And then there were two. The 2011 Flag Bowl playoffs have followed the same script as the 2010 version, with the Shock squeezing by the Jokers and the Beavers defeating the Agents in semi-final action to set up a Shock-Beavers final for the second year in a row.
Can the Beavers change the script and win the championship? We'll find out Saturday.
The Shock, gunning for their 5th consecutive title, had their hands full with the Jokers - again. The Shock had advanced to the semis with a 34-8 win over the Warriors, while the Jokers won their quarter-final by a 9pt margin over the Bruzers. Points were at a premium in this game though, with the leg of Chris Graham proving the difference. Down 6-0 in the second half, Graham kicked two field goals and a single to give the Shock a tough 7-6 win and a championship berth. This is the second year in a row that the Jokers have fallen one point short against the Shock as they lost 18-17 in the 2010 semi-final as well.
The Beavers have overcome adversity two weeks in a row to return to the final. In the quarter-finals, the Beavers battled the upstart Big Dogs in a see-saw affair that saw a late field goal by Jason Graham lift the squad to a 32-29 win. The Agents advanced to the semis with a tough 21-9 win over the Eagles and the league's top scoring team was looking to avenge last year's semi-final defeat at the hands of the Beavers. It was not to be. Trailing by 8 points in the second half, the Agents tried an on-side kick which the Beavers Graham returned for a TD. The Agents scored on their next possession to close the gap again and tried another onside kick which Mark Whelan returned for a TD to clinch the victory.
So, the Shock will try for an unprecedented 5th consecutive title against the Beavers. This is the fifth meeting in a championship game and the teams are 2-2 against each other. Last's year's 4-1 win by the Shock was a classic defensive battle and it may be more of the same this year. Look for the Graham brothers to hold the key to victory for both teams - with the winning team likely to have the Graham that scores the most. All in all, should be a great final!
Flag Bowl 2011 takes place Saturday November 26th at Wright Field with the schedule as follows:
10:00 Consolation Final - Bruzers vs Big Dogs
12:00 "B" Final - Agents vs Jokers
2:00 Championship Final - John Boylan Cup - Shock vs Beavers
Banquet to follow at the old Alliston Arena at 7:30 pm
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