by Gary Lee

Missed tackles and injured players contributed to MaranathaMinutemen loss to the San Dimas Saints last week. Darien McGee took the opening kickoff intothe Saints territory. With great fieldposition to start the game, it seemed inevitable the Minutemen would soonscore. But fate had other plans and itwas 3 and out for Maranatha’s first drive. The Saints wasted no time and answered quickly, scoring on their firstpossession. In fact, the Saints scored 4touchdowns in the first quarter. TheSaints’ defense was able to stifle the Minutemen, forcing them to punt after 3plays and leaving them without a first down in the first quarter.

The second quarter was no different than the first, w/ theSaints scoring at will. The Minutemenhad no answers offensively or defensively. The Saints went into the locker room at halftime with a lead of 42 to0.

The start of the third quarter saw the Saints punter for thefirst time. The Minutemen stopped theSaints on their first drive. AndrewElffers directed the Minutemen’s first score w/ a pass to RJ Straker. Could this be the drive to kick-start theMinutemen? The ensuing onside kick wassuccessful; Maranatha marched down the field into scoring position. But fate intervened and the Saintsintercepted the ball at the 2-yard line. The very next play, the Saints ran up the middle for a 98 yardscore. The door of opportunity wasslammed closed and the Saints’ players, coaches and fans could begin tocelebrate.

The Minutemen closed the game w/ a touchdown on the finalplay from Elffers to Straker. The finalscore, 56 to 20. The Minutemen should becommended for their success in their first season in the Olympic League and TheMid-Valley (XI) Division. Last season,the Minutemen played in the East-Valley (XII) Division. They were the Alpha League Champions and madeit to the second round of the playoffs. Congratulations Minutemen! TheSaints move on face Monrovia at home next Friday.

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