 |
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
Crusaders Prevail in Rivalry Game
Updated: 07/21/2009 at 1:17 PM
Crusaders Prevail in Rivalry Game
Coming off their first loss of the season, things didn’t get any easier for the Panhandle Crusaders. Next on the schedule was a 2008 PFL Bowl rematch with the 5-0 Pensacola Wolfpac. “Sometimes a man must be knocked down, to stand back up as a champion” Offensive Coordinator, Trey Bonner, told his guys. The heartbreaking loss to the Hurricanes the week before could either bring the Crusaders together as champions or tear the whole thing apart.
It was obvious right from the start this was going to be a fierce, knock down, drag out fight. The trash talking started in pre game warm ups, and never really stopped. The Wolfpac won the coin toss, but deferred to the second half, so the Crusaders’ offense would get to open the game.
When the Crusaders took the field, they were looking for what they were missing in the game with the Hurricanes, their running game. Cratez Abrams, who was averaging over 100 yards a game, was held below 20 yards last week. Abrams started with a 9 yard run to the right. On the next play, he went the right again where the offensive line had opened a gaping hole. Abrams busted loose for a 55 yard run down inside ten yard line. Just when it looked like the Wolfpac defense was going to hold, Octavious Smith went in from 1 yard out on a quarterback sneak on forth down. The extra point was blocked. The Wolfpac offense came out looking to answer the touchdown. After getting across midfield, the Crusaders’ defense stood strong on forth and short and forced the Wolfpac offense off the field. The Crusaders were unable to do anything on their second drive and gave the ball right back to the Wolfpac. This time they drove down and put up their first touchdown. The extra point was good, giving the Wolfpac the lead 7-6. After the Wolfpac had the lead, the game turned into a defensive slug fest. Neither defense would give up much to the opposing offense. The first half ended with Wolfpac leading by a single point, 7-6. After a short delay, the officials came out of their locker room to get the second half under way. The Wolfpac got the ball to start the second half and it looked like it was going to go just the way the first half ended. Both defenses were playing strong and not giving up a whole lot.
With time running down in the third quarter, Crusaders quarterback, Octavious Smith finally started to find his stride. Smith was 0 for 5 throwing the ball in the first half against a very stingy Wolfpac defense. He completed his first pass to former Wolpac player, Dale Mack, for 36 yards, and then hit David Jennings for a 32 yard touchdown pass with 1:33 left in the third quarter. The extra point was blocked.
The fourth quarter begin with the Wolfpac in possession of the football, and just like a heavyweight title fight, they kept swinging. They would open the scoring in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass, but the extra point was no good, being pushed wide right. It was enough, however, for them to regain the lead 13-12.
The Crusaders came back out on offense and looked to keep the passing game rolling. Smith would hit Kelvin King for a 30 yard pass. After running the ball on 2 straight plays and not gaining much, Smith would drop back to pass again, this time finding Mack for a 20 yard touchdown pass with 7:49 left in game. The two point conversion was no good.
Now trailing 18-13, the Crusaders defense turned it up another notch. Ruth Lewis would force a fumble that was recovered right in front of Wolfpac bench by Corey Thompson. The offense would make the best of the turnover and a penalty against Wolfpac head coach Paul Smith. Running plays by Abrams and Smith would get the ball down inside the ten yard line. With 4:17 showing on the clock, Smith would hit King on slant pass for a touchdown. The Crusaders once again would go for two, this time Smith would find King on fade route in the corner of the end zone, giving them a more comfortable lead, 26-13. With time running out on the Wofpac’s perfect season hopes, they would try to take advantage of their height on the outside. Ken Johnson would lay a pass out to the right side, but Thompson was laying in wait, making his first interception of the season.
When the Crusaders took the field this time, they were going for the jugular. Smith would hit Bernard White streaking down the sideline for a 45 yard touchdown with 1:31 left in the game. Kevin Kent would tack on the extra point, giving the Crusaders a commanding 20 point lead, 33-13. The Wolfpac would not go quietly, scoring one more touchdown with :03 left on the clock. The two point conversion would be stuffed on the one yard line. Saturday showed a great battle by two of the top teams in the PFL. It was a great show for the fans on both sides. When the game ended, players on both teams went against what they were told to show their respect to each other. In any heated rivalry there are always fans who take things to far. Coach Will Walker addressed both teams at mid field saying “The battle was on the field and should be left there.” He went on to say, “everyone knows the road to the trophy has to go through these two teams, and it’s gonna be a tough road for all of them”. Saturday was a rivalry game at it’s finest.
|
|
