 Warriors suffer 2nd loss of the season
06/11/03 NIFL Fan Article by Philip J. Rogich, Syracuse, UT
On paper this one looked like a sure win for the Warriors. The Warriors beat the Storm easily in Utah. The Warriors have the highest scoring offence and had the second best record in the NIFL. The Storm on the other hand were not impressed and defended there home field. That’s why we line it up and play the game each week.
The Storm got the ball first but Utah’s defense came up big with a goal line stand. Utah got to work early by scoring first, however they had to settle for a Pete Garces 20 yard field goal. Sioux Falls then took the lead with a Hilsenrith 1 yard touchdown run. First quarter ends with the storm up 7 - 3.
Danny Ragsdale is picked off on the third play of the quarter. The Storm capitalize on the turnover by scoring. Both team end up score twice this quarter. Both of Utah’s scores come on pass plays. Utah’s first score is a 4 yard Ragsdale to Grow touchdown pass. The second is a 14 yard Ragsdale to Omar Bacon pass. The Storm are still up at the half 21 - 17.
The half starts with a Emmitt white kick-off return. Utah only moves the ball ten yards before Ragsdale in picked off for the second time of the night. The Storm lead by as much as 11 points before the Warriors start to make a move. Utah goes to there running game for the scores. The first is a 4 yard run by Emmitt White the Other is a 1 yard Omar Bacon run.. Bacon continues to rack up the touchdowns. The game is tied at the end of the 3rd quarter 31 each.
The Storm draw first blood in the quarter with a 16 yard field goal. The Warriors kicker Pete Garces. then shows his strong leg with a 56 yard field goal. The game is tied once more. Sioux Falls score quickly to take the lead once more. Utah get possession of the ball and are stopped on the Storm 4 yard line. All the Storm have to do is run the clock out, however they go for three passes in a row and fail to get a first down. Utah get the ball back down by 7 points wit 1:07 left in the game. The Warriors move the ball down to the Storm 12 yard line and only have time for one play. Danny Ragsdale is intercepted on the goal line by Mark Blackburn. He runs it back for a touchdown. Final Score, Strom 47 - Warriors 34.
Quarterback Danny Ragsdale struggled during the game with three interceptions. He ended the game 26 of 39 2 Touchdowns an 3 INT. Emmitt White lead all players in receiving yards with 90 and in total yards with 205. He also added a touchdown. Omar Bacon had two touchdowns to lead the Warriors in scoring.
Kicker Pete Garces had a big night. He was 4 of 4 on PAT and 2 of 3 on field goals. He made field goals of 20 & 56 yards, while missing a 43 yarder. Trevor bell lead the defense with 5 tackles and a interception that he returned for 27 yards.
This loss puts Utah in a tie in the Pacific with the Omaha Beef, with the Beef having the tie breaker. The Warriors need to continue to win to get home field in the first round. They need to Beef to loss a game to get home field in the second round. Lucky for the Warriors, three of there last four games are at home.. The Warriors are undefeated at home.
The opinions expressed in articles or commentaries on nationalindoorfootballleague.net are only those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts, opinions, or official stance of the National Indoor Football League, it's member teams or staff. Please refer to the privacy and legal section for more information
|
