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La. Patriots fall in championship, 16-14
The Louisiana Patriots were tripped up just short of a second consecutive TULFA Superbowl title over the weekend with a 16-14 loss to the Houston Cardinals. Pearland High School stadium known as "The Rig" played host to the game. Things would not fall the Patriots way this time against Houston as the Winnsboro club had difficulty progressing the ball from the very beginning.
The Patriots won the coin toss and elected to receive the kickoff to begin the championship contest. After a three-and-out the Patriots were forced to punt from inside their own 15 yard-line. A poor snap would cost the Patriots a safety and the Cardinals quickly grabbed a 2-0 advantage.
The Patriots offense then seemed to rebound as they drove deep into Houston territory on their next possession.
The turnover bug would soon bite the Patriots for the first of many times during the first half following a Patriot fumble.
Three straight Patriot possessions ended in turnovers after getting inside the 20-yard line.
The Cardinals took advantage of the Patriot miscues and scored on a short pass between two Patriot defenders. The PAT kick was successful to give the Cardinals a 9-0 lead that they were able to sustain going into halftime.
The opening drive of the second half by Houston again exploited holes in the Patriot defense as Houston quarterback Johnny Crocket again found a wide open receiver for a 16-0 Houston advantage.
Former Franklin Parish High standout Tony Shaw finally got the Patriot offense on track during the ensuing possession as he dashed 32-yards for the local team's first score of the game. With the defecit down to 16-6, the Patriot two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Shaw was the star of the contest for the Patriots and scored again on the next Louisiana possession and totaled 91 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries in the game.
In the final quarter of the 2010 season, the Patriots used a 32-yard pass from Russell Williams to Cotton Compton to get deep into Houston territory and have a good chance at taking the lead.
The Houston defense would soon tighten up and force a turnover on downs to keep their narrow lead. With just over a minute remaining in the game. The Patriots appeared to be on their way to winning the contest when Williams connected with Cotton on a pass over the middle, but as Cotton reached midfield, the Houston defense stripped the ball away and was able to take a knee to secure their first TULFA championship.
Williams was 3-of-9 for 43 yards passing and also added 45 yards rushing on seven carries during the contest.
The Patriots (9-2) were regular season champions in the league again this year and as such have been invited to play in the Championship Bowl to be played in Homestead, Fla. in January. |
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