Post by lionsroar on Mar 22, 2009 7:02:28 GMT -5
www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090322/SPORTS/903220314/1002/SPORTS
Force claim their turf
Greenville football fans have been waiting a long time for the return of indoor football, but on Saturday night, they didn't mind waiting a little longer than expected
The South Carolina Force scheduled their franchise-opening game for 7 p.m. on Saturday. However, the playing surface was not ready for play at 7, and nearly 3,500 fans were forced to wait more than an hour for the opening kickoff.
Neither the long wait, nor the Force's 39-18 loss to the Fayetteville Guard, dampered the enthusiasm in the Bi-Lo Center, as some fans made the most of their time.
During the delay, long-time University of South Carolina fans Clark Cromer and Darin Horne came down from their seats in section 116 to the boundary walls, where they were greeted by former USC quarterback Blake Mitchell -- now the Force's starting signal-caller.
Cromer got his Gamecocks jersey and his Force cap signed. He spoke with Mitchell between warm-up tosses, getting much closer than he ever got to Mitchell at Williams-Brice Stadium.
"I couldn't even see him then," Cromer recalled. "This is what's all about. Up close and personal. I've been waiting 5 years to meet him. I was so excited. I couldn't wait."
Ironically, it was the delay that allowed Cromer the opportunity, although he would not have left the arena for anything.
"When I first heard about this, I knew it would be awesome," Cromer said. "I knew we had to be at the first game. It was worth the wait."
The Force (0-1) waited a while to get its offense going, but Mitchell finally found the end zone with 4:48 left in the first half by connecting on a 28-yard pass to former Furman wideout Isaac West for the Force's first touchdown.
Former Clemson kicker Jad Dean had scored the franchise's first points, connecting on a 29-yard field goal with 12:32 left in the second quarter.
South Carolina trailed by only nine points at halftime, but two Mitchell interceptions and a lost fumble were quickly converted into 17 points for Fayetteville.
The Force never recovered and were outscored 20-8 in the second half.
"It's unfortunate," said Force coach Bubba Diggs, "but it lets us know where we stand.
"I believe the delay took a little bit away from us. The guys were anxious and excited to play, and then that took them down. But it had more to do with turnovers and not executing. It showed a lack of preparation in the arena. We'll make some evaluations and go from there."
Mitchell finished 20-for-40 with 224 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. Anthony Young led the Force with 14 receptions for 133 yards.
The Force will return to action on Saturday, visiting the Reading (Penn.) Express. The team will return home to the Bi-Lo Center on April 11 to face the Florence Phantoms in front of the patient Greenville fans.
"This is a great city," Diggs said. "They deserve a football team. I'm looking for bigger and better things. I don't think they'll throw the towel in on us yet."
:smileyforce:
Force claim their turf
Greenville football fans have been waiting a long time for the return of indoor football, but on Saturday night, they didn't mind waiting a little longer than expected
The South Carolina Force scheduled their franchise-opening game for 7 p.m. on Saturday. However, the playing surface was not ready for play at 7, and nearly 3,500 fans were forced to wait more than an hour for the opening kickoff.
Neither the long wait, nor the Force's 39-18 loss to the Fayetteville Guard, dampered the enthusiasm in the Bi-Lo Center, as some fans made the most of their time.
During the delay, long-time University of South Carolina fans Clark Cromer and Darin Horne came down from their seats in section 116 to the boundary walls, where they were greeted by former USC quarterback Blake Mitchell -- now the Force's starting signal-caller.
Cromer got his Gamecocks jersey and his Force cap signed. He spoke with Mitchell between warm-up tosses, getting much closer than he ever got to Mitchell at Williams-Brice Stadium.
"I couldn't even see him then," Cromer recalled. "This is what's all about. Up close and personal. I've been waiting 5 years to meet him. I was so excited. I couldn't wait."
Ironically, it was the delay that allowed Cromer the opportunity, although he would not have left the arena for anything.
"When I first heard about this, I knew it would be awesome," Cromer said. "I knew we had to be at the first game. It was worth the wait."
The Force (0-1) waited a while to get its offense going, but Mitchell finally found the end zone with 4:48 left in the first half by connecting on a 28-yard pass to former Furman wideout Isaac West for the Force's first touchdown.
Former Clemson kicker Jad Dean had scored the franchise's first points, connecting on a 29-yard field goal with 12:32 left in the second quarter.
South Carolina trailed by only nine points at halftime, but two Mitchell interceptions and a lost fumble were quickly converted into 17 points for Fayetteville.
The Force never recovered and were outscored 20-8 in the second half.
"It's unfortunate," said Force coach Bubba Diggs, "but it lets us know where we stand.
"I believe the delay took a little bit away from us. The guys were anxious and excited to play, and then that took them down. But it had more to do with turnovers and not executing. It showed a lack of preparation in the arena. We'll make some evaluations and go from there."
Mitchell finished 20-for-40 with 224 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. Anthony Young led the Force with 14 receptions for 133 yards.
The Force will return to action on Saturday, visiting the Reading (Penn.) Express. The team will return home to the Bi-Lo Center on April 11 to face the Florence Phantoms in front of the patient Greenville fans.
"This is a great city," Diggs said. "They deserve a football team. I'm looking for bigger and better things. I don't think they'll throw the towel in on us yet."
:smileyforce:
