By Tanner Vinski, Fourth Down Fiasco
The Paris Musketeers found themselves trailing the Madrid Bravos 12-6 with two minutes left in their European League of Football game this past weekend but rallied for a late touchdown and then booted an overtime field goal to defeat the Bravos 15-12.
Up until that point, the game had been a disaster for the Paris offense. They had not been able to find any sense of cohesion throughout the game despite running back Chris Voumbo having the first score of the night on a 13 yard draw with 14 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Unfortunately, Paris kicker Mathys Dupont had his extra attempt blocked and the game began to turn towards Madrid’s favor as the Musketeers offense stalled out completely. With just under 10 minutes to go in the third quarter, Madrid running back Edu Molina turned on the jets and raced 52 yards to the end zone leading to a 6-6 tie. Five minutes later, Madrid quarterback Steven Duncan led his offense on an 88 yard scoring drive that he capped off with a magnificent 51 yard strike to wide receiver Eduardo Pérez to give the visitors a 12-6 lead. The game then began to slow down significantly and drives for both offenses stalled out consistently. However, in the second half, Paris was finally able to find rhythm and the stumbling offense seemed to be rejuvenated.
Photo: @maximelepihif
Paris quarterback Zach Edwards had the opportunity to perform the two minute drill to hopefully win the game in regulation, marching his team 69 yards. The drive began with a 15 yard strike from Edwards to wide receiver Austin Mitchell to get the offense to the 50 yard line with a minute and 33 seconds remaining. At this point, Edwards took full control of the game. After an incompletion, he scrambled for 20 yards to get his team to Madrid’s 35 yard line. After another first down, Edwards had his team with a 1st and 10 with 18 seconds remaining the game. He then called his own number once again and scrambled for 25 yards to score despite being met by three Madrid defenders on the goal line. This tied the score at 12-12 giving Dupont a chance to seal the game. Tragedy struck once again for Paris as Dupont shanked the extra point leading to OT.
Decisive overtime
Madrid won the toss and began the drive at their own 35 yard line with the opportunity to score for the first time since the third quarter. Earlier in the game, the Bravos had botched a field goal attempt that resulted in a a dead drive. These snapping woes reared their ugly heads at the start of this overtime period as Bravos center Celestin Ngimbi snapped the ball too low and Duncan was not able to get a grip on the ball and fumbled it. Paris recovered the ball giving Dupont a chance at redemption. He did not miss this time, booting a 23 yard field goal clinching a playoff berth for the Musketeers.
Photo: @maximelepihif
Playoff Picture
Going into this game, the playoff implications were massive for both the Musketeers and Bravos. This proved to be true as Paris has punched their ticket to the big dance and Madrid now sits on the outside looking in. Fortunately for Madrid, their playoff aspirations are not hopeless as there is still a path to entry to the post season in the team’s inaugural season. The Bravos can still clinch the sixth seed with a win in week 14 against the Hamburg Sea Devils and a Raiders Tirol loss to the Munich Ravens. The Musketeers still have a lot on the line going into week 14 as a win over the Frankfurt Galaxy clinches them the #4 seed while a loss puts them in the #5 spot. If Paris wants to ensure homefield advantage in their playoff matchup they will have to pull off a win against the Galaxy.