Shell Chiefs move to 4-0

After sitting idle in the two weeks since their last match up with the Miller Barbarians, the Shell Chiefs returned to the CPA Airport field in triumphant fashion on Saturday as they blanked the Verizon Nitro 20-0 to extend their unbeaten streak to four games in the continuation of the Commonwealth Football League.

Led by Dave “the Destroyer” Ada, the Chiefs dominated the Nitro with defense, as they recorded 13 sacks, and allowed Verizon just five yards through the air and a -61 on the ground to send their offensive unit home in debt, with a -56 yards of total offense.

Ada swarmed around the ball to record four tackles, three assists, and four sacks, and a third quarter safety to lead the anti-quarterback movement. Joe Ocampo (2), Jered Lutu (1.5), Juan Kapileo (1), Fa-aea Talalemotu (1), Paul Camacho (1), Chico Reyes (1), Danny Punimata (1), and Fasefulu Tigilau (.5) all had their hands on Nitro QB’s.

The Chiefs’ offense wasn’t perfect either, as the highest scoring unit in the game accumulated only 68 yards passing and 99 yards on the ground. The Chiefs allowed the Nitro defense to penetrate its lines for seven sacks, and Danny Punimata got a chance to show his stuff under center after standout quarterback Clasley Ngeskebei was injured on a Juanis King sack on the Chiefs’ second series.

King had gotten to Ngeskebei previous to that, but this time the nimble QB never saw him coming.

Punimata rallied the troops for three touchdowns and got a huge lift from the running game. Stanley Iakopo had another successful day with 87 yards rushing on six carries, including a nine-yard scamper for a touchdown. Iakopo leads all running backs in gained ground with 234 yards, but his three touchdowns is second only to teammate Jeff Boyer. Boyer tacked on his fourth TD via a one yard plunge in the third quarter en route to compiling 23 hard yards on the day. Boyer reaffirmed his status as the second leading rusher in the league as he raised his total to 112 yards.

The Chiefs got a combined 32 yards on seven carries from John Benevente and Paul Guerrereo, but didn’t fare so well on the ground when their quarterbacks were forced to scramble.

Though he accounted for negative yardage on the ground, Punimata got on the board with a one-yard quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for the Nitro. There was no problem in the air, as Punimata got the ball to four different receivers. Mark Wallace reeled in a Punimata pass to lead all receivers with 29 yards, as did Bryan Moors with 16. Charleston Aiken grabbed a pair of passes from the QB for 14 yards and Iakopo contributed with four yards.

The Nitro defense did just about everything possible to hold the red and gold, as they creamed the opposing quarterback and made huge tackles. Defensive stalwart Keith Nabors had another solid day at the office, recording four tackles and seven assists to move into the league lead with 13 tackles and 21 assists.

The red and white were dynamite when it came to attacking the QB’a, as King (2), Raymond Aldan (1), Jack Reyes (.5), Brian Somol (.5), Jesse Sablan (.5), Henry Hofschneider (.5), and Jack Sablan (.5) led the sack attack.

Both teams certainly played inspired football—in fact maybe too inspired. The team of officials had to ice up their shoulders after throwing 33 penalty flags for 228 yards. After playing a disciplined second half against the Barbarians, the Nitro slipped a bit, but they now have two weeks to think about it before the return to the gridiron.

The tricks and treats of the CFL continues next Sunday, Oct. 31, when the Miller Barbarians make their return to the CPA Airport field to seek revenge upon the undefeated Shell Chiefs at 1pm on Halloween.