Team A Posts Incredible Win in Double Overtime

Sets Up Rematch with Team C for Championship Next Week

Matt Albert
TFL Press

CHAMPAIGN--It was easily the most emotional game of the regular season, and it was fitting that it was the final game before the championship rounds. Team A behind the passing of Quinn Fuechsl was able to upset Team C 42-35 in double overtime to close out the day. It clinched a berth in the championship game for Team A (2-1) who will face Team C (2-1) again next week but with much bigger stakes.



It was truly an entire team effort by Team A as Quinn Fuechsl threw 5 touchdown passes among 3 different receivers for the victory, none bigger than a 9 yard fade pattern to Brad Wheaton in the back corner of the end zone to win it in the second overtime. "I saw Team C had some superstar subs today, and it made me bring my 'A' game. We figured out their defense at halftime and used it to our advantage. It just all came together at the right time," said the victorious yet humble Fuechsl.

The receiver on the final play, Wheaton, gave his take on the play as well. "It was a perfect spiral from Quinn and I wasn't really thinking anything big. I just wanted to catch the ball because I hadn't really done that all day. It just felt great to catch one, but it was also great that it was the game winner." Wheaton caught only 2 passes for 13 yards; however, his last catch will be talked about in old timers' circles on creaky porches for years to come.

Also playing major roles for Team A were Joe Griglione and Andy Gradl. Griglione in his first week back from suspension caught 3 passes for 40 yards and had 2 touchdown receptions. He played as if he had something to prove after a weeklong ordeal of doping allegations. Griglione got right to the point in his postgame interview. "I'm just glad we made it to the championship game. I also deny those allegations."

Gradl had a brilliant game on both sides of the ball. He had 4 catches for 41 yards with 2 going for touchdowns. On defense, he had 3 tackles but 2 were sacks that came at extremely important junctures in the game. His first came as Team C tried to tie the game in regulation and his second came in the second overtime, just three plays before his team won it. "Twenty bucks is all it takes. I went to Payless (TM) and bought size 10 1/2 cleats. I really felt like I could do no wrong, and Team C's got nothing on me, nothing."



Not to be overlooked was the supporting cast of Team A as well. Rob Greathouse had 3 tipped passes at the line of scrimmage, and Allissa Carter had 2 tackles with one very important tipped pass. On Team C's possession in second overtime, she emphatically batted away a Calvin Braker pass to force the turnover on downs and set up the win for Team A.

For Team C, it was a day to reevaluate where they stand before next week's big game. They looked sharp offensively as Eric Forry was 11/23 for 82 yards and 4 touchdown passes. He also ran the ball 9 times for 34 yards and one touchdown.



But defensively, they were lacking as they gave up 6 touchdowns on the day. Calvin Braker was unable to intercept a pass for the first time this season, but his impact was felt in other ways. He had four tackles and led his team in that category along with Kevin Bassett and Mike West. Braker led his team in receiving with 3 catches for 41 yards. He now has 78 receiving yards on the season. Chris Preston in a substitution role also came up big with 3 catches for 28 yards.

Game Notes

If this game is only a preview of the rematch next week, then the championship game should be one of the best games this league has ever seen...Two of the season's best trash talking moments came from Val Billing and Allissa Carter. Early in the first half after Brad Wheaton made a first down, Val took exception to those who had a problem with him. "Hey ya'll, you do NOT talk to my man like that!" Carter's moment came right before her team won the game with Fuechsl's pass to Wheaton. "I have homework to do. We are NOT going to quintuple overtime again!"...The defender on the game winning pass was Zach Geller. Earlier in the week, Wheaton had made it clear to Geller that he was better by saying "You're mine Jewish Princess." Whether this affects next week's matchup remains to be seen.

All photos courtesty of TFL photographer and unintentional late night napper/party misser Michelle Lewis.