The United States earned bragging rights over Mexico in an international friendly on a purpose-built flag football field within the Super Bowl LX NFL Experience in San Francisco, but it was close.
A single point separated these old rivals with a 35-34 victory in the Bay Area mainly coming courtesy of the United States’ defense rather than their often-ruthless offense. With Mexico leading 20-16 going into the second half and within striking distance of opening a ten-point lead, Jamie Kennedy produced what proved to be a game changing interception on a tipped ball near the end zone.
Two plays later, with their offensive gameplan adjusted at halftime and quarterback Darrell Housh Doucette banishing the memory of some uncharacteristically wayward early passes, USA powered into the end zone. A Ja’Deion High touchdown earned a two-point gap which was all the world’s number one ranked team needed to control the outcome.
“That was a really big momentum change because they had scored on nearly every drive and we knew they were going to get the ball to begin the second half,” said USA head coach Jorge Cascudo.
“They had a great game plan and they kept moving the ball down the field taking four plays and four more plays, so we were playing from behind and we just made a good adjustment in the second half to try to stop them.”
Having halted the Americans on their opening drive, Mexico drew first blood with a Diego Perez to Cristopher Cardona touchdown pass and a Victor Balderramos connection with Cradona on a triple pass trick play for the two extra points and an 8-0 lead.
A Housh to High touchdown and Nico Casares to Tyler Davis two-pointer drew the U.S. level and a trade in scores had the game deadlocked at 14-14 before a successful home two-pointer edged them ahead. Luis Villegas found Balderramos in the end zone to regain Mexico’s slim advantage at halftime.
The critical play from Kennedy came after a spectacular first down from Cardona appeared to have Mexico prepared to surge ahead. With USA instead leading 22-20 the rivals traded touchdowns for a 28-26 scoreline but as Mexico resumed from their own five-yard mark with the clock in their favor, Isaiah Calhoun produced timely a pick six. The successful point after established a nine-point gap and even though Mexico scored late on and pulled to within one point, USA was able to see out the win.
Doucette’s second half recovery saw him complete 8 of 14 passes for 2 touchdowns and 58 yards and he added more yards on the ground with 61 in total from 6 scampers. Perez in his losing effort was 28 of 36 attempts for 222 yards and 3 touchdowns.
High led all receivers with 5 grabs for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Mexico’s Villegas had 14 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Kennedy put up the best defensive numbers with his game-changing interception and four flag pulls.
Mexico led the way in time of possession (78.6%), first downs and fourth down conversions, but it was that single point on the board in the Americans’ favor that proved to be the most important statistic.
