——–LANDON FOOTBALL 36 StA 29———

goldenstateservicesj
Nov 9, 2024
3 min read

PREFACE: before reporting on this awesome comeback win, it is appropriate to comment that Coach Padalino, and his superb set of assistant coaches deserve tremendous credit for how they instructed this team through the ’24 Season. Last year’s roster saw some significant talent graduate and the Class of 2025 included some excellent players. After the summer and early games, the Bears lost some key players and leaders to injuries.

Every game Landon’s opponents were significantly bigger than Coach Padalino’s squad. In spite of that disadvantage and a demanding schedule, Landon earned an impressive 7-3 record.

These two schools have competed against each other on the gridiron for about 9 decades. No matter what the team’s record, a win over their RIVAL can make the year successful. The DC Bulldogs returned impressive talent, were undefeated for 4 games, in IAC matches only lost to GP (-5) and BS (-3); so, if you believe in the mathematical transitive principle, the home team would be projected to win. Add a boisterous Homecoming Crowd and our stereotypical opposition roster, the StA crowd thought that it was a certain victory.

Most of the 1^st half reinforced the Bulldog expectations. First Q– home team drive 7 plays/ 57 yards/TD; second drive 7 plays/76 yards/TD. The Bear O was sputtering. Score after 12:00 BULLDOGS 14 BEARS 0

Q2 both defenses made 2 consecutive stops. StA’s 3^rd possession(starting at 4:05) moved 72 yards in 8 plays for a TD and a Bears’ penalty on the PAT set up the home team for a 2 point conversion, which they achieved BULLDOGS 22 BEARS 0 at 0:25.

Landon’s 3^rd possession, they covered 52 yards in three plays’ a 17 yard pass from SEAN MURRAY to CADEN SOUTHWITH and then a reverse in which SEAN ran left and pitched the ball to UBIE ZAID) who, as he ran towards the opposite sideline, launched a pass to CADEN for a 29 yard TD @0:46.4 PAT good BULLDOGS 22 BEARS 7

With 36 seconds left to the intermission, the Boys on the Mount were sure of adding to their advantage. They consumed 40 yards and were poised on the Landon 29 to attempt a collegiate-worthy 47 yard FG attempt. Not 100% sure that this is the right player, but it looked like CHARLIE FIELDS (correct? #57) broke through the line and blocked the kick.

Some football savant has said “little things can change momentum.”

HALFTIME BULLDOGS 22 BEARS 7

Indeed, the above quoted aphorism proved to be prescient.

Landon received the kickoff and in nine plays “matriculated” down the gridiron some 61 yards. SEAN handled the ball on all plays (passes for 30 yards) (ran twice) and handed off to MAC COHEN. The TD was a SEAN run @ 8:06 BULLDOGS 22 BEARS 14

A TFL by TILLER SMITH stopped the next StA drive, thus returning the football to the visitors.

The O was clicking for white-clad team, 2 SEAN runs and 2 passes from the dual threat QB resulted in a TD- both to CADEN (38 and 10= TD)@1:34 . A very clever 2 point play (SEAN to UBIE) tied the tally—BEARS 22 BULLDOGS 22

Landon’s secondary tightened up for the next StA series two consecutive PASSES DEFENDED forced the blue-and-red jerseys to relinquish the ball via a short punt.

Bears started at midfield and aggressively moved the line-to-gain in chunks (air and ground). AEDAN CASSIDY was a featured receiver with about 30 yards.

(Today’s Cassidy twins success was reminiscent of their father’s 1991win over StA 28-7 in pouring rain. His Bulldog opponent 6’9” 345# UCLA AA, Ravens 1^st draft pick and HOF, Jonathan Ogden!!!)

The SEAN to MACK TD was 4 yards long and @1:39 of Q3. BEARS 29 BULLDOGS 22

The scoreboard moved to the last period as StA offense stalled, but Landon also was able to earn 4 first downs, but did not convert a 3^rd and 6.

With 4:45 remaining the “homecomers” regained their initiative moving forward from their own 26 to score the tying TD at 0:53.2BEARS 29 BULLDOGS 29.

But not every team is gifted a UBIE “GONE” ZAID. He caught to kickoff 85 yards from a scoreAND HE TIP TOED DOWN THE SIDELINE to put the BEARS on top 36-29 @54.7.