Pioneers Defense Dominates Quad City
Jason Moyer
Sunday April 10, 2005
The Pioneers defense allowed a measly 175 total yards to Quad City, posting six stops and recovering two fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown by FB/LB Demetrius Austrum. The Pioneers also recorded three quarterback sacks on the night.
The second half numbers were especially impressive. During the third quarter of the game, the Steemwheelers managed just two complete passes and LOST 19 yards in the quarter. The Steemwheelers mustered a mere 45 total yards in the entire half. A look at Quad City’s second half drive chart displays just how dominant the Pioneers defense was:
1st possession – 4 plays, 5 yards (missed field goal)
2nd possession – 4 plays, 7 yards (missed field goal)
3rd possession – 1 play, 3 yards (fumble)
4th possession – 1 play, 4 yards (fumble returned for touchdown)
5th possession – 5 plays, 21 yards (turnover on downs)
6th possession – 5 plays, 41 yards (end of game)
"We just played our normal game plan," said Pioneers head coach Les Moss. "We were able to get heat on them and it always starts with getting pressure on the quarterback."
ADT Defensive Player of the Game Jamie Hattley commented, "Once we got a feel for them, we just really played our game. The first half, we threw in a couple of zones and they picked us apart. We told ourselves that we wanted to make it hard on them. Everybody just took the challenge and played their man one-on-one."
The momentum of the game changed at the end of the first half when Kyle Rowley led a perfect 59-second drive hitting Rocco Forgione with one second remaining to tie the score 28-28 heading into halftime. Wilkes-Barre took the momentum and never looked back outscoring Quad City 36-0 the rest of the way.
"That was big because we opened the second half with possession," Moss said. "We got a couple of turnovers that you don’t always get and opened up a two-possession lead on them. They’re a better team than what they showed out there tonight. We just got some lucky breaks."
Moss is more than modest describing his team as lucky. In my opinion, they were more than lucky. They were ‘defensively dominant’.
Inside the numbers:
Rocco Forgione was named Offensive Player of the Game. Forgione collected six receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
Ameer Riley earned Ironman of the Game honors hauling in five catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Riley also had three tackles on defense.
Jamie Hattley was awarded Defensive Player of the Game breaking up four passes and amassing three tackles.
Kyle Rowley finished the game 19 of 27 for 229 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.
Quad City kicker Nick Gatto, a familiar Arena Football League name, was 0-3 on his field goal attempts.
Looking ahead:
Wilkes-Barre takes to the road for the first time next Friday when they travel to Albany to square off against the Conquest.
"We have to go and play a very good Albany team," Moss said. "Last year we went up there and they beat us. They’re a better team now, so it’s going to be tough."
Jason Moyer is an elementary school teacher in the western New Jersey area. He is an avid follower of the Arena Football League and has been covering the Philadelphia Soul with ArenaFan.com since 2005. Jason resides in Whitehall, PA with his wife and daughter.
