One Man Wrecking Crew
Eric Tabor
Wednesday April 23, 2008
The Green Bay Blizzard ran into what must have seemed like a one man wrecking crew Saturday night as the South Georgia Wildcats defeated the Blizzard.
The Wildcats were trailing 17-0 after Green Bay scored on consecutive special teams’ plays. The Blizzard's first touchdown of the game was scored on a field-goal return by Nate Green. Green Bay would then recover the ensuing kick-off in the Wildcats end zone to take a 17-0 lead.
As he has all season long, PJ Berry provided the response. On the next kick-off, Berry returned the kick, untouched, to get South Georgia on the board. From there, the Wildcats rallied to pull within one point of the Blizzard, 38-37 at the half.
“The team kept fighting and I refused to let them give up,” said Wildcat Head Coach Derik Stingley. “No matter what happens, this is arena football, the ball can bounce a lot of ways.”
In the second stanza, it was almost all South Georgia as the defense, spearheaded by Joe Woolridge and Roland Cola, only allowed ten points.
Cola recorded six-and-a-half tackles, an interception, and three pass breakups. However, He was trumped by Woolridge, who had five-and-a-half tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
“Joe Woolridge is a beast, he stepped up major,” said Gant. “I don’t know what else to say about our people, I’m empressed.”
Even though Joe was a beast on the field, he was all smiles after the game. You see he has a new baby to raise.
“That’s my child right there,” Joe shouted.
“I’m just trying to come hard every play and show people what I can do.”
When Joe was not sacking the quarterback or making a play he opened the door for others.
“Joe is Joe, he gives us a big push up front by his play,” said Wildcat nose tackle Courtney Young. “Teams begin to key on him, and that allows us to make plays.”
This was completely evident during the last play of the game. With the Cats up with seconds left on the clock. Young made a move got into the backfield, forced the Blizzard QB Shane Adler to step up, made the tackle to close the door on Green Bay.
“All night long I’ve been giving them a certain pass rush,” said Young. “I ripped to his left side, but he was leaning so much that his momentum took me in (for the tackle.)”
This might be a little premature, but congratulations, Joe you should be player of the week this week.
To make a long story short, Cats win 55-48.