FINAL: Dale City Cowboys (VA) 28, Goulds Rams (FL) 22

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Cowboys Seek back-to-back National Midget Championships

The returning Champion Dale City Cowboys will be making another appearance in the Championship game after an overtime victory against the Goulds Rams in the semi-final game of the Midget League Championships.

The Goulds Rams made the first scoring strike in the game. A 30 yard run by the Rams put the offense on the 10 yard line. Two plays later, #4 scored on a run. The Rams converted on the 2 point PAT and went up over the Cowboys 8-0.

The Cowboys answered back in the first quarter when a long pass set up a 10 yard run for a score. The Cowboys extra point was no good, putting the score at 8-6. The Cowboys continued their scoring drive into the second quarter.

With 4 minutes left in the half, #7 from the Cowboys launched a 27 yard pass to #6 in the end zone. The Cowboys were able to complete the extra point, taking the score to 14-8. As the clock in the first half ticked to zero, the Rams went into halftime trailing for the first time all season.

The intensity and energy from the first half carried over to the third quarter with both teams battling for a spot in the Championship game. During a third quarter drive, the Cowboys fumbled the ball in their own territory. After the Rams scrambled for the ball, it was knocked loose and recovered by Dale City at their 8 yard line.

The Cowboys offense was revitalized late in the third quarter on a 77 yard play. From the shot gun position, the quarterback found #2 deep down field to add six points to their lead. Another complete PAT put the Cowboys up 22-8 going into the final quarter.

As an answer to the Cowboys' score, the Rams were determined to make some plays with their offense. The Rams defense set up an opportunity by forcing a fumble on the Cowboys 34 yard line. The Rams' quarterback completed a pass to #7 who made a move to the end zone but stepped out of bounds at the 4 yard line. With 7:08 left in the game, the Rams's quarterback faked the hand off and rolled to the left on a keeper for the score. The Rams two point PAT was good and brought them within one score of the Cowboys.

As the Cowboys appeared to have the game under control with just under 2 minutes on the clock, the Rams showed their determination by picking up a fumble and running the ball to the Cowboys 40 yard line. The Rams used several unusual formations in an attempt to catch the Cowboys off guard. After the offense returned to a more typical formation, the Rams were forced to make a big play. The quarterback dropped back and found #7 just in front of the end zone and he was able to turn and run in for the score. The kicker came on the field with the score tied at 22-22 and 24 seconds left on the clock. The defensive block from the Cowboys made the thought of overtime inevitable as regulation time came to an end.

The Cowboys were on offense first to start off the overtime. After a jittery first play, the Cowboys regained their composure and showed their desire to win as the quarterback completed a pass to the wide receiver #8 in the left side of the end zone. The Cowboys chance to go up by 8 points was denied as the kick missed just wide left.

With the Cowboys up 28-22, the Rams took the field for their chance to even the score. The Rams stuck to the running game, making progress on a sweep play but the Cowboys tackled them on the 4. The Rams gained another two and half yards on the next two plays bringing up 4 th and about a foot as the Rams chance for the Championship game came down to one final play. The Rams handed the ball off attempting to run up the middle, but the Cowboys defense held strong and left the Rams with no where to go. As the whistles blew the ball dead and referees signaled no score, the field was flooded with Cowboys' players and fans in celebration.

Despite the disappointing loss, the Goulds Rams fourth quarter efforts to force overtime brought about the best game of the tournament so far. The Rams are congratulated in their efforts in getting this far in their season but unfortunately they met their match against the Cowboys.

The Cowboys sideline celebrated its victory with the traditional Gatorade dump on Coach Tony Keiling. Coach Keiling emphasized the teams' mentality to “win the game at the line of scrimmage.” Today's goal line stop proved the importance of putting pressure on the line. Although the Cowboys are defending champions, they came into this year's championship with 14 new players. With Coach Keiling instilling the idea that no player is bigger than the team, the Cowboys have come together and put this new squad in a prime position to bring another championship back to Dale City . The Cowboys will take the field for the finals of the Midget League Championships against the White Oak Warriors on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.