Blue Claws clip Sharks for flag football title

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Owen Porterfield of the Sharks dashed away from the Blue Claws' Scotty Lively to score the opening TD in the final. — Photo by Ralph Stewart

The Martha’s Vineyard Boys and Girls Club Flag Football season came to a close on Saturday with three bowl games, all of which were nailbiters.

In the championship game, the unbeaten Blue Claws kept their escutcheon clean, defeating the Sharks, 28-20. The game was decided on a 10-yard toss from Jacob Pendergraft to Morgan Estrella with 70 seconds remaining. Speedy Jack Murray was the game MVP. Jacob Pendergraft and Hunter Cleary were also standouts for the champs.

In the Chowder Bowl, where third and fourth place honors were up for grabs, the Islanders squeezed by the Anglers, 20-14. The game might have set a record for length as the contest took 40 minutes of regulation and three alternating overtime periods before game MVP Jeremy Reagan pierced the goal line to put the Islanders ahead. The Anglers had one more opportunity to knot the score but the Islander defense held its ground and sealed the win.

Playing in the Chili Bowl to decide fifth and sixth place in the final league standings, were the Volunteers and The Rock. The Vols won their first game of the season in a cliffhanger, 20-14. Tied with seconds to go, Chris Patnaude connected with Sam Wallace for the game-deciding touchdown.

The Boys & Girls Club is grateful to all the coaches, parents and volunteers for all their help in making the Flag Football season such a positive experience for a sizeable crew of youngsters.