Post by Banana Cat on Mar 10, 2011 0:18:22 GMT -5
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www.marionstar.com/article/20110307/SPORTS/103070308/Blue-Racers-celebrate-first-win?odyssey=nav|head
Blue Racers earn thrilling win in season opener
Mar. 5, 2011
MARION — The Marion Blue Racers made their debut in the Continental Indoor Football League a successful one with a 44-37 victory over the Port Huron Predators Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
But it took a touchdown by Josh Harris with 27 seconds left in the game and an interception by Bryan Williams on the game’s final play to get the win.
“The game was the way it needed to be but if it was up to me it would have been a lot easier,” Blue Racers head coach Demetrius Ross said.
Harris’ touchdown, a 12-yard scamper around the right side, capped a stirring comeback by the Racers, who trailed 37-23 at the end of the third quarter.
Marion started its comeback with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Harris to Mike Tatum with 10:34 left and the point-after kick by Tyler Lorenz.
The Blue Racers stopped the Predators on the next possession and a long field goal attempt came up short and Tatum returned it to the Port Huron 7.
Three players later Harris scored on a three-yard run and Lorenz’s PAT boot tied the game at 37.
The defense once again rose to the occasion, stopping the Predators on fourth down at the Port Huron 12.
On the very next play, Harris faked to the running back going left and then he went to the right, stretching the ball across the goal line for the touchdown with 27 seconds left.
Port Huron still had one more chance but Jim Roth’s deep pass into the end zone on the game’s final play was intercepted by Williams, securing the win.
Marion led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Blue Racers scored on an eight-yard pass from Harris to Tatum and the Predators scored on a seven-yard run by Roth.
The Predators took a 25-20 lead at the half, scoring on a 12-yard pass from Roth to Devon Daniels with four seconds left.
Harris threw for two touchdowns in the quarter, an eight-yard strike to Christian Haywood and six yards to Tatum.
But two touchdown runs by Port Huron’s Levi Raines surrounded a 41-yard field goal by Lorenz and the Predators held a 37-23 with one quarter left to play.
Harris rushed for 48 yards on 11 carries while completing seven of 12 passes for 37 yards and throwing one interception. Jerard Bennent totaled 22 yards on five rushes for the Blue Racers.
Levi Raines had a big game rushing, gaining 127 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns while Roth was eight-of 23 passing for 74 yards but suffered three picks.
Marion returns to action next Saturday at home against the Cincinnati Commandos, the defending CIFL champion.
Mar. 5, 2011
MARION — The Marion Blue Racers made their debut in the Continental Indoor Football League a successful one with a 44-37 victory over the Port Huron Predators Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
But it took a touchdown by Josh Harris with 27 seconds left in the game and an interception by Bryan Williams on the game’s final play to get the win.
“The game was the way it needed to be but if it was up to me it would have been a lot easier,” Blue Racers head coach Demetrius Ross said.
Harris’ touchdown, a 12-yard scamper around the right side, capped a stirring comeback by the Racers, who trailed 37-23 at the end of the third quarter.
Marion started its comeback with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Harris to Mike Tatum with 10:34 left and the point-after kick by Tyler Lorenz.
The Blue Racers stopped the Predators on the next possession and a long field goal attempt came up short and Tatum returned it to the Port Huron 7.
Three players later Harris scored on a three-yard run and Lorenz’s PAT boot tied the game at 37.
The defense once again rose to the occasion, stopping the Predators on fourth down at the Port Huron 12.
On the very next play, Harris faked to the running back going left and then he went to the right, stretching the ball across the goal line for the touchdown with 27 seconds left.
Port Huron still had one more chance but Jim Roth’s deep pass into the end zone on the game’s final play was intercepted by Williams, securing the win.
Marion led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Blue Racers scored on an eight-yard pass from Harris to Tatum and the Predators scored on a seven-yard run by Roth.
The Predators took a 25-20 lead at the half, scoring on a 12-yard pass from Roth to Devon Daniels with four seconds left.
Harris threw for two touchdowns in the quarter, an eight-yard strike to Christian Haywood and six yards to Tatum.
But two touchdown runs by Port Huron’s Levi Raines surrounded a 41-yard field goal by Lorenz and the Predators held a 37-23 with one quarter left to play.
Harris rushed for 48 yards on 11 carries while completing seven of 12 passes for 37 yards and throwing one interception. Jerard Bennent totaled 22 yards on five rushes for the Blue Racers.
Levi Raines had a big game rushing, gaining 127 yards on 17 carries with three touchdowns while Roth was eight-of 23 passing for 74 yards but suffered three picks.
Marion returns to action next Saturday at home against the Cincinnati Commandos, the defending CIFL champion.
www.marionstar.com/article/20110307/SPORTS/103070308/Blue-Racers-celebrate-first-win?odyssey=nav|head
Blue Racers celebrate first win
Mar. 7, 2011.
Written by BOB PUTMAN
MARION - It was more than 30 minutes after the Marion Blue Racers had defeated the Port Huron Predators in the Blue Racers' Continental Indoor Football League season opener.
Blue Racers CEO/general manager LaMonte Coleman was tightly clutching the game ball as if losing it was going to negate the 44-37 victory the Blue Racers earned Saturday night at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
"What a great win," Coleman said. "We are going to celebrate this with the Marion people that believed in us."
It was the Blue Racers first-ever game in the CIFL and the outcome was not decided until the very last play.
Former Bowling Green quarterback and Westerville North graduate Josh Harris scored on a 12-yard bootleg run around the right side with 27 seconds left.
"When the hole opened up, I just tried to run it in," said Harris, who reached across the goal with ball an instant before hitting the sideline border. The wide receivers did a great job of blocking downfield."
But the Blue Racers defense, which had held the Predators scoreless in the fourth quarter, needed one more stop to secure the victory.
Bryan Williams made the stop on the final play with an interception of Jim Roth in the end zone.
Williams' play was just one of many made by the defense in the fourth quarter.
"I give all the credit to defensive coordinator Ryan Terry," Blue Racers head coach Demetrius Ross said. "We needed stops and he knew what plays to dial up and bring the best out of the players."
"Our defense helped us out all game," Harris said. "At crunch time, we made the plays to win the game."
The Blue Racers trailed 37-23 going into the fourth quarter, but a nine-yard pass from Harris to Mike Tatum cut the lead to 37-30 and Harris' three-yard scamper and Tyler Lorenz's point-after kick tied the game at 37 with 2:50 left.
"Port Huron took it to us early," Ross said. "We prepare for adversity and hit us early. When you can believe in yourself the football game will take care of itself."
"I knew coach Ross would put the team in a good position to win," Coleman said. "The team bounced back and showed how resilient they can be with its play in the fourth quarter."
Ross spent his youth in Marion and getting the win was a little more special because of that.
"It was great to be back home, get the win in front of our home fans and give LC (Coleman) the game ball," Ross said. "Who could ask for anything more."
The Blue Racers return to play Saturday, when they host the defending champion Cincinnati Commandos.
Mar. 7, 2011.
Written by BOB PUTMAN
MARION - It was more than 30 minutes after the Marion Blue Racers had defeated the Port Huron Predators in the Blue Racers' Continental Indoor Football League season opener.
Blue Racers CEO/general manager LaMonte Coleman was tightly clutching the game ball as if losing it was going to negate the 44-37 victory the Blue Racers earned Saturday night at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
"What a great win," Coleman said. "We are going to celebrate this with the Marion people that believed in us."
It was the Blue Racers first-ever game in the CIFL and the outcome was not decided until the very last play.
Former Bowling Green quarterback and Westerville North graduate Josh Harris scored on a 12-yard bootleg run around the right side with 27 seconds left.
"When the hole opened up, I just tried to run it in," said Harris, who reached across the goal with ball an instant before hitting the sideline border. The wide receivers did a great job of blocking downfield."
But the Blue Racers defense, which had held the Predators scoreless in the fourth quarter, needed one more stop to secure the victory.
Bryan Williams made the stop on the final play with an interception of Jim Roth in the end zone.
Williams' play was just one of many made by the defense in the fourth quarter.
"I give all the credit to defensive coordinator Ryan Terry," Blue Racers head coach Demetrius Ross said. "We needed stops and he knew what plays to dial up and bring the best out of the players."
"Our defense helped us out all game," Harris said. "At crunch time, we made the plays to win the game."
The Blue Racers trailed 37-23 going into the fourth quarter, but a nine-yard pass from Harris to Mike Tatum cut the lead to 37-30 and Harris' three-yard scamper and Tyler Lorenz's point-after kick tied the game at 37 with 2:50 left.
"Port Huron took it to us early," Ross said. "We prepare for adversity and hit us early. When you can believe in yourself the football game will take care of itself."
"I knew coach Ross would put the team in a good position to win," Coleman said. "The team bounced back and showed how resilient they can be with its play in the fourth quarter."
Ross spent his youth in Marion and getting the win was a little more special because of that.
"It was great to be back home, get the win in front of our home fans and give LC (Coleman) the game ball," Ross said. "Who could ask for anything more."
The Blue Racers return to play Saturday, when they host the defending champion Cincinnati Commandos.