Post by Free Agent Fan on Mar 5, 2007 14:26:53 GMT -5
Heroes Win in Thriller
Florence, SC- After giving up 34 points in the first half the Heroes defense stepped it up in the second half only giving up one touchdown to the Florence Phantoms. But that wasn't the story of this game, the defense would be called on not once, not twice but three times late in the game to put the Heroes in position to come from behind and beat the Phantoms.
Trailing 40-29 going into the fourth quarter the Heroes needed to make a few stops and then put points on the board on offense. Early in the quarter the Heroes defense made a stand and forced the Phantoms to attempt a long 51 yard field goal. The kick was short and Desmond Maul returned the kick all the way to the Florence 3. Two plays later new Heroes QB Joey Conrad tossed his second TD pass of the game to cut the lead to 40-35 with about 8:00 to go. The defense would respond again, but the Phantoms managed to kill some time and drive into Heroes territory before attempting a 33 yard field goal that was missed again. With time running out and their backs to the wall the Heroes offense mis-fired and gave the ball back on a three and out. Nick Kelly was forced to try a 54 yard field goal and it was returned by the Phantoms all the way to the Huntington 15.
The ensuing events turned out to be the biggest clutch performance by the Heroes this season. On first down the Heroes defense sacked Florence QB Mike Rathe for a loss of four. On second down the Phantoms got a big play, completing a pass to the Heroes 4 yard line and a first down. The Heroes D stiffened stuffing the next two Phantom running attempts. With fourth and goal from the 1 the Phantoms opted to go for it instead of kicking and giving themselves a comfortable 8 point lead. Another run attempt was stuffed again by the Heroes, giving the ball back to the offense with under one minute to go.
The Heroes offense didn't waste this opportunity. With the whole field in front of them Joey Conrad hit Thomas Riley for a 44 yard gain to the Florence 5 on the first play. Two plays later Conrad found James Hawkins for a 5 yard TD pass giving the Heroes the lead for the first time since the first quarter. The Heroes would convert a two point conversion to make the score 43-40.
But the Phantoms were not done. Starting the drive at their own 13 Mike Rathe again completed a big pass to the Heroes 6 yard line. An incomplete pass on second down setup the final and biggest play of the game. With seconds left Mike Rathe would drop back to pass, but a strong Heroes pass rush was in his face and he fumbled the ball. A Phantom player recovered but he was quickly smothered sealing the come from behind victory for the Heroes.
The Heroes even up its record at 2-2 with the win. The Phantoms fall to 1-2. The Heroes were tweaking its lineup a bit with a few new faces on the field this week. Most notably was new starting QB Joey Conrad. Conrad finished unofficially 11 of 39 for 172 yards 3 TD and 2 Interceptions.
The Heroes take next week off again before traveling to Concord, NC to play in an exhibition charity game against the Carolina Speed on March 17. The Heroes next official game is at home when they host the Johnstown Riverhawks March 24.
Florence, SC- After giving up 34 points in the first half the Heroes defense stepped it up in the second half only giving up one touchdown to the Florence Phantoms. But that wasn't the story of this game, the defense would be called on not once, not twice but three times late in the game to put the Heroes in position to come from behind and beat the Phantoms.
Trailing 40-29 going into the fourth quarter the Heroes needed to make a few stops and then put points on the board on offense. Early in the quarter the Heroes defense made a stand and forced the Phantoms to attempt a long 51 yard field goal. The kick was short and Desmond Maul returned the kick all the way to the Florence 3. Two plays later new Heroes QB Joey Conrad tossed his second TD pass of the game to cut the lead to 40-35 with about 8:00 to go. The defense would respond again, but the Phantoms managed to kill some time and drive into Heroes territory before attempting a 33 yard field goal that was missed again. With time running out and their backs to the wall the Heroes offense mis-fired and gave the ball back on a three and out. Nick Kelly was forced to try a 54 yard field goal and it was returned by the Phantoms all the way to the Huntington 15.
The ensuing events turned out to be the biggest clutch performance by the Heroes this season. On first down the Heroes defense sacked Florence QB Mike Rathe for a loss of four. On second down the Phantoms got a big play, completing a pass to the Heroes 4 yard line and a first down. The Heroes D stiffened stuffing the next two Phantom running attempts. With fourth and goal from the 1 the Phantoms opted to go for it instead of kicking and giving themselves a comfortable 8 point lead. Another run attempt was stuffed again by the Heroes, giving the ball back to the offense with under one minute to go.
The Heroes offense didn't waste this opportunity. With the whole field in front of them Joey Conrad hit Thomas Riley for a 44 yard gain to the Florence 5 on the first play. Two plays later Conrad found James Hawkins for a 5 yard TD pass giving the Heroes the lead for the first time since the first quarter. The Heroes would convert a two point conversion to make the score 43-40.
But the Phantoms were not done. Starting the drive at their own 13 Mike Rathe again completed a big pass to the Heroes 6 yard line. An incomplete pass on second down setup the final and biggest play of the game. With seconds left Mike Rathe would drop back to pass, but a strong Heroes pass rush was in his face and he fumbled the ball. A Phantom player recovered but he was quickly smothered sealing the come from behind victory for the Heroes.
The Heroes even up its record at 2-2 with the win. The Phantoms fall to 1-2. The Heroes were tweaking its lineup a bit with a few new faces on the field this week. Most notably was new starting QB Joey Conrad. Conrad finished unofficially 11 of 39 for 172 yards 3 TD and 2 Interceptions.
The Heroes take next week off again before traveling to Concord, NC to play in an exhibition charity game against the Carolina Speed on March 17. The Heroes next official game is at home when they host the Johnstown Riverhawks March 24.