Post by 50yardfan on Mar 28, 2011 14:05:22 GMT -5
www.marionstar.com/article/20110328/SPORTS/103280310/Blue-Racers-thrash-Dayton
MARION - The last time the Marion Blue Racers left the Veterans Memorial Coliseum turf was after a loss to the Cincinnati Commandos.
With a bye last week, the Blue Racers had two weeks before they were going to be able to attempt to wash away a stinging close defeat.
Coach Demetrius Ross did not change much of the routine during the bye week, practicing the normal two days, and then carried that forward in preparing for last Saturday's Continental Indoor Football League game against the Dayton Silverbacks at the Coliseum.
The Blue Racers were determined to not make it two straight losses and backed by a strong first-half performance defeated the Silverbacks 34-13.
"We came out with energy and ready to get back on the field," Ross said. "We were able to find some success early."
The Silverbacks did score on their first possession of the game but then were held without a score until late in the fourth quarter.
Between those two scores Marion amassed 34 points, including 31 in the first half, in winning for the second time in three games.
"Coach Ross told us we couldn't come off a bye week with a loss," defensive back Andre Troy said. "We needed to pick each other up on each play and play like it was 0-0."
Ross was disappointed with the second half and in the lockerroom saw a team that was equally disappointed.
"The players came into the lockerroom like it was a loss," he said. "We have a lot of things we need to work on, both offensively and defensively. There was a little bit of letdown in momentum in the second half. The guys were not satisfied and want to get back on the field, putting four quarters together."
The Blue Racers fell behind early, trailing 7-0 with less than five minutes gone in the first quarter, and an onside kick put the ball right back to the Silverbacks.
But a fumble recovery by defensive back Bryceson Lawrence started Marion on its way to 34 straight points.
Lawrence, who was a River Valley graduate and played two seasons with the Marion Mayhem, dropped on the loose ball in the end zone after the center snap sailed past the Dayton quarterback.
"It felt good to be back in Marion, playing in front of people that know you," said Lawrence, who recently spent a little time working out with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. "I was glad I was able to contribute to the team and help us get the win."
Lawrence credited football instincts with getting the fumble recovery.
"A player is coached when you run to the ball good things will happen and I was there to make a play," Lawrence said.
Josh Harris led the first half charge by the Blue Racers, throwing two touchdowns passes, a 46-yard to Mike Tatum and 38 yards to Brandon Williams.
Christen Haywood added a four-yard smash for a touchdown and Tyler Lorenz booted a 34-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
In addition to Lawrence's fumble recovery, Troy recovered a fumble, Bryan Williams intercepted two passes and Antonio Wells pounced on an onside kick.
Lorenz provided Marion's only points in the second half with a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter. It was his third field goal of the season, including two of more than 40 yards.
Marion completes a four-game homestand Saturday as the Blue Racers will take on the Indianapolis Enforcers before embarking on a two-game road trip that included visits to Dayton and Port Huron.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
MARION - The last time the Marion Blue Racers left the Veterans Memorial Coliseum turf was after a loss to the Cincinnati Commandos.
With a bye last week, the Blue Racers had two weeks before they were going to be able to attempt to wash away a stinging close defeat.
Coach Demetrius Ross did not change much of the routine during the bye week, practicing the normal two days, and then carried that forward in preparing for last Saturday's Continental Indoor Football League game against the Dayton Silverbacks at the Coliseum.
The Blue Racers were determined to not make it two straight losses and backed by a strong first-half performance defeated the Silverbacks 34-13.
"We came out with energy and ready to get back on the field," Ross said. "We were able to find some success early."
The Silverbacks did score on their first possession of the game but then were held without a score until late in the fourth quarter.
Between those two scores Marion amassed 34 points, including 31 in the first half, in winning for the second time in three games.
"Coach Ross told us we couldn't come off a bye week with a loss," defensive back Andre Troy said. "We needed to pick each other up on each play and play like it was 0-0."
Ross was disappointed with the second half and in the lockerroom saw a team that was equally disappointed.
"The players came into the lockerroom like it was a loss," he said. "We have a lot of things we need to work on, both offensively and defensively. There was a little bit of letdown in momentum in the second half. The guys were not satisfied and want to get back on the field, putting four quarters together."
The Blue Racers fell behind early, trailing 7-0 with less than five minutes gone in the first quarter, and an onside kick put the ball right back to the Silverbacks.
But a fumble recovery by defensive back Bryceson Lawrence started Marion on its way to 34 straight points.
Lawrence, who was a River Valley graduate and played two seasons with the Marion Mayhem, dropped on the loose ball in the end zone after the center snap sailed past the Dayton quarterback.
"It felt good to be back in Marion, playing in front of people that know you," said Lawrence, who recently spent a little time working out with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. "I was glad I was able to contribute to the team and help us get the win."
Lawrence credited football instincts with getting the fumble recovery.
"A player is coached when you run to the ball good things will happen and I was there to make a play," Lawrence said.
Josh Harris led the first half charge by the Blue Racers, throwing two touchdowns passes, a 46-yard to Mike Tatum and 38 yards to Brandon Williams.
Christen Haywood added a four-yard smash for a touchdown and Tyler Lorenz booted a 34-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.
In addition to Lawrence's fumble recovery, Troy recovered a fumble, Bryan Williams intercepted two passes and Antonio Wells pounced on an onside kick.
Lorenz provided Marion's only points in the second half with a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter. It was his third field goal of the season, including two of more than 40 yards.
Marion completes a four-game homestand Saturday as the Blue Racers will take on the Indianapolis Enforcers before embarking on a two-game road trip that included visits to Dayton and Port Huron.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.