ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - Eastern Flag Football advanced to the Atlantic East Championship game for the second straight year, but a furious late rally came up just short in a 12-7 loss to the Marymount Saints. The Eagles reached the red zone four times, but the Saints' defense made three fourth down stops, including one with 35 seconds left, to clinch their second straight league championship.
It was a tightly contested affair from start to finish. The Eagles outgained the Saints 188-176, but in the passing game, Eastern averaged just 4.1 yards per attempt and 6.0 yards per attempt. Conversely, the Saints averaged 7.1 yards per attempt and 8.3 yards per completion.
After the Eagles were held to a three-and-out on their opening drive, Marymount scored its first touchdown on its first possession. The Saints faced a 4th-and-16 near midfield, but Marymount first-year Alexandria Veltri caught a pass from Cara Vollmer on the right sideline and scampered 39 yards, untouched, into the end zone to give the Saints a 6-0 lead.
The Eagles looked to answer, driving the length of the field and into the red zone, but
Kyla Massenburg came up just short after a tackle from Leslie Villegas, ending Eastern's drive. The Eagles got the ball back quickly on a
Damiyae Moyet interception, but again failed to capitalize as the Saints' defense clamped down in the red zone again. Marymount went into the halftime break leading 6-0.
As they did in the first half, the Saints scored on their opening possession, eventually capping it off on a Jesenia Velez two-yard touchdown run. Velez was named the Atlantic East Tournament MVP.
The Eagles came roaring back on their next drive. Back-to-back completions from
Kira Green to
Molly Schellpeper and
Jeriyah Johnson, a 20-yard run for Massenburg, and another catch from Johnson set the Eagles up just outside the red zone. The Eagles again faced a fourth and goal, but after scrambling left, Green found Schellpeper cutting to the corner and hit her with a perfect pass to put the Eagles on the scoreboard. The ensuing extra point cut the Marymount lead to 12-7 late in the third quarter.
The Eastern defense did its part the rest of the second half, stymying the Marymount offense and giving the Eastern offense one more shot at the end. Eastern drove into the red zone once more, facing fourth and goal with 40 seconds remaining, but a final desperation pass fell harmless to the turf, clinching Marymount's second straight championship.
Green capped her brilliant sophomore campaign with 17 completions for 102 yard and a touchdown. She finished her season with 61 touchdown passes. Massenburg led the rushing attack with 67 yards, while Johnson caught 10 passes for 58 yards. Massenburg and
Sanej Tyler each finished with eight tackles.
Eastern advanced to the championship round with a 36-6 win over the Holy Family Tigers in the first game of the day. Massenburg ran for 147 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries, including a 66-yard scamper. Johnson caught 10 passes for 112 yards and also recorded a three-yard rushing touchdown. Schellpeper also caught a touchdown pass in the win.
Eastern finishes the season with a 20-3 record. In two season under Head Coach
Amanda Ruller, the Eagles have a combined mark of 34-7.
