August 4, 2002- Prior to the start of the playoffs, the Dragons announced that after the 2002 season, Rich was going to retire. The Dragons, playing on pure emotion defeated the Gamblers on a miracle play in the dark, now dubbed as "The Catch." With a his 4th BFL Bowl appearance, Rich would have more opportunity to defeat his friend Ken of the Sparrows on the big stage of the BFL Bowl.

The Sparrows clinched their 3rd BFL Bowl appearance with a victory over the undefeated Crusaders in the playoffs. With two BFL Bowl Victories over the Dragons, the Sparrows were going to try and win their third championship in 2002.

The game was played on pure emotion and intensity and it was appropriate that two best friends, the oldest rivalry in the BFL play for it all in the Dragon's finale. As the game began, the two teams wore their throwback jerseys from their first meeting ever from 1997. The Dragons took a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Ken and Rich played at such a high level throughout the game. Both teams trading touchdown for touchdown, and each team coming inches away from making the huge stop on defense. Howie Gogo was on fire throwing amazing spirals and threading the needle on many passes. After tying the game at 28-28, the Sparrows left 4 seconds on the clock in the half. The pass to Rich was just batted away as the teams remained tied at the break.

During the game, the Crusaders were announced as the 2002 MVP GoGo award winner with a 3-0 season. In addition, Howie GoGo was voted into the BFL hall of fame as the first inductee. The half-time show featured a water gun demonstration for all the BFL record attendance of 16 (at the time).

In the third quarter, the Sparrows faced a 3rd and 1, and elected to go for the field goal. Ken took a 38-35 lead, but no long was up by a touchdown. Rich soon regained the lead, 42-38. In the second half, the lead changed hands 15 times.

Late in the 4th, the Dragons had the ball with less than a minute to go and trailed 74-70. Rich attempted to use up the remainder of the clock to set up the game winning touchdown but scored with 12 seconds left, to take a 76-74 lead. Ken then had 8 seconds and the ball at midfield with a chance to win. The ball was less than an inch out of reach of the Dragons as it landed into the Sparrows outstretched arms as time expired. The Sparrows won their 3rd BFL championship 80-76.

Ken was soon showered with the waterbucket and confetti as the game ended. BFL Bowl V became one of the most exciting BFL Bowls in history!

Throwoff TDs