Post by 50yardfan on Jun 6, 2010 12:58:24 GMT -5
Extreme Earn Electrifying Victory Against Thunderhawks, 34-14
BLOOMINGTON, (Ill.)--Ruthless and unrelenting best describes the defense of the Bloomington Extreme (7-5) Saturday evening when the West Michigan Thunderhawks (5-7) came to U.S. Cellular Coliseum, with 4,234 cheering fans in attendence. The defense allowed 0 second half points and combined for seven sacks and three interceptions as the Extreme look for that treasured spot in the Indoor Football League play-offs.
Both Rocky Hinds and Luke Drone split time at quarterback. Hinds went 5-of-12 for 34 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Drone had a little more success at quarterback, completing 6-of-11 passing for 73 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Bernard Payton was a beast on the ground, nearly averaging 10 yards a carry. He recorded 119 yards on 12 touches, which is a Bloomington Extreme franchise record. Johnny Gray was the leading wide receiver, catching five passes for 55 yards.
Ron Hardy started for quarterback for West Michigan, and he was harassed by the Bloomington defense all game. He completed 9-of-19 pasing for 80 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The Thunderhawk running game was nearly non-existant, as Hardy and Greg Marshall combine for 40 yards on 10 carries. Robert Height III was the leading receiver for the Thunderhawks, catching three passes for 31 yards and one touchdown.
Bernard Payton exploded at the start of the game with a 27-yard kickoff return, followed by an 11 yard run for a first down. But an over thrown pass by Hinds was intercepted by Sydney Lewis, bringing a quick end to the first Extreme drive.
West Michigan began the game with a stroke of luck. Hardy completed his first pass to Nathan Fricke, which barely skimmed off the ground and into his hands. Next Hardy was nearly sacked, but able to find Fricke again for a first down pass. His luck soon ended when trying to scramble for a first down. Joe Bevis drilled Hardy along the wall, causing him to fumble the ball. Bevis was the man to recover the ball for the Extreme.
With the ball back in Hinds hands, he drove the team down to the red zone, where on a third down play, Hinds lobed the ball into the back of the end zone where is was caught by John Cooper for a touchdown. The extra point was good by Pete Christofilakos, Extreme go up 7-0.
The Extreme defense proves to be too much for the Thunderhawks as Bloomington does not allow West Michigan to cross midfield. David Hendrix attempts a field goal for the Thunderhawks, but missed it wide left.
John Cooper reeled in a 10-yard pass to start the next series. However the offense got snagged up with a fourth down on their own 20-yard line. Christofilakos then booted a 40-yard field goal to put the Extreme up 10-0.
First play of West Michigan's next drive ends up in disaster as Larry Luster squeaks by blockers to sack Hardy for a -3 yard loss. West Michigan recovered and picked up the first down on a third and seven. On second down at the Extreme 17-yard line, Luster nearly had another sack, but as he was taking Hardy to the ground, Hardy tossed up a prayer to Robert Height III. Height then zigzagged his way through tacklers and fell into the end zone, giving the Thunderhawks their first score of the night, 10-7.
Bloomington's next drive ended before it even began. Hinds had his low-flying screen pass tipped and picked off by West Michigan defensive linemen, Sean Stevens, who then took the ball 27 yards to the house. This gave the Thunderhawks the lead, 10-14.
The surprises did not end there. On the ensuing kickoff, Payton received the ball and took it down to the West Michigan one-yard line after hurdling and stiff-arming through Thunderhawk tacklers. Luke Drone made his long awaited appearance on the field by scoring a touchdown on a quarterback sneak, giving the lead back to the Extreme, 17-14.
The Thunderhawks begin to wear down on their next drive. The first two plays totaled three yards, and then when Hardy was in the process of being sacked once more, he again threw the ball up for a desperation pass. This time though Hardy was not as lucky. This time David Darby interception the ball as Bloomington took possession on the West Michigan 17 yard line. Luke Drone gave the ball right back, as his pass is intercepted in the end zone by Jason Jones.
Two deep lob passes came from Hardy on the Thunderhawks next drive. Neither pass is caught, but West Michigan receives defensive pass interference calls on both throws, taking the Thunderhawks all the way to the Bloomington 15-yard line. On a third and five play, only 10 yards away from the end zone, Hardy receives a surprise as Justin Harrison shoots out of the Extreme secondary to sack Hardy for a 17-yard loss. Hendrix attempts a field goal, but botches the attempt.
Extreme regain possession on their five-yard line and begin their march. The flags came flying out as Bloomington received two straight off sides penalties. Drone revived the drive by scrambling to earn back the yardage lost from the penalties, and then found a wide-open Johnny Gray for a 18-yard catch and a first down. Drones threaded the needle to connect with Harry Lewis as he strode into the end zone, increasing the Bloomington lead, 24-14 before the end of the half. With six seconds remaining in the half, Hardy throws up a deep ball that finds its way into the hands of Bloomington defender, BJ Brown.
Misfortunate is the best way to describe the opening of the second half for the Thunderhawks. The first play from scrimmage was a botched snap that Hardy fumbled into the end zone, which was then recovered by Bloomington defender Quince Holman for a touchdown, 31-14.
Woes continue for the Thunderhawks as they cannot get out of their side of the field. Holman was relentless and nearly records a safety, sacking Hardy at the one-yard line. In a bind, West Michigan attempts a field goal from their end zone, but the kick landed out of bounds, nowhere near the uprights.
On Bloomington's next possession, Dominique Bryson steps in front of a Drone pass and intercepts the ball. Luster took revenge for this by sacking Hardy for a 10-yard loss. The ensuing play, Holman wrapped up Hardy's ankles behind the line of scrimmage, but Hardy manages to get the pass off, only to be called for intentional grounding, taking the Thunderhawks back to their 10-yard line. The Extreme defense forces West Michigan to attempt another field goal, but Hendrix misses this as well, wide right.
Payton breaks through the line of scrimmage for a 12-yard gain to begin the proceeding drive. An unsportsmanlike penalty keeps the Bloomington drive alive, but they cannot earn a first down after that. Christofilakos attempts a 47-yard field goal, but boots the ball wide right.
The Extreme defense picked up their game in the second half. Hardy was almost sacked for a safety again, as Jeff Sobol and Luster bring Hardy down right at the one-yard line. Once again Hendrix attempted a kick from his own end zone, but this kick was just as bad as the earlier field goal tried from this spot
Rocky Hinds made his return to the field and completes a 10-yard pass to Johnny Gray for a first down. His second pass landed in the hands of Bryson, earning the defender his second interception of the game. The Bloomington defense continued to be relentless, not allowing West Michigan to get past their 10-yard line. Luster records his third sack of the game, which held the Thunderhawks to a field goal attempt. Hendrix's kick fell short of the uprights, and Payton returned the ball all the way to the West Michigan 10-yard line. With only nine yards to go, Payton swept around the left side of the field and went untouched into the end zone, but a holding penalty nullified that score. Bloomington was forced to settle for a field from Christofilakos, 34-14.
With time running out, West Michigan had a chance at scoring when they returned the ensuing kickoff to the Bloomington 20-yard line. James Temple had something to say about that, as he intercepts Hardy's first pass of the drive, giving possession back to the Extreme on their 23-yard line. With only 1:30 left, Bloomington ran out the remaining time and earn their seventh victory of the season, 34-14.
Next Saturday, the Bloomington Extreme travel to Maryland to face the winless Maniacs for their second to last game of the season. Visit Hooter's on Hershey Road in Bloomington with many other Extreme fans where this game will be broadcast live at 7:00 p.m.
BLOOMINGTON, (Ill.)--Ruthless and unrelenting best describes the defense of the Bloomington Extreme (7-5) Saturday evening when the West Michigan Thunderhawks (5-7) came to U.S. Cellular Coliseum, with 4,234 cheering fans in attendence. The defense allowed 0 second half points and combined for seven sacks and three interceptions as the Extreme look for that treasured spot in the Indoor Football League play-offs.
Both Rocky Hinds and Luke Drone split time at quarterback. Hinds went 5-of-12 for 34 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Drone had a little more success at quarterback, completing 6-of-11 passing for 73 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Bernard Payton was a beast on the ground, nearly averaging 10 yards a carry. He recorded 119 yards on 12 touches, which is a Bloomington Extreme franchise record. Johnny Gray was the leading wide receiver, catching five passes for 55 yards.
Ron Hardy started for quarterback for West Michigan, and he was harassed by the Bloomington defense all game. He completed 9-of-19 pasing for 80 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The Thunderhawk running game was nearly non-existant, as Hardy and Greg Marshall combine for 40 yards on 10 carries. Robert Height III was the leading receiver for the Thunderhawks, catching three passes for 31 yards and one touchdown.
Bernard Payton exploded at the start of the game with a 27-yard kickoff return, followed by an 11 yard run for a first down. But an over thrown pass by Hinds was intercepted by Sydney Lewis, bringing a quick end to the first Extreme drive.
West Michigan began the game with a stroke of luck. Hardy completed his first pass to Nathan Fricke, which barely skimmed off the ground and into his hands. Next Hardy was nearly sacked, but able to find Fricke again for a first down pass. His luck soon ended when trying to scramble for a first down. Joe Bevis drilled Hardy along the wall, causing him to fumble the ball. Bevis was the man to recover the ball for the Extreme.
With the ball back in Hinds hands, he drove the team down to the red zone, where on a third down play, Hinds lobed the ball into the back of the end zone where is was caught by John Cooper for a touchdown. The extra point was good by Pete Christofilakos, Extreme go up 7-0.
The Extreme defense proves to be too much for the Thunderhawks as Bloomington does not allow West Michigan to cross midfield. David Hendrix attempts a field goal for the Thunderhawks, but missed it wide left.
John Cooper reeled in a 10-yard pass to start the next series. However the offense got snagged up with a fourth down on their own 20-yard line. Christofilakos then booted a 40-yard field goal to put the Extreme up 10-0.
First play of West Michigan's next drive ends up in disaster as Larry Luster squeaks by blockers to sack Hardy for a -3 yard loss. West Michigan recovered and picked up the first down on a third and seven. On second down at the Extreme 17-yard line, Luster nearly had another sack, but as he was taking Hardy to the ground, Hardy tossed up a prayer to Robert Height III. Height then zigzagged his way through tacklers and fell into the end zone, giving the Thunderhawks their first score of the night, 10-7.
Bloomington's next drive ended before it even began. Hinds had his low-flying screen pass tipped and picked off by West Michigan defensive linemen, Sean Stevens, who then took the ball 27 yards to the house. This gave the Thunderhawks the lead, 10-14.
The surprises did not end there. On the ensuing kickoff, Payton received the ball and took it down to the West Michigan one-yard line after hurdling and stiff-arming through Thunderhawk tacklers. Luke Drone made his long awaited appearance on the field by scoring a touchdown on a quarterback sneak, giving the lead back to the Extreme, 17-14.
The Thunderhawks begin to wear down on their next drive. The first two plays totaled three yards, and then when Hardy was in the process of being sacked once more, he again threw the ball up for a desperation pass. This time though Hardy was not as lucky. This time David Darby interception the ball as Bloomington took possession on the West Michigan 17 yard line. Luke Drone gave the ball right back, as his pass is intercepted in the end zone by Jason Jones.
Two deep lob passes came from Hardy on the Thunderhawks next drive. Neither pass is caught, but West Michigan receives defensive pass interference calls on both throws, taking the Thunderhawks all the way to the Bloomington 15-yard line. On a third and five play, only 10 yards away from the end zone, Hardy receives a surprise as Justin Harrison shoots out of the Extreme secondary to sack Hardy for a 17-yard loss. Hendrix attempts a field goal, but botches the attempt.
Extreme regain possession on their five-yard line and begin their march. The flags came flying out as Bloomington received two straight off sides penalties. Drone revived the drive by scrambling to earn back the yardage lost from the penalties, and then found a wide-open Johnny Gray for a 18-yard catch and a first down. Drones threaded the needle to connect with Harry Lewis as he strode into the end zone, increasing the Bloomington lead, 24-14 before the end of the half. With six seconds remaining in the half, Hardy throws up a deep ball that finds its way into the hands of Bloomington defender, BJ Brown.
Misfortunate is the best way to describe the opening of the second half for the Thunderhawks. The first play from scrimmage was a botched snap that Hardy fumbled into the end zone, which was then recovered by Bloomington defender Quince Holman for a touchdown, 31-14.
Woes continue for the Thunderhawks as they cannot get out of their side of the field. Holman was relentless and nearly records a safety, sacking Hardy at the one-yard line. In a bind, West Michigan attempts a field goal from their end zone, but the kick landed out of bounds, nowhere near the uprights.
On Bloomington's next possession, Dominique Bryson steps in front of a Drone pass and intercepts the ball. Luster took revenge for this by sacking Hardy for a 10-yard loss. The ensuing play, Holman wrapped up Hardy's ankles behind the line of scrimmage, but Hardy manages to get the pass off, only to be called for intentional grounding, taking the Thunderhawks back to their 10-yard line. The Extreme defense forces West Michigan to attempt another field goal, but Hendrix misses this as well, wide right.
Payton breaks through the line of scrimmage for a 12-yard gain to begin the proceeding drive. An unsportsmanlike penalty keeps the Bloomington drive alive, but they cannot earn a first down after that. Christofilakos attempts a 47-yard field goal, but boots the ball wide right.
The Extreme defense picked up their game in the second half. Hardy was almost sacked for a safety again, as Jeff Sobol and Luster bring Hardy down right at the one-yard line. Once again Hendrix attempted a kick from his own end zone, but this kick was just as bad as the earlier field goal tried from this spot
Rocky Hinds made his return to the field and completes a 10-yard pass to Johnny Gray for a first down. His second pass landed in the hands of Bryson, earning the defender his second interception of the game. The Bloomington defense continued to be relentless, not allowing West Michigan to get past their 10-yard line. Luster records his third sack of the game, which held the Thunderhawks to a field goal attempt. Hendrix's kick fell short of the uprights, and Payton returned the ball all the way to the West Michigan 10-yard line. With only nine yards to go, Payton swept around the left side of the field and went untouched into the end zone, but a holding penalty nullified that score. Bloomington was forced to settle for a field from Christofilakos, 34-14.
With time running out, West Michigan had a chance at scoring when they returned the ensuing kickoff to the Bloomington 20-yard line. James Temple had something to say about that, as he intercepts Hardy's first pass of the drive, giving possession back to the Extreme on their 23-yard line. With only 1:30 left, Bloomington ran out the remaining time and earn their seventh victory of the season, 34-14.
Next Saturday, the Bloomington Extreme travel to Maryland to face the winless Maniacs for their second to last game of the season. Visit Hooter's on Hershey Road in Bloomington with many other Extreme fans where this game will be broadcast live at 7:00 p.m.