Whoosier Daddy knocked off previously undefeated LA Purchase 12-0 in the second game of second round intramural flag football action on Tuesday to advance to the championship game today (Thursday).
It will face U.S.D.A. a 14-13 winner over Deuce’s Wild in the first game and the only team to beat Whoosier Daddy this season.
The championship game will be played on the field next to family housing at 4 p.m.
Whoosier Daddy vs. LA Purchase
After holding each other scoreless in the first half, Whoosier Daddy received the ball to begin the second half and went right to work.
Three plays into its drive quarterback Justin Ford, health and physical education junior from Thibodaux, connected with Dustin Johnson, nursing senior from Houma, for a 38-yard pass to set up a first and goal situation in LA Purchase territory.
On first down, Whoosier Daddy team captain Wally Sanchez, health and physical education sophomore from Thibodaux, pitched the ball to Bryan Blank, business administration sophomore from Thibodaux, just as Sanchez was about to have his flag pulled and Blank took the ball in for the score and a 6-0 Whoosier Daddy lead with 13 minutes to play in the game.
After stopping a Whoosier Daddy drive deep in its own territory, LA Purchase received the ball with 1:39 remaining in the game and started a drive down the field. Behind the passing of quarterback Ken Roark, business administration junior from Metairie, LA Purchase was able to move the ball into Whoosier Daddy territory.
Whoosier Daddy was able to thwart the drive as Johnson intercepted a Roark pass and returned it for a touchdown as time expired for the 12-0 final.
“We played them like every other game,” Sanchez said. “We didn’t do anything different. We just made the plays we were supposed to make.”
Sanchez said U.S.D.A. will be a challenge, but he feels if his team shows up to play, it can come out on top.
U.S.D.A. vs. Deuce’s Wild
In earlier action both teams held each other scoreless in the first half before Deuce’s Wild went on a scoring drive to begin the second half.
Quarterback Navarro Bailey, computer science senior from Baton Rouge, scored on a five-yard touchdown run and completed an extra point pass to Donald Williams, sophomore from Thibodaux, for a 7-0 Deuce’s Wild lead in the 14th minute.
Following the touchdown, U.S.D.A. moved the ball to midfield. After U.S.D.A. team captain and quarterback Ernest Harvey Jr., freshman from Thibodaux, completed a five-yard pass to Keith Hayes Jr., freshman from Garyville, Deuce’s Wild defender Gil George, nursing sophomore from Harvey, deflected Harvey’s next pass as Harvey was attempting to throw and George caught the ball for an interception, which drew mixed emotions from both teams.
On the first play following the interception, Bailey completed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Williams for a 13-0 Deuce’s Wild lead with 18:11 left in the game.
Behind the running and passing of Harvey, U.S.D.A. was able to drive down the field. U.S.D.A. scored its first touchdown on a 10-yard pass from Harvey to Cornell Cornish, allied health sports science senior from LaPlace. The extra point was good cutting the Deuce’s Wild lead to 13-7 with 6:20 remaining in the game.
After forcing Deuce’s Wild to punt on its next possession, U.S.D.A. went on a scoring drive that ended in a five-yard pass from Harvey to Hayes. Harvey completed a pass to Hayes for the two-point conversion and a 14-13 U.S.D.A lead with 1:47 remaining in the game.
On the drive following the touchdown, Bailey’s pass was intercepted by Harvey, who returned the ball past the line of scrimmage. U.S.D.A. was then able to run the clock out and secure the victory.
Harvey said it’s a great feeling to get to championship.
“I always thought we were going to get there,” Harvey said. “I underestimated Deuce’s Wild. They played good. It’ll be good to play in the championship and get a nice victory.”
Williams said he had a good time playing with his team
“Without my team, we couldn’t get here,” Williams said. We scored early. We tried to hold on, and we just lost it at the end. I believe everyone out here gave 100 percent and that’s what I ask of my team.”
Deuce’s Wild reached the second round of the playoffs by beating Desert Storm 13-0 on Monday afternoon while Whoosier Daddy edged Leaky Hosepipes 19-18 in other first round action Monday.