While I was writing my predictions for the Youth League postseason tournament, I admittedly wanted to see if the CARDINALS would be able to avenge their two regular season losses to the RAVENS and win the championship. Given that the average margin of victory for the RAVENS in their games against the CARDS was five points, I figured that the BIRDS would be able to clean up some of their mistakes and surprise the RAVENS with an effective game plan.

BOY WAS I WRONG!

In a championship matchup (which I correctly predicted by the way) between the top two seeded teams, the RAVENS parlayed a 20-0 halftime lead into a 26-7 win.

Powered by the otherworldly skill set of star player Shea “Butter” Champine, the RAVENS shredded the CARDINAL defense. To start the game Champine picked off CARDS’ Quarterback Sam Kelly and returned the interception for a touchdown. Overall, Champine rushed for a TD and caught two pick-6 interceptions.

In addition to Champine’s stellar game, the RAVENS had two more playmakers that contributed to the big win. Quarterback Luca Michnowicz picked off Kelly and returned the ball to the CARDS’ three yard line to set up his TD throw to teammate Aiden Sekelik.

Unfortunately for Kelly’s team, the CARDS were unable to turn the game into a shootout. Two killer turnovers that ended in TDs for the RAVENS devastated the CARDINALS. The lone bright spot for the BIRDS’ offense came late in the game after the outcome was pretty much decided. Kelly pump faked to one of his receivers, and then quickly put the ball in Kalondre Stokes’s hands. Stokes did the rest by aggressively running past RAVENS’ defenders all the way to the end zone.

The game ended after RAVENS’ Pass Rusher Evan Lambert collected back-to-back sacks against Kelly as time expired.

CONGRATULATIONS RAVENS!