BLAZE RAGE OF FURY ON STEELDOGS
Brian Matherne
Monday July 16, 2001
Risher`s motivation to exact revenge on Birmingham was made public thru his radio show, TV show, and public appearances all week. "We`re trying to finish the season 10-6. That`s a pretty good season." It is, considering the star QB, Herb Tyler, out for the rest of the season, missed the last five games due to injury. Backup Blaze QB Melvin Hill stepped in, and last week earned top honors as the AF2`s player of the week with a win over Memphis 75-66. On Saturday night, Hill led the Blaze with 12 out of 19 passes for 159 yards and five TD passes. He also ran for two more TD`s and so did teammate Leonard Holmes, who had 7 carries for 93 yards.
Birmingham suffered from turnovers all night. The Blaze forced six of them by the end of the game. This led to the Blaze building a 47-22 lead entering into the fourth quarter. The 68 points that the Blaze posted was the most allowed by Birmingham this season. The victory is Baton Rouge`s first over a second year AF2 team. (losses to Tenn. Valley twice, Tallahassee, & Birmingham) Before a crowd of 3,900, a Blaze fan, at halftime, was given the chance to kick a field goal, just like every home game this year. But, this was the final home game and this one was for a 2002 Dodge Durango. The fan, a Prairieville, LA. native, kicked a 38 yard field goal straight down the center of the posts to win the truck. Afterward, he opted for the cash payout of $25,000 for the kick.
The Blaze (9-6) will have the chance to complete the season with a 10-6 record with a victory this Saturday night in Bossier City against the Battle Wings (7-8).
Brian Matherne has followed the AFL since its inception in 1987. Brian was the first to purchase front row season tickets when the Night came to town in 1991-92. Brian currently resides in Baton Rouge,LA with his wife, Kristi, and daughters, Madison and Lauren. In 1999, Brian was the webmaster for the IPFL Louisiana Bayou Beast.
