FWL Bowl XXI

Sacramento Surge 24 Berlin Thunder 22

(Play by Play)

Berlin           3 10  0  9 -- 22
Sacramento       3  7  7  7 -- 24

First Quarter
Berlin - Rheem 24 FG, 4:23
Sacramento - Kibble 43 FG, 14:50

Second Quarter
Sacramento - Chapman 65 pass from Olsen (Kibble kick), 2:46
Berlin - Rheem 33 FG, 7:32
Berlin - Redmond 15 run (Rheem kick), 13:56

Third Quarter
Sacramento - Holiday 15 pass from Olsen (Kibble kick), 8:24

Fourth Quarter
Berlin - Rheem 27 FG, 0:05
Sacramento - Chapman 4 run (Kibble kick), 6:27
Berlin - Bryant 19 pass from Rowe (2-Point conversion failed), 13:43

The final was superb to watch for all the fans, possibly now Surge fans who had bitten off all their nails. The Surge had not had a winning season for over 8 seasons but this year they started off fast and the whole team connected, they finished with a league leading 11-3 record and homefield advantage.

In the final they faced Berlin, last years surprise winners but who had made it back to the final thanks to some late season wins which gave them homefield advantage. They had gone through a surprising QB controversy but QB Jeff Rowe got his job back and improved week by week.

Berlin opened the scoring up in FWL Bowl XXI with a short FG, Rheem kicked the late game winner to win FWL Bowl XX and was full of confidence. Both teams struggled to move the ball until finally the Surge drove downfield to tie the game up 3-3. Berlin were forced to punt and then finally the first touchdown arrived, HB Kory Chapman who was held by the Berlin run defense broke free for a screen pass and sprinted 65 yards for the touchdown. Chapman was one of the main reasons Sacramentos fortunes had changed, a great trade with Montreal a few years back gave the Surge the young Chapman. Year by year he improved until the last few seasons he has really taken off.

The Thunder came straight back with a drive for a FG but still trailed 10-6. After forcing Sacramento to punt Berlin continued to move the ball and scored their first touchdown as backup Telis Redmond scored from 15 yards out, not bad for the little used backup who had just one carry for 5 yards during the season. Starter Damien Anderson was shaken up so Redmond got a few plays.

In the second half both teams punted until Sacramento moved downfield again, Olsen seemed to be hit as he threw and his fluttery pass looked like it was going to be intercepted but somehow Holiday grabbed the ball despite being covered by 3 defenders. The Surge now led 17-13 entering the 4Q, Berlin drove downfield and kicked another FG, now it was 17-16. Then the Thunder had a huge break as Sacramento fumbled and Berlin recovered on the Surge 45. However on 3rd down one of the plays of the game happened, Surge DE Chris Cooper sacked Rowe forcing him to fumble and the Surge recovered.

The fumble recovery led to a great drive which was capped off by Kory Chapman running in from 4 yards out, now with 9 minutes left the Surge led 24-16.

Both teams punted and Berlin had one final chance with 3:06 left starting from their own 20 yard line. A penalty on the offense called one completion back, then on the next play Berlin fumbled but managed to recover. Then Rowe was sacked, it was a bad start as Berlin looked very nervous. Finally on 3rd & 18 and the game on the line Rowe hit WR Ricky Bryant for 30 yards. Now the 2 minute warning and Rowe was in rhythm as he hit Bryant again for 18 yards and then his TE for 21 and suddenly Berlin were on the Surge 19 yard line.

After stopping the clock Rowe then his Bryant for the touchdown from 19 yards out with 1:17 left in the game. It was the big 2 point conversion however, short FG's earlier in the game instead of touchdowns forced Berlin to go for 2. Rowe tried to throw for the 2 pointer but it was batted away and Sacramento still led. Berlin recovered the onside kick, another great play by Ricky Bryant and now had a real chance for a great win. 1:16 left and on their own 48 yard line, only about 18 yards to get into FG range.

Perhaps Rowe was throwing to Bryant too much, nickle back CB Sam Massey stepped in front of the pass and intercepted the ball, the game was over and the comeback disappeared. Sacramento ran out the clock to win FWL Bowl XXI.

A big well done to Andreas Born who has a great team in Berlin and a lot of young talent, making it to two straight FWL Bowls is very impressive. Finally a huge well done to TC. He has been in charge of the Surge for several seasons, in a very tough division but little by little hes made some great trades and drafts and has created a great solid team in Sacramento with a lot of great playmakers specially on offense. This year the team totally clicked and they looked like the best in the league, so well done on winning the championship

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