FINAL: White Oak Warriors (MD) 22, Cedar Crest Comets (TX) 0

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

Warriors Fight past Comets into Finals

As the temperature rose on Wednesday afternoon, the White Oak Warriors kept their cool and came away with a victory over the Cedar Crest Comets in the semi-final game of the Midget League Championships.

Both teams started off slow on offense, but the defense held strong as neither team could find the end zone in the first quarter. Midway through the second quarter the Warriors moved in on their opponents looking to score. A strong series on offense set up a first and goal from the Comets five yard line. On the next play #5 took the handoff from the quarterback and took the ball five yards for the score. The Warriors kick for the 2 point PAT was good putting them on the score board 8-0.

The Warriors continued their strike as the Comets quarterback's attempt to find his receiver down field was picked off by the Warriors' #20 at the 38 yard line. The very next play the quarterback stepped back to pass and found #38 down field close to the sideline. After out-juking two defenders the receiver gave himself a clear path to another Warrior score. This time the kick for PAT was no good as it bounced off the cross bar and came back into the field of play. The two quick scores by the Warriors made the score 14-0 with less than two minutes left in the half.

The Comets, determined to get a score before half time, had those hopes dashed as the Warriors came up with another interception before the end of the half.

The second half began as the first with strong defensive efforts on both ends of the field. The Comets pressure on the Warriors caused a fumble in the third quarter but they were unable to capitalize and were forced to punt. Both teams were unable to score throughout the third quarter.

With only a quarter left in the game, the Comets needed two scores to catch-up to the Warriors. This feat was made even more difficult when the Warriors went on another forceful drive late in the fourth. A slant pass to #1 looked like a potential score until the defender forced him out at the 28 yard line. A powerful run up the middle gave the Warriors another first down. The Comets were called for unsportsmanlike conduct which put the Warriors on the five yard line at First and goal. On the next play the quarterback made the handoff to #20 as he made a move off the right tackle and found a clear path to the end zone. This PAT kick was a bit high but it had enough to put the Warriors up 22-0 with 2:11 left in the game.

Michael Wills head coach for the White Oak Warriors said his team was definitely not lacking motivation today. Knowing that a win gives them the opportunity to be on ESPN is all the motivation they needed. As far as looking forward to the Championship game, Coach Wills says they need to “nullify their mistakes” and “keep the ball off the ground” as the Warriors had 4 fumbles in today's game.

Congratulations to both teams in this hard fought and heated battle in the semi-finals. The White Oak Warriors will in the Midget League Championship game on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.