In the season opener, San Quentin’s All-Madden flag football team edged out the visiting All-Stars for God Ministry, 18-14.
In the defensive battle, the All-Stars were in a position to win, down four points, on second and goal with a minute left in the game.
All-Madden blitzed All-Star quarterback Adam Perez, forcing an interception into the arms of cornerback Jason Jones, stopping the comeback.
“Our guys maintained their discipline and executed all the things we did in practice,” said All-Madden Coach Isaiah Thompson-Bonilla.
To start the game, All-Madden’s John “Dunnie” Windham intercepted Perez on the 40-yard line. QB Royce Rose followed with a touchdown pass to Windham for the 6-0 lead, after missing the extra point.
All-Madden struck again on a slant thrown by Rose to Nicholas Darrettt for the 12-0 lead.
“It’s a challenge out there. This is my first season and I’m grateful for this experience,” said Darrett.
On offense, the All-Stars found their rhythm with screen plays to Tyson Amir and AJ Haynes.
Perez found Amir in the open gap for the TD. The All-Stars missed the extra point.
Amir had six catches for 68 yards and Haynes had four catches for 42 yards on the day.
Down six, All-Stars defensive linemen Aaron Jones and Phil Volta shut down the All-Madden running game. The big boys pushed All-Madden back to the goal line, where Rose drop the snap for a safety, making the score 12-8.
All-Madden’s D. “Zayd” Nichols sacked Perez to close the half.
During half time, Pastor Wayne Jackson and the Rev. Joel Moore gave inspirational speeches on endurance.
“Endurance is fighting those mental blocks that would have you cheat yourself of something good. You would want to quit, but you have to fight through it. You have to have hope … expecting something good is going happen,” said Jackson.
Moore added, “Endurance is like fighting with weights on. …. These weights might seem like a burden, but when they come off, we are lighter and stronger for God.”
The second half started with Amir picking off Rose.
The All-Stars scored again when Perez moved to the shotgun for more time and found Amir down the middle for the TD and the 14-12 lead.
Perez threw 15/23 for 141 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
All-Madden’s Rose dumped a screen pass to Windham, who took it 20 yards to the five-yard line for first and goal.
Windham finished with three catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.
All-Madden ran a reverse trick play as Jones walked it in to take back the lead 18-14.
Rose threw 5/14 for 102 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
“The line made my job easier. We played as a team, and we got to see the results of our practices,” said Rose, referring to linemen Jesus Perez, Gary McDonald and Anthony Redwood.
Kennedy, who used to be a player said, “It’s a pleasure to coach these guys I used to play with. Now I’m looking at the game from the outside in.”
The Oct. 3 game ended with Amir treating the players to a song from his new spoken-word album, “Traditions,” amazing both teams.