The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE rivalry between the Orry J Sands Pros and BaOilCo Jets entered a new chapter as the Commonwealth American Football League delivered a thriller between the two clubs in the season opener.

Davaughn Bain had a highlight reel 50-yard touchdown pass for the go-ahead score, with just under a minute left to play, to give the Pros a 20-14 win over the Jets at the DW Davis Field on Saturday.

The Jets nearly responded to tie or win with a successful conversion, but the drive stalled in the redzone with nine seconds left to play.

Following an injury to Jets quarterback Drameco Clarke, Philmon Rolle shifted from running back to quarterback and delivered a standout performance with two touchdown passes.

Rolle’s first touchdown gave the Jets a 6-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Pros’ special teams would score the equaliser on the ensuing play when Ashley Roberts scored on an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Jamaal Scavella would make a reception for a successful conversion and an 8-6 lead.

Neither team was able to score in the third quarter and defensively, each team forced a turnover on an interception, first by the Jets’ Tyneiko Williams and by the Pros’ Theron Smith.

Scoring picked up for both teams in the fourth quarter, with three touchdowns between them.

After a series of runs by Charles Edwards to place the Pros in the redzone, quarterback Renaldo Dorsett scored on a sneak at the goaline, but a failed conversion kept the score 14-6.

Rolle would connect with Jamaal Butler for another deep pass play down the sideline and the Jets would tie the game at 14 on a successful conversion.

After both stalled on drives and the game appeared headed to overtime, Dorsett connected with Bain on the go-ahead touchdown pass.

“The first game was a sloppy game. I think we could have done a lot of things a whole lot better. You don’t win championships in week one, so this is the foundation that we build on,” Pros coach Sherwin Johnson said. “Sloppy, but it was a win nonetheless. They’ll be fine, but the guys have to learn to play through mistakes and not get frustrated.”

Ashley Roberts and our special teams was very good and so was our pass rush with Eugene Bain, so there were some bright spots.”

Jets’ head coach Tito Bethel applauded Rolle’s effort under center, but also cited special teams as the separating factor.

“It was a bit of a sloppy play. The guy who filled in was new at quarterback, but for the most part he did an excellent job, just one or two things we need to iron out and synchronise to make sure everything comes together,” he said.

“Special teams for the most part was the downfall of our game. On the first special teams play when we kicked the ball, we missed tackles and he returned the ball for a touchdown.”

Opening day featured a performance by the Urban Renewal Band. They performed the national anthem and a spectacular and extremely entertaining halftime show.

They played a mixture of Bahamian and American songs like “Naughty Johnny” and “Survivor” for the breast cancer survivors and the Bahamas Cancer Society who attended and are in partnership with the CAFL to further increase breast cancer awareness.

The CAFL released 150 pink balloons during the opening day to signal the observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the opening of the CAFL 2013-14 season.