Post by Banana Cat on Mar 19, 2011 7:05:03 GMT -5
www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x27441926/Hammer-beats-Drillers-tied-for-first
Hammer beats Drillers, ties for first
March 19, 2011
DAVE WALSH / The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- Huntington has a share of first place in the Ultimate Indoor Football League and the Coal Cup in its possession courtesy of its 39-28 victory Friday night over Eastern Kentucky in front of an estimated crowd of 1,300 in Big Sandy Superstore Arena.
Huntington Hammer quarterback Martevious Young ran for three touchdowns and threw two TD passes. On defense, the Hammer held their fourth straight opponent under 40 points.
The Coal Cup goes to the winner of each game in this rivalry. The Drillers from Pikeville, Ky., won the first meeting on Feb. 25. The two are not scheduled to meet again during the regular season.
"Another great job by the defense," Huntington coach Josh Resignalo said. "On offense we're jelling. The switch to the gun (shotgun) helped. The running game is better. We'll build off this one."
The Hammer and Northern Kentucky share first place, both at 3-1. The River Monsters routed Johnstown, 79-21, Friday night at home. Huntington is back home next Friday against Johnstown.
Young's first TD was a 12-yard run on an option keeper to cap the opening drive. The Drillers tied it a 7-7 on Allan Holland's 4-yard TD pass to Aric Evans in the second quarter. The Hammer took the lead for good on the final play of the first half when Jeff Phillips grabbed Young's Hail Mary heave in the end zone for a 30-yard TD. Phillips did double duty, handling placements and kickoffs. He made three conversions.
"God gave me the athletic ability and I made the play on the ball," Phillips said of closing the half in dramatic fashion. "I'm thinking the ball is mine, I want it. I got inside the defender and knew I had it."
In Week 2, Young threw four interceptions in a 37-26 loss at Eastern Kentucky. The Southern Miss product had one Friday night.
And, thanks to Resignalo putting Young in the shotgun, he posed a threat to the Drillers with his arm and legs.
"A big difference," Young said, recalling he got yanked right before the half in the opener against Canton. "I manage the game better now. I read what's there and make the play."
"We put him in his element," Resignalo said. "He can make plays with his arm and his feet."
Eastern Kentucky came in as one of the most potent offensive teams in the UIFL. The 28 points mark a season low for the Drillers.
However, the visitors did make it interesting late. Holland hooked up with Matthew Barbour for TD passes of 14 and 9 yards in the fourth period to cut the deficit to 33-28. That's when Young countered with his game-deciding 14-yard TD run.
"This is one of our biggest rivals," Resignalo said. "There was a lot of talk down there. They showed us, but we said not this time."
In the third quarter, defensive end Michael Robinson blocked a Drillers field goal and the Hammer converted the break into a TD, a 1-yard run by Joshua Kaltsas.
"I came through clean," Robinson said. "The goal was to put pressure on the quarterback and jump the routes. This is a great feeling."
EASTERN KENTUCKY 0 7 7 14 -- 28
HUNTINGTON 7 7 13 12 -- 39
H -- Young 12 run (Phillips kick)
EK -- Evans 4 pass from Holland (Miller kick)
H -- Phillips 30 pass from Young (Phillips kick)
H -- Kaltsas 1 run (Phillips kick)
EK -- Evans 7 pass from Holland (Miller kick)
H -- Phillips 16 pass from Young (kick failed)
H -- Young 33 run (kick failed)
EK -- Barbour 14 pass from Holland (Miller kick)
EK -- Barbour 9 pass from Holland (Miller kick)
H -- Young 14 run (pass failed)
March 19, 2011
DAVE WALSH / The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- Huntington has a share of first place in the Ultimate Indoor Football League and the Coal Cup in its possession courtesy of its 39-28 victory Friday night over Eastern Kentucky in front of an estimated crowd of 1,300 in Big Sandy Superstore Arena.
Huntington Hammer quarterback Martevious Young ran for three touchdowns and threw two TD passes. On defense, the Hammer held their fourth straight opponent under 40 points.
The Coal Cup goes to the winner of each game in this rivalry. The Drillers from Pikeville, Ky., won the first meeting on Feb. 25. The two are not scheduled to meet again during the regular season.
"Another great job by the defense," Huntington coach Josh Resignalo said. "On offense we're jelling. The switch to the gun (shotgun) helped. The running game is better. We'll build off this one."
The Hammer and Northern Kentucky share first place, both at 3-1. The River Monsters routed Johnstown, 79-21, Friday night at home. Huntington is back home next Friday against Johnstown.
Young's first TD was a 12-yard run on an option keeper to cap the opening drive. The Drillers tied it a 7-7 on Allan Holland's 4-yard TD pass to Aric Evans in the second quarter. The Hammer took the lead for good on the final play of the first half when Jeff Phillips grabbed Young's Hail Mary heave in the end zone for a 30-yard TD. Phillips did double duty, handling placements and kickoffs. He made three conversions.
"God gave me the athletic ability and I made the play on the ball," Phillips said of closing the half in dramatic fashion. "I'm thinking the ball is mine, I want it. I got inside the defender and knew I had it."
In Week 2, Young threw four interceptions in a 37-26 loss at Eastern Kentucky. The Southern Miss product had one Friday night.
And, thanks to Resignalo putting Young in the shotgun, he posed a threat to the Drillers with his arm and legs.
"A big difference," Young said, recalling he got yanked right before the half in the opener against Canton. "I manage the game better now. I read what's there and make the play."
"We put him in his element," Resignalo said. "He can make plays with his arm and his feet."
Eastern Kentucky came in as one of the most potent offensive teams in the UIFL. The 28 points mark a season low for the Drillers.
However, the visitors did make it interesting late. Holland hooked up with Matthew Barbour for TD passes of 14 and 9 yards in the fourth period to cut the deficit to 33-28. That's when Young countered with his game-deciding 14-yard TD run.
"This is one of our biggest rivals," Resignalo said. "There was a lot of talk down there. They showed us, but we said not this time."
In the third quarter, defensive end Michael Robinson blocked a Drillers field goal and the Hammer converted the break into a TD, a 1-yard run by Joshua Kaltsas.
"I came through clean," Robinson said. "The goal was to put pressure on the quarterback and jump the routes. This is a great feeling."
EASTERN KENTUCKY 0 7 7 14 -- 28
HUNTINGTON 7 7 13 12 -- 39
H -- Young 12 run (Phillips kick)
EK -- Evans 4 pass from Holland (Miller kick)
H -- Phillips 30 pass from Young (Phillips kick)
H -- Kaltsas 1 run (Phillips kick)
EK -- Evans 7 pass from Holland (Miller kick)
H -- Phillips 16 pass from Young (kick failed)
H -- Young 33 run (kick failed)
EK -- Barbour 14 pass from Holland (Miller kick)
EK -- Barbour 9 pass from Holland (Miller kick)
H -- Young 14 run (pass failed)