The Eastern Lightning dropped a 12-6 decision against Team Guam in the Second Annual Marianas Youth Football Friendship Games held last Saturday at the Raiders field in Tiyan.<\/p>\n
The game was tied at 6-6 with less than 10 seconds to go when Team CNMI\u2019s defense collapsed and allowed the hosts to reach the end zone for the final tally.<\/p>\n
Though the Lighting fell short, it was a big improvement on the visiting squad\u2019s performance after being blown out the first time the two teams met in November 2013 on Saipan.<\/p>\n
Lightning quarterback Donavin Ada tried to lead the visitors\u2019 offensive thrust early in the game, but the Guam defense held their own and later forced them to punt.<\/p>\n
Guam, in their offensive drive, managed to reach halfway of the field. Gabriel Stanley then cut through the CNMI defense to reach the end zone and put the hosts on the board, 6-0.<\/p>\n
The Lightning pair of Ada and Zander Tkel struck hard in the second period to tie the ball- game.<\/p>\n
Ada put Team CNMI within 20 yards, while Tkel finished the job after puncturing to a host of Guam defenders to the delight of the Lightning bench.<\/p>\n
The game seemed headed into overtime as the score stood at 6-6 until the final seconds of the fourth period.<\/p>\n
Guam, however, would not want to disappoint the hometown crowd and found a way to sneak past the CNMI defense for the game-winning play that broke the hearts of the visiting squad.<\/p>\n
Despite the loss, Commonwealth Football League Association president John Blanco commended the gallant effort put up by the Dave Ada-coached Lightning crew.<\/p>\n
A third goodwill match is scheduled in November, which Saipan would be hosting at the CPA Airport Field.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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