Four sacks and three interceptions propelled the San Quentin All-Madden flag football team to a 44-18 win over The Chosen visitors.
All-Madden had been waiting to play an outside team all season and made the most of the chance that finally happened after many mishaps.
All-Madden was sensational on both sides of the ball. To close the game, All-Madden quarterback Antonio “Boobie” Cavitt threw a screen pass to running back Cleo Cloman for a five-yard walk-in touchdown, bringing the score to 43-18.
The one-point conversion came at the hands of wide receiver John Windham. He made a leaping one-hand catch in the back of the end zone that was out of this world.
“I had fun. I tested the limits coming off of surgery and being able to go to that upper room to get that ball,” said Windham.
Tyson Amir of The Chosen commented, “It was great fellowship; they played well organized and disciplined. We also look forward to playing them again.”
Windham wasn’t the only player with sure hands. The All-Madden defense intercepted The Chosen quarterback Dante Perez three times and all resulted in rushing touchdowns.
The first one came off the chest of The Chosen wide receiver Andre Jackson into the hands of Royce Rose in the first half. Cloman made a 10-yard run for a touchdown, making the score 18-0.
The second half started with back-to-back interceptions. Donald “Texas” Walker Jr. grabbed one out of the air and ran it back 30 yards before being stopped. Cavitt followed with a 25-yard touchdown run, making the score 30-12.
Cloman tagged on another interception with a one-hand snatch while going out of bounds, giving All-Madden the final pick of the game.
“This is a no-flight zone,” said Cloman.
Windham converted the interception into a touchdown with a three-yard run, for a 36-12 lead.
“We wanted to get physical off the top. We have a run-then-pass quarterback,” said All-Madden coach Chris Markham. “All the things we’ve been practicing, we were able to execute to the fullest. Our defensive line — Kevin Carr, D. Zayd Nichol, Anthony Sorrell and Mario Washington — kept pressure on their QB all game.”
The All-Madden defensives line’s pressure sacked Perez four times. Nichols got him twice, Sorrell once and Washington once.
The All-Madden offensive line kept its QB pretty well protected, only giving up one sack by De Phil Volta of The Chosen.
“We came to handle business and we did that,” said All-Madden center Andre “Escalade” Black.
Offensive tackle Anthony Redwood of All-Madden added, “It was a battle; the other team brought it.”
The Chosen showed major promise in the first half, although coming up short. They scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the first half. Perez found Jackson for a 20-yard pass over the hands of Walker for a TD.
With only 21 seconds left in the half, Perez handed the ball off to the speedy Amir, who slashed his way 10 yards into the end zone, closing the scoring gap, 18-12.
Unfortunately for The Chosen, there were still 13 seconds left on the clock. All-Madden used two plays and a timeout to go 60 yards, which ended with a deep crossing pass to Kent Craig for a TD and 24-12 lead.
The Chosen didn’t score again until there were four minutes left in the second half. Amir caught a 15-yard pass in the center of the end zone, making the score 37-18.
“The victory is really playing these guys,” said Perez.
Jackson added, “It’s a ministry thing; we just don’t come to play basketball and football.”
The two teams came together to form one big huddle, and The Chosen coach Wayne “Preacher” Jackson ended with a prayer. “When God sees your faith, things happen,” Jackson said.
