Rivers Alphas responded to their opening-week disappointment with a 31-24 victory over Delta Braves in a fiercely contested Week 2 encounter of the Showtime Bowl Series XV Flag Football season at Showtime Arena on Sunday.
The Alphas had to work for their first victory of the campaign after Delta Braves made the brighter start, with Chimobi Eberechi opening the scoring before Rivers answered through a 32-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Adewale Akinpelu Yussuf and Fawaz Junaid.
Delta regained the advantage when John Jesufemi found Timilehin Emmanuel for a touchdown, but Rivers again responded through Junaid as the contest remained delicately poised at 12-12 going into the break.
The Braves struck first after the restart, Jesufemi connecting with Kobodokunni Scott to establish an 18-12 advantage, but that proved to be the moment Rivers began to turn the contest.
Gbadamosi Mary put the Alphas ahead 19-18 before Umeri Ruth Eberechukwu delivered two crucial touchdown passes, first finding Temituro Elizabeth and then Adeoye Anuoluwapo as Rivers opened a decisive 31-18 lead.
Delta refused to surrender and gave themselves late hope when Oguh Uzoma Donald connected with Sophia Chineye Onyegirigwam for a touchdown, but Rivers protected their advantage to complete the 31-24 win.
Despite Delta’s defeat, Eberechi was named Match MVP after an impressive performance that produced 85 receiving yards and a touchdown, earning an 8.6 rating. Adewale led the fantasy scoring with 7.1 points, ahead of Jesufemi’s 6.8 and Junaid’s 6.7.
For Rivers Alphas, the victory provides the response they needed after Week 1 and gets their Showtime Bowl Series XV campaign moving. For Delta Braves, a competitive performance ultimately ended without the result they wanted.
