Minneapolis finishes undefeated run, pulls away in fourth

BALTIMORE - For three and a half quarters, the Orlando Intimidators showed they had what it took to win a second championship. Then, finally, the Minneapolis Maulers pulled away. How'd they do it? With newly-crowned MVP Rocco Marconi, of course. The Minneapolis Maulers are your undisputed Winter 15 SFL Champions - a 42-24 victory over Orlando from Wayland Corporate Field in Baltimore.

While Marconi was good, Championship Game MVP Ayanojyo Aburatsubo was great. Aburatsubo scored every one of Minneapolis' touchdowns, on a day that James Cooley was held to a season low in receptions (8) and yards (120) and tight end Marcus Campbell went without a catch. Aburatsubo's six touchdowns set a new league record. His 298 yards on 16 receptions was also a new league record ... on the biggest stage. His six touchdown performance capped a record-setting season for Aburatsubo and the Maulers, who went unconventional this off-season and decided to work solely on perfecting their passing attack.

All three of Orlando's touchdowns were scored by receiver Lorenzo Allen. The Intimidators cut their deficit to 21-7 with four minutes to go in the third quarter and then trimmed it again to 28-17 early in the fourth before the Maulers took over. Orlando's defense held Marconi to a season-low in completions, attempts and completion percentage. Minneapolis was held to a first half low, a season low in scoring and a season low in third down effeciency (36 percent). Minneapolis played some defense too, holding running back Zach Parker to just 100 yards and out of the end zone. Billy Joe Gatlin had an interception and forced a fumble on Parker, after Orlando converted a fourth down in Minneapolis territory.

For owner Thomas Paterniti, it was his first title. As an owner/coach, Paterniti is now 18-1 in two seasons. The Maulers are expected to add offensive coordinator Benjamin Schiener from Baltimore and Demond Simien as their Defensive Coordinaor this off-season. Orlando made it to their second championship game in franchise history. They won their first trip, 42-24 over Oklahoma City.

Full box score download: http://www.mediafire.com/download/qewlyaachj2sr8p/W15_Championship_-_Orlando_vs._Minneapolis.zip

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