Sun, Nov 17 - Following their victory over the White Choppas, the Pigskin Hooligans advanced to the championship game for the 9th time in franchise history. The Hooligans looked to spoil the undefeated season of the #1 seed Black Slicers who entered the game a perfect 4-0. While both teams traded touchdowns throughout the contest, a pair of late interceptions from Adam Purdy lifted the Slicers to a 63-57 championship win. The Slicers won the coin toss and elected to take defense first. Harry Kinney led a successful opening drive, connecting with Mikey Melcher in the endzone. Preston Sherman started at QB for the Slicers, running for several large gains. After taking a backwards pass, Joe Tany threw to Matthew Botti for a touchdown to tie the game 6-6. Harry Kinney found Mikey Melcher again for a touchdown with RJ Bortle adding a 2-pt conversion. Preston Sherman countered by rolling out of the pocket and firing deep to Matthew Botti for a score. On the next series Kimmy Thompson took a short pass and nearly scored, setting the team up outside the endzone. Harry Kinney found Ryan Bailey in the back of the endzone for a touchdown, but Matthew Botti intercepted the 2-pt conversion and returned it for 2 points. The Slicers took a 22-20 lead after Preston Sherman connected with Joe Tany for both a touchdown and 2-pt conversion. The Hooligans drove down the field in the final minute of the 1st half and Harry Kinney connected with Mikey Melcher in the back of the endzone for his 3rd TD of the day. The Hooligans led 26-22 at halftime. The Slicers started the 2nd half with the ball and Preston Sherman escaped pressure and found Matthew Botti for a touchdown to reclaim the lead. Harry Kinney responded by avoiding the blitz and connecting with Perry Melcher for a touchdown. After a deep catch by Matthew Botti, Preston Sherman ran in a touchdown with Adam Purdy adding the 2-pt PAT. Harry Kinney responded with a highlight-reel run from the quarterback position, juking multiple defenders and blazing his way into the endzone for a 40-36 lead. Preston Sherman found Joe Tany for a touchdown as the lead continued to change hands. A turning point in the 2nd half came when Adam Purdy came up with a big interception for the Slicers. Preston Sherman took advantage of the short field and found Matthew Botti in the endzone. Adam Purdy made another critical play for the Slicers with a “pick 6”, giving his team a two-possession lead with a 56-40 advantage. The Hooligans still kept fighting in the final minutes as Harry Kinney ran for a touchdown and 2-pt conversion. Preston Sherman sealed the game with another successful scoring drive, finding Adam Purdy for a touchdown. The Hooligans drove down the field in the final minute and Kimmy Thompson caught a short pass for a touchdown, giving the team a 9-pt female score. The Slicers were able to kneel out the remainder of the clock and handed the Hooligans a 63-57 loss in a hard-fought game. Trooper Hunter was at the game to cheer on the Hooligans. The team concludes their season 4-2 overall and the team still has many accomplishments to be proud of. Several franchise milestones and records were broken this year, and the team has many key young players with a promising future to build around. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for the announcements of the league All-Stars, a Hooligan season overview, and the reveal of the 2019 Hooligan Awards. Until next year....ROLL HOOLIGANS! Team members from left to right: Mikey Melcher, Harry Kinney, Perry Melcher, Layne Pries, RJ Bortle, Mike Russell, Kimmy Thompson, Blake Dean, Ryan Bailey
Not pictured but played in 2019: Ashley Bartram, Daniel Castro, Darricle Jones, Darryl Davenport, Gabe Farr, Henry Capers, Hunter Lastacy, Josh Course, Kordell McNeal, Louis Schimmel * All interceptions listed in the stats are on defense.
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Written by Mike Russell
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May 2021
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