return it for a TD.  Just like that the score was 21-0.  Another punt would be forced by the defense, and the Militia would have the ball back with a chance to expand the lead.  Instead we would have a turning point.  The offense would be forced into a 4th and inches inside their own 35 yar line.  The Militia went for it and were stopped.  Suddenly the momentum shifted.  The Bearcats would capitalize and find the endzone.  The lead was cut to 21-6.  The offense would try to get something going, but was forced to punt.  The Bearcats would finally hit a big play as Snowden found a receiver streaking to the post, breaking a tackle after a tough catch went into the endzone.  the lead was down to 21-12.  In the 3rd quarter the Militia offense would start the second half with the ball.  After gaining a first down the drive stalled.  The score would hold until late in the 3rd quarter.  Montrell Dobbs would take a toss left and find a crease and core on a 48 yard run.  The lead is now 21-18.  When some teams panic the Militia keep battling.  We went into the fourth and the teams traded punts.  As we hit the midway point of the fourth the defense held again. The offense would take possession with five minutes left.  Trying to close out the game they wer forced into a 3rd down and 7 in their own territory.  An undermentioned player made a huge play.  Kevin Woolfolk would break a big 26 yard run for not only a first down, but flipping field position.  Now the Militia could force the Bearcats to burn their timeouts.  A first down would seal the deal if they could get one.  The Bearcats were fighting for their season.  After using their last timeout, the Bearcats got the ball in their own 20.  The Bearcats broke a big play to midfield, but it was called back due to holding.  Snowden would complete a pass over the middle for a first down.  Then a familiar name would put the game away.  Tryin to test the middle of the field, Snowden would throw for a crossing pattern and Raquim Taft was there to intercept it.  The victory formation would send the Militia to their second straight championship game.