Pioneers Defeat Conquest in ‘Homecoming’ Game
Jason Moyer
Monday July 25, 2005
"It’s good to be home," commented Offensive Coordinator Terry Karg, who filled in for Head Coach Les Moss due to health reasons. "The crowd really gets into the game. They’re pretty vocal and loud, especially in the fourth quarter. It makes it tough for the opposition."
The homecoming did not begin very well for the Pioneers as Albany scored on their first possession, then successfully recovered an onside kick. The subsequent touchdown run by Kyle Obendorf put the Conquest ahead 14-0 before Wilkes-Barre/Scranton even touched the football.
The remainder of the first half was typical arena football as the teams traded touchdowns on the next eight possessions. Albany headed into the locker room with a 40-27 lead.
"It was really a track meet in the first half," observed Karg. "They were in a really good rhythm and I was being too conservative with the calls on defense".
With Coach Moss unavailable, the coaching staff brainstormed changes to help out the defense.
"[Line coach] Joe DeMelfi made the point at half time ‘let’s turn them loose and try to get them out of rhythm’," stated Karg. "I think that’s what helped us get over the hump and play better defensively."
‘Turning them loose’ was just what the defense needed as they gave up only one touchdown and created four stops in the second half allowing the Pioneers to battle back.
Taso Apostolidis got things started for the defense when he chased down Jeremiah Pope from behind causing a fumble that went through the end zone for the first stop of the ball game. Bryan Snyder then hit Rocco Forgione on a 34-yard strike to pull the Pioneers to within a point at 40-39.
The defense produced another big play by DS Jamie Hattley. Hattley intercepted a D. Bryant pass in the end zone for the second stop out of half time.
"We really needed the fumble play, but the interception was huge too," replied Karg. "This game is such a game of ups and down, momentum and big plays. The game can change in a matter of 20 seconds."
After a missed field goal by David Davis, Ufuoma Pela halted the next Conquest drive when he sacked quarterback D. Bryant on fourth down giving the Pioneers the opportunity to take the lead. Snyder hit Forgione for a 7-yard touchdown giving Wilkes-Barre/Scranton their first lead of the game 46-40.
Albany scored their lone touchdown of the second half when D. Bryant tossed a 2-yard pass to Jeremiah Pope on a fourth down play to put the Conquest ahead 47-46 with 2:42 left in the contest.
The Snyder to Forgione connection clicked for the third time in the second half and Tommie Venisee caught a two-point conversion for the final scores of the game to make the Pioneers ‘homecoming’ a success 54-47.
"Rocco didn’t make a lot of plays in the first half," noted Karg. "But he kept his poise and stayed patient and the ball came to him in the second half."
The win improved Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s record to 8-7 and kept alive the hope for the team to earn a first round playoff game. A win next week against Macon and help from around the league could achieve that goal.
Inside the Numbers:
Rocco Forgione [W-B/S] was named Offensive Player of the Game. Forgione hauled in seven passes for 108 yards and three second half touchdowns, including the game winner.
Tommie Venisee [W-B/S] earned Ironman of the Game as he caught three passes for 25 yards scoring twice. Venisee also contributed three solo tackles on defense.
Jamie Hattley [W-B/S] was voted Defensive Player of the Game. Hattley batted down four passes to go along with his interception and two tackles.
Albany’s Jeremiah Pope led all players with 14 catches for 117 yards
Pioneer quarterback Bryan Snyder finished the game 18-29 for 212 yards with seven touchdowns
Looking Ahead:
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will close out the regular season next Saturday against the Macon Knights. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at the Wachovia Arena.
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.
