Chiefs get banged up in win over Barbarians

The Shell Chiefs extended their unbeaten streak to five games with their 26-6 win over the Miller Barbarians on Saturday, but the victory came at a price, as quarterback Danny Punimata suffered a season-ending injury in the second quarter.

This is the second time in two weeks that the Chiefs’ starting quarterback has taken a serious blow. Last week it was Clasley Ngeskebei who was sidelined for the season when he broke his clavicle, and on Saturday it was Punimata’s turn with a broken ankle.

Losing two QBs would be a serious problem for most football teams, but the Chiefs had wide receiver Bryant Moors come in to throw, and a stable of studs to run the ball to overcome the losses.

Before getting injured, Punimata led the Chiefs on a pair of scoring drives and completed two passes for 45 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Moors came onto the field in the second quarter with a 12-point lead, and completed an 8-yard pass to Charleston Aiken for a touchdown to put the Chiefs up 18-0.

After the half, Plasido Tagabuel got the Barbarians going in the right direction with a 47-yard pass to Alison Kaipat for six points. That was as close as the black and gold would come to the Chiefs, as Moors handed Iakopo the ball in the fourth quarter for a 40-yard touchdown run.

The offense came through, but the Chiefs’ defense sealed the deal for the red and yellow. The last time out, the Shell defense allowed Miller quarterback Plasido Tagabuel three completions in 12 attempts for 40 yards in the air, but this time out Tagabuel was able to get a little more accomplished.

Tagabuel had four completions for 86 yards in 13 attempts, but he was smothered for a loss when he tried to scramble. Tagabuel ran five times for -33 yards, and a combination of Chong Won, Mel Tagabuel, John Wabol, Syl Teregeyo, Shayne Villanueva, and Chris Guerrero accounted for -49 yards.

Juan Kapileo led the Chiefs with three tackles, five assists and a pair of sacks, followed by Paul Camacho with four tackles, two assists and a sack. Dava Ada also got to the QB for a sack to go along with his two solo tackles and four assists, and the team of Fasefulu Tigilau and James Blas combined for one as well. The Shell defense accounted for five sacks, and permitted the Barbarians 37 yards of total offense.

Jered Lutu picked off a pair of passes to raise his total to four on the year, while Jerome Ierome picked off his first of the season.

The Chiefs’ defense held the Barbarians running game to negative yardage for the second time this season. In the three games that these teams have taken the field together, the Chiefs’ defense has allowed 148 yards in the air, gained half of the yards back by holding them to -70 on the ground, and surrendered just 14 points.

On the offensive side, the Chiefs running game came to the rescue of the dilapidated passing corps. The three-headed monster of Stanley Iakopo, Jeff Boyer and Paul Guerrero combined for 147 yards.

Iakopo enjoyed his best game of the season, as he scored a pair of long touchdowns, led all rushers with 103 yards on nine carries for the Chiefs. Iakopo’s touchdowns came from 36 and 40 yards out, while teammate Boyer scored on a toss from Punimata and churned out 30 yards the hard way on nine carries, and Guerrero picked up 38 yards on nine carries.

Moors contributed through the air in other ways as well with five kick-offs for 221yards, including a 63-yard boot.

The Barbarians were able to rebound against the Verizon Nitro in the week five of the season following the loss, and Plas and the boys will have to repeat that performance if they hope to finish the regular season on a high note.

With the win, the Chiefs improved their record to 5-0 in their inaugural season, while the Miller Barbarians dropped to 2-3. After disconnecting the Verizon Nitro 22-12 in their last outing, the Barbarians will be looking toward evening their record at 3-3 as they head into the playoffs.

The rock ‘em sock ‘em action of the CFL returns to the airport gridiron this Saturday, Nov. 6, when the Miller Barbarians try to bounce back against the Verizon Nitro at 10am.