The 29-year-old, pending free agent quarterback shrugged off his Super Saturday hex in leading the Independence Walkers (13-9) to their first championship game since reforming in 2007. Banker threw for five scores, two to all-star H-back D'Ronald McCovey, and did not turn the ball over as Independence stampeded the once-vaunted Long Island Amazin' (14-8) defense.
Long Island scored on their second play from scrimmage, as Curt Anes (22/39, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) found veteran WR Louis Johnson on a go route to put the Amazin' up a TD. The lead would hold until 1:38 before halftime, as Banker rolled out and threw the first of two scores to McCovey on a play action, third-and-goal strike that would set the tone for the second half.
The Independence offense went on a run starting midway through the third quarter, scoring touchdowns on five of six possessions, aided by two Anes turnovers in Long Island territory. Banker completed 14 of 16 passes during the stretch and threw scores to McCovey, WR LeRon Brackett, rookie WR Dan Henning, and HB DeAngelo Morris.
Anes was knocked out of the game midway through the fourth on a blindside hit by pass rush specialist Corey Wilk, who registered 11.5 sacks and 18 hurries during the regular season. He was replaced by backup Kelly Condon, who had little success on two desperate Long Island drives before the clock struck zero.
No comments:
Post a Comment