FINAL: Norfolk Saints (VA) 25, Columbus Hurricanes (OH) 8

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Saints Smoke 'Canes

The multi-strike Norfolk Saints used a combination of slick passing, slashing runs and a ball-hawking defense to stop the Columbus Hurricanes today 25-8 in Jr. Pee Wee Division I action at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Late in the first quarter with the score Norfolk 6- Columbus 0, the Saints pushed the ball deep into Hurricane's territory. From the 'Canes 14 yard line, the Saints lined up in a shotgun formation. The Saints quarterback kept the ball and rolled all the way to the 'Canes 2 yard line. With 32 seconds left in the half and goal to go, the Saints quarterback kept the ball again and punched it over for Norfolk's second touchdown.

The PAT kick was wide left and the Saints led at the half 12-0.

But Columbus wasn't about to give up. Early in the third quarter, they rallied for a touchdown of their own. With the two point PAT good, Columbus closed the gap to Saints 12-'Canes 8.

Then, with 4:47 to go in the 3 rd quarter, and Columbus driving, the Saints free safety picked off a 'Canes pass at their own 40 yard line and took it to the house, racing forty yards for the score. The Saints were penalized for an illegal formation on the PAT. But, on a second try the Saints completed a pass in the right hand corner of the end. The score at the end of the third quarter stood Norfolk 19-Columbus 8.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Saints. Time and again, Hurricane ball carriers were slammed for losses by the hard-charging Norfolk defense. Then, with 3:00 to go in the game, and a 3rd and 3 on the 'Canes 33, the Saints quarterback busted a run all the way to the Columbus six yard line. On second and goal to go, the Saints tailback raced through an open hole in the 'Canes line and cruised into the end zone to make it Saints 25 and Hurricanes 0.

The Hurricanes never gave up, but today belonged to the Saints. With only seconds remaining in the game, Norfolk pulled off their third interception of a Hurricanes pass for the day, and the victory was sealed.

"All year we've played a team game, offense and defense" said Saints Head Coach Jonathan Wilson, "and today was typical of Norfolk Saints football. We have 32 kids who play as 'starters'. Everybody works together and we succeed." When asked what the opportunistic Saints did to pick off three 'Canes passes, as well as contain Columbus's vaunted running game, Coach Wilson told us " We adjusted to the counter plays they were running with their tailback. He was their top player, so we followed him in passing situations to whichever side he lined up"