CROWN THEM!

MILITIA TAKE NEFL AAA CROWN WITH DRAMATIC 24-21 VICTORY

 

     The Western Connecticut Militia have reached the top of the NEFL.  They did what they have been oh so close to accomplishing since 2011, and that is to be champions of the NEFL.  It would not be easy, but they were up to the challenge.  Even when things looked bleak facing a 21-3 halftime deficit, the managed to score 21 unanswered points in the second half to defeat the Rhode Island Wardogs 24-21.  Lionel Assie Was named the games MVP as he led the Militia offense and ground attack.  His runs mixed with Aaron Taylor and Kevin Woolfolk paced the offense in the second half. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Kenneth Charter (21) runs around left end for the game winning score.

         

     The Wardogs would receive the opening kickoff, and after a facemask penalty tacked on 15 more yards to the return they started at their 46 yard line.  Wardogs QB Jeff Costa showed why he was a MVP candidate driving the Wardogs 56 yard for the games first score.  His 21 yard TD pass gave the Wardogs an early 7-0 lead.  The Militia offense was slow coming out the gate going three and out to start.  The defense forced a punt and the offense would get another chance.  The offense would get something going and get across midfield but unfortunately the drive stalled just inside the Wardogs 45 yard line.  The Militia defense tightened and would not allow another point.  FS Eric Ford would intercept a Costa pass over the middle and return it to midfield.  The offense would strike back as RB Kevin Woolfolk would help get things going with some nice runs. On a big 3rd down and 11 inside Wardog territory Kevin Oberg would get sacked to force another punt.  After another defensive stop the Running game found more room.  Lionel Assie would have consecutive runs of 18 and 14 yards for two straight first downs.  A holding penalty knocked the Militia out of the redzone.  Kicker Luigi Liovvi would get the Militia on the board with a 43 yard field goal.  The Militia trailed 7-3 with 5:01 left in the 2nd quarter.  Another stout defensive series got the Militia the ball back with under 4 mins left in the 1st half.  Here is when things started to slip away.  Facing a 3rd down and 7 Oberg would drop back to pass.  His pass attempt to the left would be tipped at the line and intercepted.  The offense gave shase to no avail as the Wardogs expanded their lead 14-3.  The offense would try and make up for it as they too over with just over two minutes left in the half.  Oberg would engineer another long drive to the red zone.  With passes to Lionel Assie, Dymetric Maisonet and runs by Kevin Woolfolk the Militia made it to the 21 yard line.  After a false start penalty , Oberg's pass to Jovan Wilkens was intercepted at the 15 yard line and returned for another TD.  The Militia would trail 21-3 going into the half.  A promising first half turned into a nightmare in the final 4 minutes.

RB Lional Assie (22) earned the MVP Award with his steller rushing performance.

 

     After the intermission the Militia got the ball and the offense showed signs of life.  Unfortunately it wouldn't end in points after the Militia crossed midfield and the punting unit came on.  The defense stood up again.  Jovan Wilkins would make the big interception deep in Wardog territory setting the Militia up with the ball just outside the redzone.  Lionel Assie pounded the ball inside the 5 yard line.  Aaron Taylor would punch it in from 3 yards out to cut the lead to 21-10.  The Wardogs would counter with a nice drive but would not find the endzone.  They would settle for a field goal attempt from 47 yards out, but the kicks would not stay inside the uprights and the Militia took over with great field position.  The Militia offense behind strong running and timely passes found itself in the redzone again.  Faced with 4th and goal from the two yard line the Wardogs would stuff Taylor for no gain.  The Militia defense would force a punt again and the offense would have great field position on the Wardogs side of the field.  With 8 minutes left the Militia needed points on this drive.  Lionel Assie immediately tear off a 16 yard run.  Oberg would immediately hit Jovan Wilkens for a 18 yard TD.  The lead was down to 21-17 with 7:37 left in the 4th quarter. 

Jovan Wilkens (3) returns a punt in the Militia's 24-21 win.

 

     The Wardogs would look to put the Militia away and secure their first AAA title.  After picking up a first down they were faced with a 3rd and 7 from their own 33 yard line.  Costa threw to his right and CB Andrew Pratt would break on the ball and knock it down forcing a punt.  You could smell the excitement as the drama built all through the second half to this moment.  The Militia take over at their own 30 yard line with 4:58 left in the game.  Oberg on 3rd down would hit Kenneth Charter in the right flat for a big 1st down, but a penalty negated the play.  Now facing third and long, Oberg would throw again to Kenneth Charter up the left sideline.  Charter would make a leaping grab for the first down.  Two plays later the drive would continue as oberg threw a short pass to Wilkens campleted for a 5 yar gain.  A roughing the passer call added 15 more yards to the play.  Woolfolk would take the draw for 11 more yards and a 1st down.  Next play Oberg found Maisonet for 11 yards and another first down.  After a Woolfolk run for 5 yard and the two minute warning, Oberg would run for 3 yards setting up 3rd and short.  The Wardogs were flagged again for too many men in the huddle the next play.  This gave the Militia a first and goal with 1:44 remaining in the game.  With the ball on the 8 yard line Oberg would give the ball to a sweeping Charter and he would stride in the  corner of the endzone fo the touchdown.  With 1:38 remaining the Luigi Liovvi extra point gave the Militia their first lead 24-21.  QB Jeff Costa and the Wardogs were not done.  Costa completed big passes to get the Wardogs into Militia territory under a minute.  With 36 seconds left the Wardogs were in the redzone.  Three plays later the Wardogs sent their kicker out to attempt a game tying field goal.  Lined up on the right hash of the 25 yard line the kick would go up with plenty of distance, curve left and go wide left leaving the home crowd stunned.  The Militia sideline and crowd exploded as all that was left was one kneel down with 24 seconds and they would be 2016 NEFL AAA Champions.  Your final was Militia 24, Wardogs 21.  The celebration had begun.  The Leo Lombardi trophy that made it's way to Danbury for the 2015 title game, but the Boston Bandits pull off the upset of the Militia 28-19.  This year it bmakes the journey to Danbury to stay until the 2017 Championship as the Militia are 1026 NEFL AAA Champions.  The MVP of the game was RB Lionel Assie who had over 100 yards rushing. 

 

Captains Kevin Oberg (11), Lionel Assie (22), Charles Burney (99) and Brian Ostaszewski at midfield for the coin toss.