Dominance key in second-round victories on NE

By James Nwankpah/reporter

TakeEd2Bed showed its dominance, beating two opponents in powerful fashion during NE Campus’ second round of flag football Oct. 17.

After an impressive performance last week in which they won the opening game 22-0, quarterback Edward Margeneau and his teammates showed up in dominant fashion as they began the afternoon.

Although the games were set up in a tournament style, the games held no merit as far as rankings or competition against other campuses. “It is a tournament in the sense the winners of each game played the other winners, but there is no bearing in wins. The whole thing is just for fun,” said event organizer Luis Suarez.

Game one put TakeEd2Bed against the Stepdads who, according to quarterback Martin Kaepernick, followed the mantra “you hate us, we beat you.” Unfortunately for the Stepdads, TakeEd2Bed had no sense of hate or fear as it achieved its second straight shutout victory, 21-0.

NE Campus students play hard during the second round of NE’s flag football playoffs Oct. 17. James Nwankpah/The Collegian
NE Campus students play hard during the second round of NE’s flag football playoffs Oct. 17. James Nwankpah/The Collegian

Margeneau put on another stellar performance completing five out of his six attempts for 125 yards and three touchdowns. The quarterback owed a large portion of his stats to receiver Edram Mubasher who excelled with two catches for 75 yards, each for touchdowns.

Mubasher also added an interception from his safety position on defense that helped his squad pull off the win.

“It felt great,” he said. “We had a great offensive mindset, and we just came out and executed. It also helped that we all seemed to be on the same page as our quarterback.”

Kaepernick and Robbie Meuangsonphou both took snaps at quarterback for the Stepdads combining for two completions on five attempts for 17 yards and one interception.

The second game took place between the Average Joes and the Power Lifters. This would turn out to be the longest game of the day, spanning a strenuous four overtimes before the Average Joes pulled out a win, 20-14.

Joes quarterback Chandler Hoekstra led the way completing 13 of 27 pass attempts for 205 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. For the Power Lifters, Gabriel Ubaldo would lead as the starting passer going 5-for-8 on the day with 45 yards and one interception before being relieved by Chase Green.

Green put up a valiant effort going 10-of-18 for 138 yards with one touchdown in addition to his three catches for 42 yards, one touchdown and his two defensive interceptions and a pass deflection. However, this was not enough for the Power Lifters as they fell to the Average Joes who went on to the final round of competition.

Green and a few of his Power Lifters teammates were picked up by the depleted Average Joes in an attempt to beef up their roster for the last game against TakeEd2Bed. That strategy seemed to have promise as Green kicked things off catching a deep, 45-yard touchdown from Hoekstra (5-10, 82 yards, one TD) to match the 35-yard score Margeneau had thrown to Mubasher, making the score an even 8-8.

But, as it had proven in its previous two games, TakeEd2Bed had too much offensive firepower and defeated the Average Joes 22-8. Margeneau had six completions on seven attempts for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Mubasher and fellow receiver Josh McCain combined for five catches with 128 yards and all three touchdowns. But secret weapon Chris Mendiola ended the game with a 10-yard catch for the final two-point conversion.

“Professionalism with a side of professionalism kept us at a high level of play these past two days of play while we utilized our underlying determination to win it all,” Mendiola said.
The day provided a great atmosphere for all of the teams, event organizer Aamer Qureshi said.

“It was perfect weather that made for great conditions for the flag games,” Qureshi said. “I’m just glad everyone came out and had a good time.”