Steeldogs Let One Slip Away
David Speakman
Sunday July 16, 2006
Now things aren’t quite so rosy. A three way tie for the final playoff spot with Macon and Manchester leaves no more room for error. A loss to either Memphis or Tennessee Valley could leave them on the outside looking in for the second straight year.
Things started out harmless enough with the Steeldogs and Knights trading first quarter touchdowns giving Birmingham a slim14-12 lead after the opening frame. When Robert Kent hit Bradley Chavez from 12 yards out at the start of the second quarter to go up 21-12, Birmingham had to be feeling pretty good about their chances. When you factor in the May 27th massacre, they put up 92 points on the Knight in a little over five quarters.
Bobby Keyes picked off an ill advised Chad Elliot lob into the left corner of the endzone and took it back 27 yards to the Macon 21. Eight plays, a false start, and an offensive holding call later, the drive stalled at the Knight 4 yard line.
After the turnover on downs, the Chavis McCollister Show took over. In a span of six and half minutes, Elliot connected with McCollister on 36, 17, and 9 yard touchdown tosses. Two of the scores featured Barry Sanders-esque ankle breaking moves that left Steeldog defenders grasping air as McCollisted danced, shifted, and darted his way down field.
The Knights decision to defer the opening kickoff paid off as Elliot hooked up yet again with McCollister for 25 yards to give Macon a 37-21 bulge just minutes into the third quarter.
After a 26-0 Macon run, Birmingham finally responded with a Robert Kent 5 yard keeper. It was Kent’s first of three rushing touchdowns on the night.
An 11 yard pass to DJ Humphries and 9 yard gallop by Kent closed out the third quarter as Macon lead 45-34 heading into the final 15 minutes.
With 6:19 to play, Elliot and McCollister connected for a fifth time to give the Knights a seemingly comfortable 52-41 advantage,
A Theo Sanders rush pulled the Steeldogs to with 5 with two minutes to go setting up an onside kick attempt. The kick was ruled out of bounds at the Steeldog 24 giving possession the Knights with only 1:33 on the clock. Three runs and a fourth down incompletion turned the ball back over to Birmingham with 39 ticks to go.
The Steeldogs maneuvered down to the Macon 19 before a desperation fourth and ten pass fell incomplete preserving the Knights victory.
Notes:
Big Hits: James Hickenbotham’s huge hit on Lawrence Story in the fourth quarter sent the receiver’s helmet flying across the field breaking up the play. Bradley Chavez was drilled over the wall and into the first row but managed to hold on to the ball for his second touchdown early in quarter number two.
Big Money: Not all of the 30 or so Steeldogs fans that made the trip went home unhappy. A member of the contingent managed to win the Macon Knights Booster Club 50/50 drawing that was held to benefit The Ronald Mcdonald House and Make A Wish Foundation.
Big Chill: This reporter was clipped by an errant post game helmet fling by an upset Steeldog player. Keep your cool gentlemen.
Schutt Offensive Player of the Game-Chavis McCollister (8-133, 5 td)
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game—Matt Jackson
ADT Defensive Player of the Game—Rashad Pitts
Cutter’s Catch of the Game—Chavis McCollister
David Speakman lives in Roswell, GA. He is the owner of Speakman Collectibles and is an inline hockey player/coach/ref when he isn't chasing down an interview. Speakman Collectibles is the exclusive manufacturer of arenafootball2 helmet collectibles. Big Game, Little Helmets.
