![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() PALM HARBOR -- It was a beautiful day for football. The capacity crowd made their way to their seats at Spanish Pines Stadium for the 3pm kickoff of Strato Super Bowl 2015. The gumbo was a bubblin', the beef brisket was smokin', and the Barracudas and Harriers were about to go nose to nose in the season finale. The favored Harriers won the North Division after starting the season 12-1. The Barracudas won the South by going 11-5. After dispatching their Wild Card opponents, both squads have spent the past two weeks preparing for battle in Super Bowl 2015. The Harriers won the toss and elected to defer, a gambit that played out well as the Barracudas were unable to score on their first possession. Drew Brees connected with RB Marshawn Lynch for a 4 yard TD pass at 4:00 in the first period to open the scoring. Midway through the 2nd, 'Cudas RB's Montee Ball and Darren Sproles each had 2 yard runs for TD's that gave the Fish a 14-7 lead. Harriers kicker Stephan Gostkowski then hit a pair of late FG's to end the first half with the Barracudas leading 14-13. ![]() Ticket holders were stunned to learn the League had forgotten to book half time entertainment, but the Barracudas Mascot came through with his "One Man Marching Band" performance that is always a crowd pleaser. The lone tally in the 3rd period was a 17 yard Drew Brees TD pass to WR Malcom Floyd at 10:15 which gave the Harriers a 20-14 lead. Barracudas RB Lamar Miller started the 4th quarter drama by scampering 6 yards to the Harriers end zone at 11:30, giving the 'Cudas the lead anew, 21-20. The Harriers badly needed a TD. But the going was tough against a tireless Barracuda defense. Brees, though having an off day, drove the Harriers into field goal range mid-way through the 4th, but ran out of downs. Another Gostkowski field goal would give the 'Birds a shaky 23-21 advantage. It was nail biting time for two proud franchises. Earlier in the contest, each team had a pair of turn overs, and numerous possessions ending in punts. Ageless Barracudas QB Tom Brady would start their last drive with just minutes to go. The Harriers defensive coordinator was frantically pacing the sidelines, yelling out instructions to a desperate defense. But Brady, calling his own plays, deftly led the Fish downfield into the range of kicker Dan "Don't call me 'The Carp' Carpenter." The Harriers defense twice crushed 'Cudas running plays for losses, but it wouldn't be enough as the clock wound down. With 15 seconds left, and the the ball on the Harriers 34 yard line, the 'Fish brought in the field goal unit for the game-winning kick. Carpenter was GOOD from 51 yards. The Harriers still had their time-outs, but Brees failed to connect as time expired. Final score, Barracudas 24-23 over Harriers. ![]() The Barracudas are awarded the coveted Suncoast Strat-O-Matic Football League Championship Trophy The wheelin' and dealin' Barracudas last won it all in 2012. The Superbowl MVP was 'Cudas RB Lamar Miller who rushed for 187 yards and a TD on 27 carries. It was a bitter disappointment for the Harriers, who have to live with the indignity of suffering a second consecutive Super Bowl loss. But by sunset, the head coach was already reminiscing about the last two historic runs at infamy. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |