The Gilroy Browns Junior Midgets advanced to the Peninsula Pop Warner championship game after a double-overtime 28-22 victory over the Daly City Titans this weekend.
With the score tied 14-14 entering the first overtime, the Browns had the ball first and scored in three plays, using a Kevin Onyejekwe touchdown run plus a 2-point conversion to take a 22-14 lead.
After shutting down the Titans on first, second and third downs, Daly City quarterback managed to complete a touchdown pass despite heavy pressure. The Titans converted their 2-point try to send the game into the second overtime.
The Browns’ defense shut down the Titans on four straight downs, and on the second play of offense, Onyejekwe crossed the goal line to punctuate the Browns 28-22 win.
Before the late-game fireworks, the Titans scored first to take a 6-0 lead. The Browns offense went to work on the 20-yard line with runs inside and outside. Quarterback Freddy Mireles connected with wide receiver Charles Good III for a 64-yard touchdown pass. Adding the 2-point try and the Browns took an 8-6 lead heading into the second quarter – where the defense came to life.
Key tackles by Eddie Prado, Onyejekwe, Good, Brendon Lerma, Devin Scatena, Anthony Lopez, Henry Gallegos, Mireles, Matthew Olivier, Conner Doyle, Anthony Bollendorf, Juan Gallegos, Darren Santos, Joseph Avendano, Anthony Corral, Christopher McCain helped shut down the Daly City offense.
Onyejekwe scored on a 15-yard sweep to left side for a 14-6 halftime lead.
At the start of the third quarter, with the power-running game of Gallegos and Villarreal, the Browns marched down the field to the Titans’ 25-yard line before a costly turnover gave the ball to the Titans.
Both teams moved the ball, but neither could score in the third quarter. With a broken play at the start of the fourth, the Titans reached pay dirt and added their 2-point conversion to know matters at14-14.
Each team had opportunity to win the game in regulation.
The Browns turned the ball over on their own 30-yard line with five minutes left in the game, however the defense made a stand and held the Titans on four straight downs to earn the ball back with three minutes left in the game. After a costly penalty moved the ball back five yards, the Browns went to the air only to be stopped short of the first down. Pinned deep in their own territory on fourth down, the Titans set up a punt return, but the Browns had other plans as a fake punt was called. Punter/running back Henry Gallegos took the snap and ran 60 down to the Titans’ 25-yard line with 40 seconds left in the game.
After a few shots to the end zone, the Browns came up empty and time ran out with score 14-14.
The championship game is scheduled for Sunday at 4 p.m. at Andrew Hill High School in San Jose against the undefeated Berkeley Junior Bears.
– The Browns Junior Pee Wee ended its season with a tough loss to an undefeated Redwood City team 32-0 in the semifinals.
