Teregeyo lifts Barbarians over Nitro

With 83 seconds remaining, Syl Teregeyo picked up a rolling football and returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown to give the Miller Barbarians their third win of the 2004 Commonwealth Football League season, as they just barely made it past the Verizon Nitro, 20-16, Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.

After the Barbarians defense managed to hold Verizon on three downs deep in their own territory, Jack Aldan got away a booming punt that was unable to be fielded. Teregeyo chased the ball as it rolled along the field to his left, and tight-roped down the sideline before dancing his way across the goal line for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.

“I was just going to lay down on the ball, but I saw (LeRoy Sablan and Jay Tilipao) ahead of me, so I ran it and followed their blocks,” said Teregeyo.

Teregeyo’s late game heroics gave the game its third lead change, and was just one of several highlights that put a capper on what many in attendance referred to as the best game of the season.

“It was the baddest game of the season. Syl is the man,” said future Barbarian hopeful Vic Rivera.

Teregeyo finished the day with three tackles and a key interception that stopped the Nitro deep in Barbarians’ territory early in the game. Verizon eventually got on the board when first-year cornerback C.J. Hofschneider of Tinian High School returned a punt for a touchdown in the third quarter to tie the game.

“I was just thinking ‘Take it to the house’ and we were going in (the end zone),” said Hofschneider.

The Nitro took the lead in the fourth quarter when a bad snap allowed Aldan to tackle Kaipat in the end zone for a safety on the next drive, 8-6. A Jack Barcinas sack of Carmen Cabrerra resulted in a fumble and excellent field position for the Barbarians the next series. Tagabuel led the black and gold down field, and squeezed in for a one-yard touchdown to retake the lead, 14-8.

On the next kick-off, Blake Manibusan returned the ball for the Nitro to the Verizon 49 yard line, and on the first play of the drive, running back James Hargrove got the ball on a fake reverse and threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open George Lieto to give the Nitro the 16-14 lead late in the game.

The Nitro were able to stop the Barbarians on the ensuing drive, but were unable to maintain possession, and were forced to punt with a little over a minute and a half remaining.

“I’m still recovering from the heart attack that they gave me. That game was way too close. If this isn’t a wake up call, then I don’t know what is,” said Barbarians’ head coach Clyde Lemons.

Though the Barbarians managed only to rack up a mere 84 yards of offense, they received a solid game from their defense and special teams units to help carry them through. Quarterback Plasido Tagabuel had a difficult day under center, as the Barbarians’ signal caller completed just one of 13 passes for eight yards.

“This game was won by our defense, Syl (Teregeyo), and Roy (Kaipat),” said Tagabuel.

“Plas Pass” didn’t have to have a great day, because running back Chong Won broke through for his best game of the year. Won rushed 15 times for 86 yards, thanks in part to his offensive line that at times opened up holes big enough to drive a truck through.

The Barbarians also got a great game from runner/kicker/punter/passer Roy Kaipat. In his first game back since suffering an injury to his knee in the season opener, Kaipat took the ball for most of the plays on the Barbarians’ final drive of the game that led to a one yard touchdown run by Tagabuel. Kaipat said that he didn’t think that he would be able to play that long in the game, but he ran the ball 14 times for 42 yards, threw a pass from the backfield, booted three kick-offs, and had six punts—including a 49 yarder.

In his absence, the Nitro have improved a bit since the last time that Kaipat had the opportunity to watch the team, and it caught him off-guard a bit.

“I was scared. They kept coming back to take the lead. It was a tough game—they surprised us”.

The Verizon Nitro surprised a lot of people on Saturday, and while the emotional rollercoaster had fans on the edge of their seats, coach Andre Winston was, too.

“I can’t even think—I’m just overwhelmed. It’s just another week of progression. Each week the guys are gaining confidence and learning to execute,” he said.

Winston was so into the game that he donned the pads for his team for the first time since he played semi-pro in 2000. Big number 77 trotted out onto the field in a maroon jersey and figured into a few plays recording a tackle.

“It was more of a motivation technique—a tool for the guys. I wanted them to know that their coach was willing to put it on the line for his players,” he said.

The Nitros almost doubled the Barbarians offensive output with 161 overall. While his numbers don’t reflect it, first-year quarterback Carmen Cabrera had a solid outing, completing 3-of-15 passes for 26 yards and two interceptions.

“I just woke up this morning and said that today was going to be the day. I give lots of credit to George (Lieto) and James (Hargrove). We did great today, and we’ll make it up next week against the Chiefs,” said Cabrera.

A product of the Eastern Eagles of the youth league, Cabrera was confidently moving his squad down the field all day, and he received plenty of assistance from running backs James Hargrove and Ham “The Hammer” Haro. The Hammer rushed took the ball twice for 16 yards, while Hargrove ground out 54 yards on 11 carries and a two-point conversion.

Hargrove also provided a spark in the air, throwing two passes for 76 yards, and wide receiver Lieto finished with three receptions for 99 yards to lead all pass catchers on the day,, bringing his total to 190 yards on the season with one game remaining.

“We’re improving and gaining confidence, and our offense is getting going,” said Hofschneider.

The heart pounding action of the CFL continues next Saturday, Nov. 13, when the Verizon Nitros return to the CPA Airport field to take on the undefeated Shell Chiefs in the final game of the regular season at 10am.