Its easy to buy into something on paper, we all make decisions at times that require a huge leap into blind faith. The New York Bandits proved something to themselves yesterday that games are won in all types of ways but believing in TEAM wins almost every time out. It took a true team effort as the Bandits faced the Brooklyn Seminoles in EFA semi-final action. The Noles looking to avenge a playoff lose to the Boys in Blue from the year before were focused and intense from the gate.

The stage would be set during the coin toss as the Noles won and elected to put their defense on the field first. The Bandits quickly responded and moved right down the field in front of a capacity crowd and put together a drive resulting in a few first downs. The Seminoles defense would not be done and secured its first TO of the game picking off a bad ball from Dion Young #5. “It wasn’t his best ball of the night, we had the look we wanted but it didn’t work out as planned”, said Coach Badson.

The Noles seemed pumped stopping an early drive that should have resulted in points, gave them new life. The Bandit defense took the field lead by captains Marquis Williams #28 and Mike Sanchez #23. The Noles on three straight plays couldn’t produce anything pinned deep in there territory and were forced to punt. The Punt snap flew clear over the Noles kickers head producing the games first points.

Noles 0 – Bandits 2

The free kick put the Bandits offense right back on the field and again they quickly moved down the field again behind the great runner of Damian Jones #34 and Blockafella productions.  The game would change again in a New York minute when Jovan Garcia #4 after a huge run was hit from behind and the forced fumble was recovered by the Noles. The Bandits defense was the shinning star today and after all 4 TO’s held the Noles in check. Karl Pfistner #42 was a monster as the final stats aren’t in but he was everywhere making tackle after tackle.

As the game leveled the Bandits were forced to punt to a dangerous Andre Ray #1 and as the punt team converged on a bouncing punt Ray took a huge gamble attempting to field the kick and the gamble paid off huge as Ray took the punt to the house from 45 yards out giving his team a lead in the 1st quarter.

Photos provided by Frank Bettis

Noles 6 – Bandits 2

The Bandits defense stepped up in this playoff game and would hold the collection of Noles ball carriers including and heroic attempt by recently injure Gerald Wilson the Seminoles QB. “He changes the game out there he makes you contain his escape routes and can force a defense to play 8 seconds in the secondary. He is a tough guy who showed a tough of courage playing as hurt as he did” said Coach Badson. As the Noles would look to ride the QB the Bandits defense was more focused on produing punts and putting the ball back into the offenses hand.

The Bandits would put together a huge drive taking advantage of the great defensive work of the QUIET STORM. Damian Jones #34 took hand off after hand off and capped a great drive with a short 3 yard TD run over the left side putting the team into the lead. The PAT attempt was blocked as the score would settle.

Photos Provided by Frank Bettis

Noles 6 – Bandit 8

The Bandits would trade punches with the stingy Seminoles defense into the 2nd quarter until the Bandits would be set up 1st and Goal from the 3 yard line and would throw an interception crushing would could have been a momentum changing drive going into the half.

The Bandits would come out of the half inspired and would hold the Noles in check for most of the 3rd quarter. As we are still waiting on the final film the Defense played great giving the Bandits offense another chance protecting a 2 point lead. The offense would cash in on a big pass completion to Jovan Garcia #4 who broke several tackles and found the endzone on a huge play giving his team a huge boost, the momentum was changing. PAT good.

Noles 6 – Bandits 15

The Seminoles to their credit didn’t go away and on a 3rd and long play put the ball into the endzone on a 50 yard TD pass. “Its was a great throw, we had defense on the play, sometimes the offense makes plays”, said Coach Louis Perez. The Noles would cross the goal line on a QB draw completing the drive and just like that they were back in the game.

Photos provided by Frank Bettis

Noles 14 – Bandits 15

Playoff football is won in the 4th quarter and the Bandits would ring the bell today. Forcing the Noles to punt never allowing the Noles a chance to get much going. As the Bandits keep the ball on the ground with a mix of runs to Jones, Banks and Garcia the clock continued to run. Midway through the quarter the Bandits found Juan Valverde #44 who stumbled a few yards away from the endzone for another huge play. The result of the drive would tack on another 3 points behind the leg of Mike Sheridan #15 long time Bandit kicker.

Noles 14- Bandits 18

The Noles worked hard and moved into Bandits territory late in the game a chose to punt as the drive exhausted. This is were the game was won and if Blockafella the Bandits Oline. With 5:29 seconds on the clock and the Bandits starting the drive deep in there own territory feed the young horse Damian Jones all the way up the field executing play after play. “Everybody in the building knew the Bandits were running the ball and they found a way to run” said a Bandit fan. The Bandits ate up 5:29 seconds on never gave the Noles the ball back capping what can only be called a great Team win putting the New York Bandits into there 5th EFA/UFL Championship game.

Please stay tuned for additional coverage, including game film and highlights plus stats and interviews.

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