The visiting Chosen Ministry flag football team brought its SWAG and beat the San Quentin All-Madden squad, 26-12, in the season finale.
The ministry team came to show love and taught that SWAG means Saved (by) Way (of) Amazing Grace, said Chosen Pastor Wayne Jackson.
“When storms come, either you be wise or foolish, but don’t cast away your confidence. Which can be a great reward for you,” said Pastor Jackson.
And confidence is what they bought on fourth down, up 19-12 with a minute left in the game. The crowd roared for the Chosen to punt the ball and play defense. But Chosen had a better plan. The quarterback swept right and found a streaking Tyson Amir down field for a 60-yard bomb. Amir caught the pass off his fingertips and stumbled in the end zone, closing the game out with a bang.
“The main thing is we want our brothers home,” said Amir. “We come here to show support and love. We agreed to be here, and we will honor our agreements as long as we can.”
The first half of the game was a tight defensive battle. The Chosen put up a goal-line stand to save a touchdown by blitzing Andre Jackson.
“This is the highlight of my year,” Andre said. “I can feel the love and brotherhood; it’s like family. You can see the changes in these guys.”
All-Madden regained procession off an interception by Donald “Tex” Walker. That set up a 20-yard pass to Nicholas Darrett for an All-Madden 6-0 lead.
“I’m glad for this season. We lost to our brothers. It’s not always about the win; it’s about the unity that we share,” said Walker.
Chosen Amir intercepted All-Madden quarterback Royce Rose in the last two minutes of the first-half. That led to a Chosen 10-yard touchdown run to tie the score 6-6.
At half-time, both teams honored sponsor Don Smith for his 18 years of commitment to the Ministry Sports Program at San Quentin.
“Without a vision a man perishes, and without purpose, man goes down,” said Smith.
The Chosen opened the second half with a screenplay to Amir, who shook an All-Madden defender for a 99-yard touchdown run to lead 12-6.
All-Madden answered after a series of powerful runs by Rose and running back Matthew “Ed” Edwards. Edwards found a gap in the defense and ran 10 yards for the 12-12 tie.
“This season was humbling and spiritual,” Edwards said. “I thank the visitors for helping to give us our humanity back. Plus I got my first touchdown.”
The Chosen fired back on their next possession. Anthony Jackson snatched a 50-yard bomb out the air and ran it straight in for the touchdown and the 19-12 lead.
“It’s a blessing to come in here, Anthony said. “God wants us to minister through football. We want you guys to stay strong and remember God in everything you do.”
With two minutes left on the clock, All-Madden moved the ball down the field quickly, off short passes to the sidelines to save the time. Rose then ran 40 yards for the first and goal. The next play Rose threw the ball to the end zone corner where the Chosen’s Benra Williams intercepted it to seal the game.
“I want to thank all the players and the people who helped to put these games on. You want to go where the competition is, and that’s why we come here,” said Williams.
Isaiah Bonilla-Thompson, All-Madden head coach, added, “We like to honor the Chosen for their sacrifices to come here. They are like the home team with the many fans they have here.”
Dwight Kennedy, All-Madden assistant coach, concluded, “I’m just thankful to enjoy the outside guests. It shows the outside community our active rehabilitation, and that we can work together to accomplish a goal.”
“It was fun while it lasted,” said Rose about the Nov. 21 game. It ended All-Madden’s season with a record of 2-1.
