The game summary below is a partial copy of a team press release found on Our Sports Central. It was written by Eric D. Williams. The photography of Marlon Williams appeared on Instagram without credit being given.
...After a back-and-forth first half dominated by defense, the Breakers drove 75 yards on 17 plays to open the second half.
(Kyle) Sloter finished the drive by hitting Johnnie Dixon on an in-route for a 10-yard touchdown that went through the hands of linebacker Scooby Wright. The drive took 8:50 off the clock in the third quarter and put New Orleans up 13-10.
However, the Stallions roared back, taking a 17-13 lead with 7:56 left when J'Mar Smith connected with (Victor) Bolden on a 19-yard corner route
Bolden thought he got in on the previous play, but the official called him out of bounds. Stallions head coach Skip Holtz said after a timeout he just flipped the play to the other side of the field.
"We talked about it during the week that they were going to play us in a lot of man, a lot of single-high coverage," Bolden said. "It was something where we made sure we got the timing down during the week. I just give credit to J'Mar for giving me an opportunity to make a play."
The Stallions appeared to put the game away when Dondrea Tillman strip-sacked Sloter in the end zone. New Orleans lineman Kai Absheer recovered for a safety, putting Birmingham ahead 19-13.
But on Birmingham's next possession, Nigel Chavis blocked Brandon Wright's punt and the Breakers took over at the Stallions' 25-yard line.
DeMarquis Gates sacked Sloter on the next play, and the Breakers had to settle for a 43-yard field goal attempt by Austin MacGinnis, which he missed.
The Breakers would get the ball back, but Gates then picked off a Sloter offering over the middle, returning it to the New Orleans' 18-yard line to put the game away. Brandon Aubrey drilled a 33-yard field goal to give the Stallions a 22-13 lead with 1:16 left to play.
"The crowd is making a huge difference," Holtz said. "So, thank you, thank you to the city of Birmingham for the way you've supported this team because I think they play with that passion, but the fans cheer with the passion.
"I don't know how many three-and-outs we started the game with, but they just started cheering harder for the defense. It just got noticeable. I could hear it, and I was wearing a headset. I thought the crowd was great."
No comments:
Post a Comment