Thornton Junior Football League

Championship Saturday was finally here!  Obviously, mother nature didn't care too much about the 50th Aniversary T.J.F.L. Turkey Bowl.  She gave the city of Thornton a mix of weather all day long. 

Right before kickoff the sky became dark and the lights came on at 5 Star Stadium.  Not to mention, the field was completely covered with snow.  The Saints weren't going to let mother nature ruin their chances of becoming Turkey Bowl Champions.  They were coming into the game with a 9-1 record, with their only loss coming from the Vikings.  It was redemption time for the Saints.  

The first quarter went scoreless for both teams.  Both defenses were being extremely stingy with yards allowed against them.  In the second quarter the Saints finally broke free with a huge play.  QB Dadrian ran for a 30 yard TD down the right side of the field and Xavier scored on a run for the extra point, putting the Saints up 7-0.  The Saints defense took control of the game from that point on.  They caused three fumbles, which the Saints recovered all of them.  The Saints scored one more time with a 15 yard TD run by Manny, but it was called back due to a holding penalty.  With the field being so slushy field position in this game was huge.  The Saints went into the locker room at halftime with a 7-0 lead.  

The Saints defense caused a turnover on the first play of the second half with a crushing hit by Jonathan.  In the third quarter it was once again a battle of field position.  Xavier finally broke it loose up the middle with a 35 yard TD run, but once again the Saints were penalized for holding and the score was wiped off the board.  The fourth quarter started with the Saints up 7-0.  The Saints defense came up big once again causing a four and out and that's when the Saints offense put the game away.  They put together a long 10 play drive that was finished off by Xavier breaking it up the middle for a 25 yard TD run.  This time there were NO yellow flags on the ground.  Dadrian then hit Manny on a roll out pass for the 2 point conversion, extending the lead to 15-0.  

From that point the Saints defense finished off the game getting the ball back for the offense with 3 plays left in the game and that's when the referees called the game.  

Then the celebration began.  The Saints players, coaches and crazy fans went wild!!!  

The Saints and Vikings were then awarded their Turkey Bowl Trophy's at mid-field.  After the Saints received their trophies they ran over to their fans and celebrated some more.  

Congratulations on a GREAT SEASON!!!!  Go SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!! 

With such a crazy week leading up to the 1st Round Playoff games, due to bad weather and the game time rescheduling, the Saints remained focus on the task ahead.  In the first quarter of the game, the Saints offense did what they do best.....run....run....run!!!  Dadrian started the attack with a 55 yd TD run and then add a nice throw to Xavier for the 2 pt conversion.  The Saints defense quickly got the ball back for the offense and Xavier delivered the second score of the 1st quarter on a short TD run up the middle.  In the 2nd quarter, Dadrian outran the Giants defense to the endzone on a 60 yd score.  At halftime the Saints were up 22-0.

To open the second half the Giants returned the kickoff for a score, but that ended up being the only time the Saints gave up a score all game.  The Saints added two more scores in the 3rd quarter with the first coming off a 30 yd receiving TD from Dadrian to Xavier and the second coming off a 25 yd TD run by Xavier.  Austin added the final score of the game in the fourth quarter to seal the victory for the Saints.  The defense was lead by mulitple players this week, Dade, Austin, Manny and Jonathan, all notching 8+ tackles.  

With this victory the Saints will face the Dolphins in the second round of the playoffs this Saturday @ 10 a.m. TWP (grass).  The winner of the game will play in the 2012 Turkey Bowl the following week at 5 Star Stadium.