The Pecs Gators captured the San Diego American Flag Football League Championship over the Brians’ American Eatery Bears with a 25-12 win last Saturday, July 9, at the Linda Vista Recreation Center.

In the first game of the day, the Hamburger Mary’s Cowboys were the first team to score in a close battle against the Gators. Only trailing by five points late in the second half, the Cowboys could not capitalize on an opportunity to score, allowing the Gators to hold on for the 18-12 win.

In the second game, the Bears scored first, but the Bourbon Street Hurricanes followed soon after. Both offenses were accurate, scoring with relative efficiently, including two interceptions by Bears receiver Jared Duncan.

On the final drive, the Hurricanes were trailing the Bears 13-12 and were only a few yards from scoring with only one play left in the game. On the final pass, Hurricanes ball carrier Michael Anderson ran for the corner of the end zone, but fumbled the ball right as he crossed the pylon out of bounds. The Hurricanes had thought they had made the touchdown, but the officials ruled Anderson did not have control of the ball as he crossed out of bounds. With no plays left in the game, the Brians’ Bears escaped with a 13-12 victory to make it to the championship game against the Gators.

In the championship, the Bears scored first as they have often done this season, but the Gators came right back to tie the game at 6-6. After a Bears’ touchdown pass was blocked in the end zone, the Bears watched the Gators capitalize and score another touchdown to lead 12-6. Just before the half, however, the Bears drove down the field to even the score 12-12 with a touchdown pass brought in by Brian Wilburn.

The second half was a defensive battle, with neither team scoring immediately. The Gators eventually scored a touchdown with a short pass by Dave DiGiacomo to lead 19-12. After a scoreless run by the offense, the Bears’ defense took over again. The Gators drove all the way to the one-yard line, but the Bears’ defense stopped them from scoring on five straight plays.

With two minutes left, the Bears got the ball back in an attempt to tie the game. Gators receiver Ty Law intercepted the ball on a long pass into the end zone. Doug Komlenic scored another touchdown to secure the win for the Gators.

The following players were honored by the SDAFFL: Most Improved Player – Steve Pena; Rookie of the Year – Jared Duncan; Best Defensive Player and Most Interceptions – Doug Komlenic; Best Offensive Player – Dave DiGiacomo; Most Valuable Player – Jorge Lopez; Most Sacks – Jim Giacobbe; Most Touchdowns – Brian Wilburn and Shon Anderson.