Mariners are Road Warriors to the RAFL Chip

The Brooklyn Mariners did it the hard way in 2008. After dropping their last two games of regular season and getting into the RAFL playoffs as a wild card, They had to go on the road to Connecticut to defeat the NE Knights (8-1-1), then to Plainfield to squeak by their long time rival Wolves (8-2). After that, they went across the bridge to Staten Island and took out the then undefeated Predators (10-0) before heading to Scranton for their rematch with the defending champion Prince William Monarchs.

The Mariners came out strong, and took the opening drive 68 yards capped off by an end around by Sandiford Joseph (Co game MVP) and extra point conversion to take an early 7-0 lead. After putting together two first downs, the Monarchs were forced to punt. The Mariners drove again, this time stalling out at the 16 yard line where they added a field goal to pull to a 10-0 advantage. After a Monarch three and out, the Mariners would drive another 40+ yards and kick their second field goal of the contest to tack on a 13-0 advantage.

Three drives, three scores. The mariners had set the pace. Their defense was stifling at times, led by #42 Shawn McGlin. The Monarchs and Mariners both had problems moving the ball the rest of the half as the Monarchs settled in. The two teams would go to halftime at 13-0.

The second half began with opportunity for the Monarchs. Darrel Overton (Co MVP) feverishly escaped the Mariner rush, and gained some yards on the ground. The Overton then connected on a 45 yard pass that brought the Monarchs down inside the Mariner 20. After gaining a few more precious yards, the Monarchs were stone walled by the tenacious Mariner defense. The Monarchs were willing to settle for a field goal attempt, but the Mariners would have none of that. On the attempt, four Mariners came crashing through and thwarted the Monarch attempt and kept the shut out in tact.

After a three and out, the Mariners punted again giving the Monarchs good field position and opportunity would present itself again for the defending champs. On second down, Overton had a man wide open, deep down the sideline. A good pass into the end zone was a touchdown, but it was not to be. Overton’s pass sailed towards the sideline, and the receiver couldn’t catch it with both feet in bounds at the Mariner 3 yard line. Again, the Monarchs would come away empty handed.

Overton kept his team getting close with QB draws and whams, and the Monarchs would get in the red zone two more times, but just couldn’t get it in.

After a late 4^th quarter turnover, the Mariners would do what champions do. They put it away, on the ground and scored the nail in the coffin with under 2 minutes left to leave the final score at Mariners 20, Monarchs 0. Congratulations to Pudgey Walsh, and the Brooklyn Mariners. 2008 Atlantic Bowl Champions. They are now king of the RAFL mountain.