The Jamestown Chiefs of the Northern Football Alliance gave plenty for the hometown fans to be proud of at Strider Field on Saturday.
The Chiefs (2-3) played intense defense, got a few key plays from the special teams unit and scored just enough points to fend off a fourth quarter rally as they edged the Watertown Revolution, 14-13.
It was a big win for the Chiefs on a big night for the second-year franchise, which gave back to its fans by offering a kids day on Saturday before heading into a bye week and spending two weeks on the road.
The families on hand witnessed a monumental win.
''It's the first time as a franchise we've beaten a ranked team,'' head coach and Chiefs owner Joe Scapelitte said. ''Last year they finished third in our league and we knew they were a quality team. We knew it was going to be a tough battle in Jamestown today and it was right down to the wire. Our guys just gave a fantastic effort-all the way down the line.''
After capitalizing on a late turnover, the Revolution had a chance to win the game in the final seconds with four downs inside the 10-yard line. Jamestown's defense held them to a field goal attempt on fourth down and the special teams did the rest. The kick was blocked and when the clock ran out, there was reason to celebrate on Martin Road.
After one big special teams play from Esteban Cordova put the Chiefs on the board with a touchdown, it was fitting that special teams closed the game with a blocked kick in the final seconds.
''Barry Wright, our special teams coach, works with the guys and we try to dedicate at least 30 minutes of each practice to special teams,'' Scapelitte said. ''As you can see, it pays off.''
Jamestown's first scoring drive started in the red zone after Cordova tackled the punter in the backfield. Frank Vicary Jr. found paydirt from two yards out to put the Chiefs on the board early. It was 6-0 at halftime, but the Revolution tied the game in the third quarter on a 36-yard touchdown pass.
Jamestown regained the lead just before the fourth quarter started with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Bryan Voorhis to Anthony Azevedo. The extra point was good, but there was a whole quarter left to be played.
Watertown added a touchdown shortly into the fourth, but the missed extra point would loom large as the Jamestown defense held on the rest of the way to the one-point advantage.
''This was a team effort,'' Scapelitte added. ''Our defense as always played great. When you hold Watertown to 13 points after they scored 55 last week-our defense is phenomenal. We're still working on the offense. They have the talent but we're just trying to adjust and develop.''
There's plenty of new faces in 2010-especially at the skill positions for Jamestown. key players Brian Hardy at wide receiver and cornerback Ricky Gonzalez return for their second season, but overall, Scapelitte likes the makeup of his roster.
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''We had a good team last year and I think we have a better team this year,'' Scapelitte said. ''I think it has finally caught on in the area and people from community are coming around and trying to play on the team. We do have some players from Erie and some from Cattaraugus County, but most of them are local boys.''
Voorhis, the man under center, has running back Shawn Dejesus in the backfield and weapons Hardy and Azevedo at wideout. It's a pass-happy offense in 2010, making ever Saturday exciting. The defense is anchored by ball-hawk Anthony Hammer, linebacker Mark Brooks and blitzing safety John Foster.
The Chiefs head into their bye week with five games left on the regular season schedule and already have as many wins as they had in their inaugural season last year. Scapelitte and the hometown team will be using the victory over Watertown on Saturday as a cornerstone win for the franchise and one they can build the future of Jamestown Chiefs football around.
''Word of mouth goes around,'' Scapelitte said of recruiting players. ''If there's a football team and there's a football player who comes to the stadium and says to himself, 'I want to play for that team.' He comes out to the team, tries out and once he makes the team we put him in a position.''
The Chiefs are ready to be a mainstay in the Jamestown community.
