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Two of the more established teams of the IFFL met in the quarterfinals of the Spring 2006 championship tournament yesterday when CCR Novas took on Larrys at Hook Road field. The Novas got the ball first and worked the ball downfield using a combination of quick slants, inside patterns, and double-passes. On 3rd and 15 from the 35 Larrys sacked Novas QB John Hering bringing up 4th and two cones from the 42. The Novas elected to go for it and it paid off when Hering found RB Pete Angstadt all alone in the endzone for the easy score. The extra point by K Jarrod Nagowski made it 7-0. After a quick first down the Larrys offense stalled with Novas DE John Finlay coming up with a clutch sack on third down. Larrys elected to punt and the Novas offense took over and again marched down the field. On third down from about the Larrys` 35, the Novas O-line provided Hering with plenty of time and he hit WR David Szcesniak in the endzone for touchdown #2 and a 14-0 lead. The Larrys moved the ball across midfield on their next possession, but gave the ball back to the Novas on downs with 11 seconds remaining in the half. The Novas used one play to get down to the Larrys` 20 with two seconds left in the half, but Nagowski`s FG try was wide right and the halftime score remained 14-0. The Larrys came out with more purpose and energy in the second half and used a long time consuming drive to get within 7 points. Larrys energetic guard (#7) made several key receptions on the drive including the 5 yard TD score. Back within breathing distance, Larrys defense clamped down on the Novas next drive, and looked poised to get the ball back when the Novas stared down a 3rd and 20 inside their own territory. But the Novas responded when G Tom White hit Hering for a first-down on a long double pass. OL Billy Bayne threw two key blocks to buy White the time necessary to survey the field and find the open man. With only two minutes left the Larrys needed a turnover to have a chance, but the Novas converted one more first down before Hering scrambled in for the clinching score. Larrys conceded the extra point and the final score was 21-7. From CCR: Thanks Larrys. It was another fun, hard-fought game with you guys. We converted some long third and fourth downs or it could have been a different story.