Post by oipheroes on Apr 27, 2009 12:44:33 GMT -5
By Mike Sherman
Facing a division opponent and in desperate need of a win, the Armor used the combination of a new quarterback and an opportunistic defense to notch the team's first victory inside the Armory.
The game was much closer than the 44-26 final score suggests. Harrisburg, down only six, marched deep into D.C. territory with under two minutes to play. But with 52.6 seconds left on the clock and Harrisburg facing fourth and seven from the nine yard line, the Armor forced the Stampede ball carrier out of bounds just yards short of the first down. The turnover on downs gave Armor control of the game, and D.C. would tack on two more touchdowns in the final minute (Gary Brigg scooping up James Gibson's fumble and taking it the rest of the way, and Mike Woodhouse returning an interception for a touchdown as time expired.)
The win allowed the Armor (2-4) to move into third place in the East Division, while the Stampede fell to 2-4 in the first-ever match up between the two expansion teams. D.C. and Harrisburg will tangle again in two weeks, as the Armor make the trip up to Pennsylvania’s capital.
The big question mark heading into the game was who would be under center for the home team. Through five games, the Armor had gone through three different starters and were in desperate need of consistency at quarterback. It turned out the signal caller was indoor football veteran Marlin McKinney, and despite having just a week to get acquainted with his new teammates, McKinney made enough good decisions to win his D.C. debut. The Toledo product would toss three touchdown passes, two to Marcus Hill and one to Gary Brigg, the latter of whom helped his new teammate by making an exceptional diving catch in the end zone.
While the offense showed new life under McKinnie, the defense was once again the standout unit. The Armor defenders picked off Harrisburg’s A.J. Roque six times, returning three for touchdowns. Kabote Sikyala got things started with his first quarter interception, and Ahmad Hawkins and William Haith would each add two, including 50-yard touchdown returns from both men. With the game out of reach, Mike Woodhouse would record the final interception of the day.
Having recorded the fist home win in franchise history, the Armor will begin a three-game road trip this Saturday when they visit the Carolina Speed, who fell to 2-5 after losing to the South Carolina Force 37-27.
www.dcarmor.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=2
Facing a division opponent and in desperate need of a win, the Armor used the combination of a new quarterback and an opportunistic defense to notch the team's first victory inside the Armory.
The game was much closer than the 44-26 final score suggests. Harrisburg, down only six, marched deep into D.C. territory with under two minutes to play. But with 52.6 seconds left on the clock and Harrisburg facing fourth and seven from the nine yard line, the Armor forced the Stampede ball carrier out of bounds just yards short of the first down. The turnover on downs gave Armor control of the game, and D.C. would tack on two more touchdowns in the final minute (Gary Brigg scooping up James Gibson's fumble and taking it the rest of the way, and Mike Woodhouse returning an interception for a touchdown as time expired.)
The win allowed the Armor (2-4) to move into third place in the East Division, while the Stampede fell to 2-4 in the first-ever match up between the two expansion teams. D.C. and Harrisburg will tangle again in two weeks, as the Armor make the trip up to Pennsylvania’s capital.
The big question mark heading into the game was who would be under center for the home team. Through five games, the Armor had gone through three different starters and were in desperate need of consistency at quarterback. It turned out the signal caller was indoor football veteran Marlin McKinney, and despite having just a week to get acquainted with his new teammates, McKinney made enough good decisions to win his D.C. debut. The Toledo product would toss three touchdown passes, two to Marcus Hill and one to Gary Brigg, the latter of whom helped his new teammate by making an exceptional diving catch in the end zone.
While the offense showed new life under McKinnie, the defense was once again the standout unit. The Armor defenders picked off Harrisburg’s A.J. Roque six times, returning three for touchdowns. Kabote Sikyala got things started with his first quarter interception, and Ahmad Hawkins and William Haith would each add two, including 50-yard touchdown returns from both men. With the game out of reach, Mike Woodhouse would record the final interception of the day.
Having recorded the fist home win in franchise history, the Armor will begin a three-game road trip this Saturday when they visit the Carolina Speed, who fell to 2-5 after losing to the South Carolina Force 37-27.
www.dcarmor.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=2