CJFL: Braves unable to play spoiler

“We gave up too many points as Ottawa put the ball in the air and they made too many big plays. The front seven shut down the run and applied good pressure but the secondary came up flat.” said head coach Mike Samples. “Our defense finished hard but it was too little, too late. Mack (Blewett, Braves quarterback) had the offense moving well but we were not able to score the number of points that Ottawa generated.”

The Sooners came out strong scoring a safety on the opening kick-off, again on their first possession and again on their second with a Riley Bains pick six. Just four minutes into the game, the score was 15-0.

The Braves adjusted and got into field goal range on their next two possessions however Dustin DeGeorgis wasn’t able to make good on the 32 nor the 27 yard attempts. The Braves got on the board with a forced fumble by David Shuta early in the second quarter. A 46-yard pass from Blewett to Cameron Freelen, set up the first Connor Anderson touchdown. The Sooners answered with another major on each of their next two possessions. With a failed hail Mary from Blewett at the buzzer to the half, the score was 29-7.

The Braves came out strong after the break with a second score by Anderson from the seve-yard line. Again the Sooners answered with two more touchdowns. The Braves scored with a 34-yard Blewett pass to Shaun Clarkson-Officer with nine minutes remaining. The two point conversion was not successful. A successful on-side kick was for naught, when the Sooners picked up an interception. Devon Miller replied with an interception and set up a third td for Anderson at the seven-minute mark. The Sooners were ready for a second on-side kick and they ran the clock moving the ball on the ground. The Braves were unable to convert on their last possession with two minutes left in the game.

Both quarterbacks displayed an amazing passing game, with Blewett completing 293 yards and Mills, 307. Anderson had 73 yards rushing and three receptions for another 24 yards in his hat trick game. DeGeorgis was perfect on his three convert kicks.

Brody Essery had five catches for 72 yards in addition to a fumble recovery.  Tyler Bistrovich had four completions for 37. Matt Kyle added 35 yards for three receptions. Cameron Freelen had a fumble recovery as well. Steve Connery had six tackles, Ian Marouf added five more and Richard Beckstead four.
The road game completes the Braves season as they will watch the play offs from the side lines. The season started with great hopes after two wins, notably the upset season opener against the defending OFC champion Hurricanes.  The team wishes to thank fans, sponsors and donors from the community for their support in the 2012 season.