Bandits  6-0-8-7- 21
Oilers     0-0-0-6-  6

6-0 Bandits Baker 2yd run (PAT failed)
14-0 Bandits Hodge 19yd Pass from Yaitanes (2pt pass Blot from Yaitanes)
21-0 Bandits Brooks 10yd run (Nelson PAT)
6-21 Oilers #20 8yd run (PAT failed)

The Boston Bandits (2-0) defeated the Randolph Oilers (0-1) in the Oilers' home opener by the score of 21-6.

The Bandits would have the only score of the first half after Willie Baker scored from 2 yard out in the 1st quarter. The extra point just missed leaving the score at 6-0. The drive included strong running from Baker and JD Brooks and a reception into the red zone by Sydney Jean Felix. The Bandit offense sputtered the rest of the half with penalties and dropped passes. The defense thwarted Randolph’s QB Ryan Myers with a sack by Jason Milton and a sack and forced fumble by Corey Lovings.

The Bandits held firm on the Oilers' first drive of the second half but gave them a quick second opportunity on offense when the Bandits fumbled the punt, however, the defense held firm once again led by strong defensive line play by Grid Gremi, Chris Young, Roberto Perez, James Shaw and John DeAngelis.

The Bandit offense got into rhythm mixing up the run and pass, with a reception to Jay Blot setting up a 19 yard TD reception by Daryl Hodge from QB Jimmy Yaitanes. The 2pt pass to Blot improved the lead to 14-0. The Bandits would up the lead in the fourth quarter with a time consuming drive that resulted in an 11 yard touchdown run by JD Brooks. Andrew Nelson’s PAT put the lead to 21-0. The Oilers would ruin the Bandit shutout bid with their last drive moving down the field on short passes, and scoring on an 8 yard run that saw the back seemingly stopped a couple of times before squirting through for a touchdown with 40 seconds left on the clock. The extra point failed placing the final score at 21-6. The victory was especially sweet for returning Bandit Mike Rossini after missing all of last year due to injury and winning in his home town of Randolph. 

The Bandits would like to thank the Oilers and the O'Kane family for inviting us down for their opener. Good luck this season. Hopefully we'll see you in 2008.

The Bandits open their NEFL schedule on Saturday, July 21st at the Middleboro Cobras at 7:30PM at Battis Field in Middleboro.

Mill City  0-7-0-6-13
Boston   0-7-7-7-21

Bandits 7-0 Blot 2yd pass from Yaitanes (Nelson PAT)
Maulers 7-7 X 40yd TD pass from Colon (PAT)
Bandits 14-7 C. Williams 25yd run (Nelson PAT)
Maulers 13-14 X 25yd TD pass from Colon (PAT failed)
Bandits 21-13 Hodge 45yd pass from Yaitanes (Nelson PAT)

The Boston Bandits defeated the Mill City Maulers 21-13 in the 6th Annual Derrick Rucker Charity game. The Bandits have held a game in his honor annually since 2002 with the proceeds of the game going to his daughter's scholarship fund. Players continue to honor him with the #31 on their helmets. He was inducted into the NEFL Hall of Fame in the spring of 2005.

The Bandits eventually broke the scoreless game with a 2 yard TD pass from QB Jimmy Yaitanes to WR Jay Blot in the second quarter. That score was set up by an interception by CB Roy Howard. Prior to that score the Bandits had missed a 63 yard FG and had a 19 yard field goal blocked. With an additional 30 yards in penalty on the ensuing kick return, the Maulers quickly found themselves in Bandit territory. A Mauler receiver would out jump a Bandit defender for a ball, got up and finished off a 40 yard pass and run play to knot the game at 7-7.

A penalty wiped out the ensuing Bandit kickoff return for a touchdown, leaving the score tied at the half. The Bandits’ defense held firm in the 3rd quarter and received a good punt return by Daryl Hodge to the Mauler 25 yard line. The first play of the drive resulted in a touchdown when RB Calvin Williams darted through the line practically untouched.  QB, Alex Colon, led the Maulers back through the air and on foot, finding a receiver open on a crossing pattern for his second touchdown pass. The extra point, however, was blocked, leaving the Bandits with a slight edge 14-13. The Bandits expanded the lead when Yaitanes found Hodge open on a short route, but after some nifty moves, Hodge took it the rest of the way for a 45 yard touchdown. Andrew Nelson’s third PAT put the score at 21-13.

The Maulers threatened to climb back into the game but were thwarted on downs deep in Bandit territory on their last possession. The Bandits and the Rucker family would like to thank the Maulers and the fan for coming out for this event. The Bandits are 5-1 in the Rucker game since 2002.

Donations can be made directly to:
Rockland Trust
c/o Breanna Rucker
Acct# 10204787
10 Pond St.
Norwell, MA 02061