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Flyers vs. Titans, November 23rd

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:58 pm
by Rudi MacKenzie
PRE-GAME

Coach Waters knew when his team took the field that they were set for the game. Even the steady rainfall that looked certain to continue for at least the next few hours could do nothing to dampen their enthusiasm. He’d driven the team hard all week in practice, half fueled by their lucky win at homecoming, and half by the fact he was downright pissed about the stunt someone pulled with his truck. Still, they were a better team for it. They had a fire and confidence that had been missing earlier in the season when back to back losses seemed to quash their hopes of a return trip to the playoffs

Scott Sanders wasn’t dressed tonight. Word was he’d be out for at least two more games. Losing a player of that caliber should have been a blow to team morale, but a week of practice with backup Stephen Reed had shown them their offence was still in good hands.

"All right, listen up!" the Coach barked as the team readied itself in the lockers. "You ladies got lucky last week, which is all well and good, but I don't want you to win by luck! I want you to win because you're the better team. The Titans are going to come on strong, so we'll come on stronger! You go out there and you show them we're serious. Who are we?"

"FLYERS!" the team enthusiastically replied.

"What?"

"FLYERS!" they called louder.

"Who?"

"FLYERS! BEAT THE TITANS!"

"GOOD! Reed, lead 'em out! Let's show them some football!"


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- The Saint Joseph's Flier sports desk

Re: Flyers vs. Titans, November 23rd

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:12 pm
by Rudi MacKenzie
FIRST QUARTER

Stephen Reed scowled as the coin landed on heads, meaning the Titans would receive first. He took his spot on the sidelines as Bill Harrison and the defensive line took the field. Harrison sent the ball sailing and was received by Titans #84, Aaron Carter at his own 15 yard line. Flyers #27 Lucas Alexander hit fast and strong, catching the Titan ten yards later and downing him at the 25. Three quick plays later and Reed was taking the field.

This was the moment he’d been waiting for since he first arrived at Saint Joe’s. Finally he had the chance to put his mark on his new team. A chance to show not only his skill, but also his leadership. The Flyers were too reliant on their running game. Scott had a great arm, but he’d been making safe passes and handing off far too often in Stephen’s opinion. Other teams were keying on that, leading to the Flyer’s sluggish start. Looking at the rain that continued to fall, he knew the Titans were expecting more of the same tonight.

"Way to go Defense!" he called, patting Lucas on the shoulderpad as they passed. Shooting a confident smile to Brianna Landers on the sidelines, he huddled the team up and called his first play.

The ball was snapped and Reed faked a hand-off to Argillo while Baxter and Aiken tried to get clear. “Wrongway” saw an opening, a hole in the Titans zone coverage big enough to drive a semi through. But he was no truck. He was small, he was fast, and he took full advantage of the situation. Reed faked a pass towards Aiken, then tossed a perfect spiral which landed squarely in the uncovered Baxter's hands.

"Too easy!" Bryan thought out loud as he placed the ball down in the end zone twelve seconds later. The sparse crowd of die-hard fans huddled under their rain gear applauded as he did his rendition of The Robot. With Samantha Douglas' extra point the score was quickly 7-0 for the home side.

"Good job, Good job!" the coach called. "Good eyes Baxter, Good eyes, Reed. Defense, let’s keep it going!"

The Titans were known more for their passing game then their running, and sure enough that's what they tried. Unfortunately for them, the Flyer’s secondary were on fire, running down the Titan’s receivers and boxing them in. Templeton Quarterback Casey Printers had no choice but to opt to hand off, and the Flyer's superb defensive line was more than ready to stop the run.

Reed was quickly back on the field. The Titan's were wising up, fielding extra defensive backs for greater pass defense, but that left an opening for Running Back Frank Argillo. Two plays later and “the Armadillo” was in the end zone.

Samantha Douglas waited for the snap, holding her left hand in the air and starting to run as Stephen placed the ball on the ground. The wet grass made the instep of her shoe slick and she watched with disappointment as the extra point went wide, making the score at the end of first 13-0.

SCORE: FLYERS 13 TITANS 0


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- The Saint Joseph's Flier sports desk

Re: Flyers vs. Titans, November 23rd

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:23 pm
by Rudi MacKenzie
SECOND QUARTER

Templeton’s offence continued to sputter in the second, unable to get the ball out of their own zone. Things got worse when one of Clayton Farrell's punts fell short, traveling only 24 yards before being caught by newcomer Ty Cloud. The Flyer’s #85 ran the ball deep into Titan’s territory, finally being tackled at the fifteen.

"Blue forty-two! Blue forty-two! Hut-Hut!" Reed called out before being hiked the ball. Frank was covered, as were all his receivers. Stepping back a few yards to buy time, he noticed a gap in the defense. Tucking the ball into his mid-section, he zig-zagged past two defensive linemen and into the end zone. Reed flashed a smile to the ref as he tossed him the ball.

"Way to go team, way to go team! Seven-Up!" he called, waving Sam in. He patted her on the helmet as the kicking team lined up. Sam took a running start as the ball was snapped but held back as Stephen stood, flicking the ball to Fullback Richie Anderson who drove it in for the two point conversion.

An excellent return on the ensuing kickoff finally put the Titans in scoring position, but despite a couple of solid runs from Stuart Howling they weren’t able to punch the ball into the end zone for a major. On fourth down they put themselves on the board with a three point field goal.

Reed and the Flyer’s offence continued to click with an aggressive mix of passing and rushing. They quickly moved downfield and on a second and two, Stephen hit Zack Aiken with a perfect strike for the Flyer’s second score in nine minutes.

The visitors took the following kickoff at their own 36, and began to show show signs of life with a solid downfield drive. A pair of sacks by Biff Hannigan and William Briggs put an end to that threat however, and the Titans were once again forced to settle for three before heading into the lockers.

SCORE: FLYERS 28 TITANS 6


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- The Saint Joseph's Flier sports desk

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:27 pm
by Ty Cloud
Ty wagged his finger at the defensive player who took him down. "Got lucky this time, next time I'm going all the way."

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:31 pm
by Rudi MacKenzie
HALF-TIME

The rain didn't dampen the team's spirit.

"That's football, boys!" Coach Waters barked as they hit the lockers.

"And Sam," Frank added with a sneer, causing the placekicker to knock him in the shoulder.

"Good eyes calling them on their bullshit defense. Reed, keep changing up the plays, keep them on their toes. Don't run the same play twice and it looks like you'll be fine." He knew he was taking advantage of first year Titan's Coach Karl Micek. Waters had lost plenty of games his first season as well. Still, his team needed this. "Just don't let me see you getting cocky out there,” he added. “Remember what happened last game. We do need this win, if you ladies plan on going to the championship again."

"And Sam!" Frank chimed in again, causing her to make an idle threat in his direction.

"Remember, eyes and ears open on the field, watch for holes in their defense, take as much advantage as you can. Offensively they have two strong tackles. Cover them and you're good to go. Reed! Keep 'em motivated."

"Flyers! Let's show 'em what it means to Forget the Titans!" Reed called out. Coach Waters smiled as he walked back to grab a cup of hot coffee to warm up.


-The Saint Joseph's Flier sports desk

Re: Flyers vs. Titans, November 23rd

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:38 pm
by Rudi MacKenzie
THIRD QUARTER

The third quarter was an exercise in futility for the visiting team. The Titans had six possessions, never crossed the midfield stripe, and had only three first downs. The Flyers on the other hand came out of the lockers stronger than ever. The home side tacked on two touchdowns in the third quarter as the already weak Titan’s defense wore down even further.

Three minutes in, the Titans again watched Bryan Baxter scoot down the right sideline to score. And things got worse for on their next possession. Taking over at their 34 following Bill Harrison's kickoff, two bad snaps rolled through reserve quarterback Chad Montgomery’s legs. The second was picked up by Biff Hannigan who ran in for a safety and a 37-6 lead for the Flyers.

Following the free kick which Ty Cloud returned to the Titan’s 41, the Flyers struck again. Reed passed the ball to Argillo who ran the ball to the Titans 30 yard line. After a pair of passes to Aiken and Campbell, the Flyer’s quarterback capped the drive with a 19 yard pass to Baxter, giving #88 his third touchdown of the game. Douglas' extra point gave the Flyers a 44-6 lead.

SCORE: FLYERS 44 TITANS 6


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- The Saint Joseph's Flier sports desk

Re: Flyers vs. Titans, November 23rd

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:43 pm
by Rudi MacKenzie
FOURTH QUARTER

With the Flyers reserves getting playing time and instructions to rundown the clock, the Titans struck their only blow of the game. Montgomery put together a solid nine-play 60 yard march, with Halfback Stuart Howling running the final 18 yards into the end zone for the Titans only touchdown on the day. A failed attempt at a 2 point conversion left the final score 44-12. The Titans were sent home with their heads hanging low after a crushing defeat by the St. Joseph’s Flyers.

FINAL SCORE:
FLYERS 44
MUSTANGS 12


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- The Saint Joseph's Flier sports desk

Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:28 pm
by Rudi MacKenzie
Here is a look at the Flyer's 2007 schedule and results to date:

Week 1 - at Vista Heights Bulldogs (win 24-20)
Week 2 - at Georgia Reynolds Eagles (loss 40-33)
Week 3 - at Saint Augustine Friars (loss 23-13)
Week 4 - at Jon Thomas Dye Marauders (win 14-10)
Week 5 - vs. Westfield Mustangs (win 25-23)
Week 6 - vs. Templeton Titans (win 44-12)
Week 7 - vs. Mt. Pelon Paladins
Week 8 - at High Park Monarchs
Week 9 - vs. Jaynestown Hawks
Week 10 - vs. Prescott Panthers

Current record: 4 wins, 2 losses


- the Saint Joseph's Flier sports desk