FINAL: Olney Bears (MD) 19, Norfolk Nighthawks (VA) 13

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bears claw past Nighthawks

In the Jr. Midget Division the Olney Bears and the Norfolk Nighthawks fought until the end in a great battle unfortunately, both teams could not win. The Olney Bears beat the Norfolk Nighthawks by the score of 19-13.

The game was very close, Head coach of the Bears, Steve Norcio said, “The game came down to just a couple of plays.” The Bears were winning 6-0 until the end of the second quarter. The Bears were in the middle of a very good drive when the Nighthawk defense forced a turnover.

This was the Nighthawks chance to get on the board before the end of the half. It was 2 nd and 8 when their quarter back went to throw with less than a minute on the clock. His pass was intercepted and the Bears defense ran for a touchdown with 7.8 seconds remaining in the half. The Bears converted in the PAT and going into the half the score was 13-0. Norcio believed that this interception was the turning point in the game.

It went back and forth in the third quarter but no points were scored. At the end of the third quarter the Nighthawks started a drive that would continue into the fourth. At 8:43 the nighthawks got on the board. On 4 th and goal from the two yard line the Nighthawks pushed through the Bears defense for 6 points. The Nighthawks connected for the PAT and the score was not 13-7.

It seemed as if the Nighthawks were going to come back. When the bears got the ball back the Nighthawks defense forced them to punt the ball from their own 36. There was 6:23 seconds left in the game and the Nighthawks were on the 49 yard line on their way to another touchdown. On 3 rd down and 5 the Bears forced a fumble. The Bear's offense came back on the field to put the Nighthawks away. They made their way down the field with three consecutive rushing plays and ended with a beautiful touchdown pass and catch. Their PAT attempt was not successful and the score was now 19-6.

The Nighthawks got the ball back with 1:52 seconds needing 13 points. The Nighthawks moved down the field quickly with two great passing plays and scored on a 30 yard pass into the end zone.

There was 1:23 seconds left when the Nighthawks tried for an on side kick. They failed to recover the kick and the Bears only had to run out the clock which they did successfully. Head Coach Norcio only had great things to say about the Nighthawks, “Their defense was very well disciplined and they also had a great coaching staff.”

Congratulations to both teams for playing so hard until the end. The Olney Bears will play in the championship on Saturday at 1 and the Norfolk Nighthawks will play in the consolation game also on Saturday.