Chiefs Pullout Double-Overtime Win Versus Campus Magnet

By Jerry Del Priore

The Canarsie Chiefs’ football game versus Campus Magnet would’ve gone the other way in years past. But Canarsie somehow found a way to upend the Bull Dogs, 16-8, in double overtime Sunday at home.

Head coach Kyle Allen can’t pinpoint why the tide has turned for the Chiefs so far this season, but, he said, maybe it’s from the family losses he had in recent memory, providing some divine intervention for his squad.

“We would’ve found a way to lose,”Allen said of past seasons’ failures. “I don’t know if the tables have turned, or the football gods are smiling on us,” Allen said. “I don’t know if it’s because I lost so many people in my family, and maybe I’m getting blessings from above. I don’t know what it is, but we’re getting breaks now.”

Canarsie (3-2) spent the majority of the first quarter, which was marred by penalties and fumbles, at a standstill with the Bull Dogs.

But senior running back Johnny Watson rumbled into the end zone on a 32-yard carry, followed by his successful two-point conversion rush that put them ahead, 8-0, in the second quarter.

Much to the Chiefs’ chagrin, Campus Magnet (3-2) tied the game, 8-8, near the end of the first half.

Both teams had several opportunities to score in regulation, but seemed to be allergic to the  end zone.

It took an up-for-grabs 14-yard touchdown pass in the end zone, collared by lanky junior wide receiver Adisa Isaac, that gave Canarsie a 14-8 advantage. Senior quarterback Sameer Akesson ran in the two-point conversion to extend the Chiefs’ lead to 16-8.

With a chance to knot the contest for the Bull Dogs, junior Elijah Lewis stepped up and made his second interception in OT to keep the opposition at bay, and ended the tilt in delirious fashion for Canarsie.

While the Chiefs walked away with the victory, Allen said it should’ve have went down that way. They need to have more efficient, fully attended practices in order to win games easier.

“This game shouldn’t have been that hard,” the sixth-year coach emphasized after the tilt. “We’re still not getting good, crisp practices. We’re still missing kids at practices. Too many excuses, and that turns into issues for us on Saturdays and Sundays.”

Watson led the ground attack with 168 yards on 28 touches and Akesson amassed 80 on 18 attempts. Isaac had a solid game on defense, registering five tackles, three for losses, and a sack.

The Chiefs travel to Flushing Memorial Field Saturday at noon to take on the Red Devils.