Post by 50yardfan on May 1, 2011 13:03:25 GMT -5
www.marionstar.com/article/20110501/SPORTS/110430007/Defense-stands-out-Blue-Racers-victory
MARION — The Marion Blue Racers spent the majority of their game Saturday against the Chicago Knights defending their side of the turf.
But except for a field goal on the first series of the game, the Blue Racers defense was equal to the task and came away with a 31-3 victory at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Chicago snapped the ball 48 times from scrimmage and all but 10 of them came on the Knights’ side of the midfield stripe.
But time and time again the Blue Racers put up a defensive wall to keep the Knights out of the end zone.
Chicago’s only score of the game was a 28-yard field goal by Julie Harshbarger with just under 90 seconds into the first quarter.
“We feel our defense can lock it down no matter the position on the field,” Blue Racers defensive lineman Mike Cross said. “The low man wins up front and we all fight to the ball.”
“Anywhere on the field we feel we are going to get a stop,” defensive back Bryceson Lawrence said. “Everyone was making plays to get us out of it.”
Marion held Chicago to just 80 yards in total offense and tackled Chicago runners seven times behind the line of scrimmage.
The Blue Racers offense struggled most of the game but still found the right combinations to score four touchdowns.
“The offense was a little flat with us coming off a bye week,” Marion head coach Ryan Terry said. “But we got a good defense and good defense will win championships.”
Chicago picked off two Josh Harris passes in the first quarter, one by Harvey Allen and another by Jim Cichon, and led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.
But Marion took the lead for good on the first play of the second quarter as Harris completed a six-yard throw to Antonio Wells for the touchdown.
Ryan Lorenz kicked the point after and Marion led 7-3.
It was not until the last play of the second quarter that Marion would add to its total.
Cross sacked Chicago quarterback Brandon Jewett in the end zone for a safety and the Blue Racers led 9-3 at the half.
Marion made it 11-3 early in the third quarter as it blocked a kick and the ball sailed into the seats behind the goal line for another safety.
Harris threw his second touchdown of the game following the safety, connecting with Mike Tatum for another six-yard tally. Lorenz booted the PAT to up the margin to 18-3.
Marion scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, a five-yard run by Marc Huddleston and two-yard smash by Christen Haywood.
The win pushed Marion’s record to 6-1 on the season, keeping one-half game back of league-leading Chicago.
The Blue Racers have already clinched a spot in the playoffs and are close to securing a home game in the first round.
But with three regular season games still left to play, including a return match at Chicago and the regular-season finale at Cincinnati, Terry does not want the team to relax.
“We are not wanting to slow down at all,” Terry said. “We want the players to remember to begin each day with the end in mind and that is the championship.”
MARION — The Marion Blue Racers spent the majority of their game Saturday against the Chicago Knights defending their side of the turf.
But except for a field goal on the first series of the game, the Blue Racers defense was equal to the task and came away with a 31-3 victory at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Chicago snapped the ball 48 times from scrimmage and all but 10 of them came on the Knights’ side of the midfield stripe.
But time and time again the Blue Racers put up a defensive wall to keep the Knights out of the end zone.
Chicago’s only score of the game was a 28-yard field goal by Julie Harshbarger with just under 90 seconds into the first quarter.
“We feel our defense can lock it down no matter the position on the field,” Blue Racers defensive lineman Mike Cross said. “The low man wins up front and we all fight to the ball.”
“Anywhere on the field we feel we are going to get a stop,” defensive back Bryceson Lawrence said. “Everyone was making plays to get us out of it.”
Marion held Chicago to just 80 yards in total offense and tackled Chicago runners seven times behind the line of scrimmage.
The Blue Racers offense struggled most of the game but still found the right combinations to score four touchdowns.
“The offense was a little flat with us coming off a bye week,” Marion head coach Ryan Terry said. “But we got a good defense and good defense will win championships.”
Chicago picked off two Josh Harris passes in the first quarter, one by Harvey Allen and another by Jim Cichon, and led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.
But Marion took the lead for good on the first play of the second quarter as Harris completed a six-yard throw to Antonio Wells for the touchdown.
Ryan Lorenz kicked the point after and Marion led 7-3.
It was not until the last play of the second quarter that Marion would add to its total.
Cross sacked Chicago quarterback Brandon Jewett in the end zone for a safety and the Blue Racers led 9-3 at the half.
Marion made it 11-3 early in the third quarter as it blocked a kick and the ball sailed into the seats behind the goal line for another safety.
Harris threw his second touchdown of the game following the safety, connecting with Mike Tatum for another six-yard tally. Lorenz booted the PAT to up the margin to 18-3.
Marion scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, a five-yard run by Marc Huddleston and two-yard smash by Christen Haywood.
The win pushed Marion’s record to 6-1 on the season, keeping one-half game back of league-leading Chicago.
The Blue Racers have already clinched a spot in the playoffs and are close to securing a home game in the first round.
But with three regular season games still left to play, including a return match at Chicago and the regular-season finale at Cincinnati, Terry does not want the team to relax.
“We are not wanting to slow down at all,” Terry said. “We want the players to remember to begin each day with the end in mind and that is the championship.”