(Almost) Slaying Giants

In a back and forth thriller, we battled the league leading Bolzano Giants to the finish today - falling just short 49-42.  It was a great effort by both teams, and I am incredible proud of the way we fought.

The day began promising, with a TD on our first drive (pass to Gregorio Barbagallo) and an onside kick recovery on the ensuing kickoff.  We immediately drove down again, this time Claudio Mangano hauling in a 12 yard TD pass for a 14-0 lead.

Then their great tailback, Reggie Green, went to work.  I was incredibly impressed with him, as he sliced around any would be tacklers on his way to three consecutive TD runs.

But we had a hero of our own - courageous Matt Epperson, who took the field still recovering from a broken rib but DETERMINED to make some plays.  He caught a curl route on the next drive, made 3 defenders miss, and went 65 yards for a TD.  Just moments later, with only 9 seconds left in the half and the ball on their 35 yard line, I scrambled and found Matt in the back corner of the endzone where he made a leaping catch over two defenders for a 28-19 halftime lead.  It was a brilliant play and truly showed his courage.

In the second half, Bolzano played tough - scoring on their first 3 possessions and stopping us twice to take control of the game.  We kept fighting, scoring twice ourselves to cut the lead to 42-35 and later 49-42, but eventually ran out of time.

It was an emotional end to an amazing regular season - and whether or not we make the playoffs (we will find out in the next two weeks depending on the results from other games) - I am extremely proud of my teammates and what we were able to accomplish together.  

I would also like to congratulate and say "THANK YOU" to the the entire IFL for 10 amazing games.  Players from all the other teams were great to play against - I never imagined that it would be such high scoring, competitive shootouts each week.  Furthermore, for what "American Football" lacks in public recognition within the country - the people who play & coach this game here more than make up for it with their own enthusiasm and passion.  Or as we say here, "BRAVO!"

~ J. Twice