Lightning strike twice in youth league

The Eastern Lightning players and officials pose for a photo after beating the Southern Thunder in the finals of the Commonwealth Football League Association’s 2014 Youth Football League last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field. (Jon Perez)

The Eastern Lightning rushed their way to a second straight title after rallying past the Southern Thunder, 30-14, in the finals of the Commonwealth Football League Association 2014 Youth Football League last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.

The Dave Ada-coached Eastern crew found themselves in unfamiliar territory after trailing early in the first quarter. It was the first time that the Lightning fell behind in a match after posting lopsided wins over the Thunder and the Northern Vikings in the elimination round. The Lightning held their opponents to 13 points a game in the elimination, including a 32-0 blanking of the Thunder on Dec. 20.

Southern quarterback Norman Cabrera was instrumental in the Thunder’s early strike when he found Scottson Suda free from his defenders and the latter gifted his team with a 35-yard touchdown.

Donavin Ada, just before the opening period ended, put the Lightning on the board and tied the game with a kick-off return for a TD. Zander Tkel, moments later, ran for the 2-point conversion to put Eastern on top.

It was almost the same play in the second period, as Ada scored on a 32-yard TD run with Tkel adding two more points to give the Lightning a 16-6 lead at the turn.

It was an all Lightning show from thereon with Gregorio Sablan scoring on a 36-yard TD run and Jose Camacho pushing the lead to 18 with a 2-point conversion, 24-6.

The Eastern Lightning’s Zander Tkel, left, tries to find an open teammate, while being chased by Jeremy Agulto, 6, and George Satoshi, 91, in their title game in the Commonwealth Football League Association’s 2014 Youth Football League last Saturday at the CPA Airport Field. (Jon Perez)

The Thunder had several chances to score with Napu Atalig catching a Norman Cabrera pass against two Lightning defenders at the 10-yard line before being taken down. Southern, however, failed to score due to penalties that included a 5-yard loss on a false start called on the offensive line.

The game was also halted for almost 20 minutes as a Thunder player suffered a whiplash after accidentally being hit by a Lightning player. The Thunder player was conscious when EMS personnel arrived and he was later taken to the Commonwealth Health Center.

Kimo Angailen, when play resumed, made it 30-6 after a 4-yard TD run.

The Lightning defense held their own against the Thunder’s numerous tries of trimming down the deficit.

Cabrera managed to trick the Lightning defense with a 35-yard TD pass to Napu Atalig midway in the fourth. The Thunder quarterback ran for the 2-point conversion.

That proved to be the final tally, as time was not on the Thunder’s side and the Lightning tightened up their defense.

Sablan, Ada and Tkel outrushed the entire Thunder, combining for 150 rushing yards against their opponent’s 39.

The Lightning, for the first time, had less passing yards as Ada and Tkel combined for only 28 compared to the 129 by Cabrera, Brent Azarcon, and Jerett Rosario. The Thunder also had more receiving yards with 129 against the 28 of Sablan and Tkel.

Donnie Fejeran had 7 tackles to lead the Eastern defense, while Alvin Pua had 6 and 1 sack. Kermenes Terry Jr. and Augustine Aguon had 4.5 tackles each with Angailen ending up with 3.5.

Franko Bondoc had 6 tackles for the Thunder, while N-Nes Siech made 4.5.

Meanwhile, the Lightning, who recorded their fifth straight win and 10th since last year’s inaugural season, will now travel down south in Guam to take on a team composed of youth league squads Eagles and Raiders in a friendly match this Saturday.