The Vila Velha Tritões outlasted the Botafogo Reptiles 13-7 in overtime Saturday to capture first place in the BFA Southeast Divison East conference and secure home field advantage in the playoffs.
This was the second overtime victory for the Tritões in 2017 and it could not have come at a better time. Botafogo badly needed the win too to be assured of a playoff berth.
Vila Velha opened the scoring in the first quarter on the first possession of the game with quarterback LaParish Lewis carrying the ball in to give the Tritoes a 7-0 lead.
However, the Reptiles responded in the second quarter following a fumble by the Tritões, recovering the ball on the Vila Velha 40 yard line. Running back Raphael “Léo Moura” bulled his way into the end zone from two yards out three plays later to tie the score at 7-7.
Photo: Tritões/Divulgação
And that is how it stayed for the remainder of regulation time so the game went into overtime.
The Tritões had first possession and made no mistake as Lewis, now playing wide receiver, hauled in a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Altivo Ribeiro to take a 13-7 lead.
Botafogo running back Aluan Costa found daylight on the next series and was finally downed on the two yard line. However, the Tritões defense held strong not allowing the Reptiles into the end zone and the game ended 13-7.
The win assured Vila Velha of at least one home playoff game while the Reptiles managed to back into the playoff despite losing as the Sao Paulo Storm defeated the Corinthians Steamrollers eliminating the Lusa Lions thus paving the way for Botafogo.