Queens Falcons Grounded By Kings Bay, 20-2

The  Bantam team — ages 13-14— weren't able to stop a strong Kings Bay, Brooklyn squad, as they lost 20-2 in the NYCYFL championship game Sunday afternoon at Wagner College in Staten Island.

After a scoreless first quarter, Kings Bay, blocked a punt and recovered the ball at the Falcons' 25 to start the second. The turnover allowed a 25-yard touchdown scamper that gave the Broklynites a 6-0 lead.

Queens had their chance to tie the contest, but fumbled on fourth and inches, with the Jaguars recovering the ball at the two-yard line.

The Falcons' defense, coupled with Kings Bay penalties, pinned the opposition deep in their own territory. Instead of risking a possible botched punt for a touchdown, the Jaguars opted to take a safety, brining the margin to 6-2 in the second quarter.

Moving the ball into the Jaguars' red zone, Queens once again had an opportunity to score a touchdown late in the second, but a snap over the quarterback's head ended the drive and the first half with the Falcons still behind four points.

On fourth and eleven, the Jaguars, who play their home games in Sheepshead Bay, connected on a 21-yard touch strike that extended its advantage to 12-2 in the third.

To make matters worse for the Falcons, with seconds left in the third quarter, the Jaguars found pay dirt again on a 12-yard touchdown rush, followed by a two-point conversion run that gave them a commanding 20-2 lead.

Queens had another crack at scoring a touchdown, but the Jaguars stymied them at the one-yard line, turning over the ball on downs late in the fourth period.

Head coach Neil O'Donnell acknowledged that his team struggled at times during the contest, but he was proud of the Falcons for their season-long stellar effort.

 "It was a tough game today. We had a couple of opportunities to get ahead, but mental errors will kill you in a football game," O'Donnell said. "But the season was great, the boys played their hearts out, and I'm very, very proud of them."