2006 JULY - AUGUST ARCHIVED NEWS
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HURRICANES BLOW THROUGH FLINT
Sunday, August 27 2006
The 6th ranked Hoosier Hurricanes were too much for the Patriots on both sides of
the ball and in special teams as they rolled to a big win in Flint. Justin Whitney's lone
field goal attempt was blocked in the first quarter and the offense came up shy in their
other two trips to the Hurricane Red Zone. The highly regarded Patriot defense was
almost entirely ineffective against the Hurricanes, forcing only two punts but did
manage to nab two interceptions. A third interception was called back after a
roughing the passer penalty was thrown on DT Brad Lyon. The interception would
have placed the Patriot offense deep in Hurricane territory. The Patriots next face the
Diesels in Flint on September 10. This will be a rematch of a classic 20-16 battle in
Detroit earlier this season.
THE DEFENSE PROVIDES THE ONLY POINTS AS THE
COBRAS STRIKE
Sunday, August 20 2006
The Cleveland Cobras raise their record to 4-2 on the back of one touchdown with no
time left in the first half. Meanwhile, the Patriot defensive unit returns to form and
works its way back into the top rated list of defensive units in the NAFL. The end result
was all too familiar though as the Patriots lost their third game of the season by 4
points.
The Patriots defensive line, colorfully nick named the Royal Guards by one fan,
provided constant pressure on the Cobra offensive backfield. Combined, the
defensive line captured 5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. Defensive Ends Anson
Bannister and Roberto Bakos each tallied a sack on the day. This was Bakos first
start at DE after manning the middle all year long at nose guard. DT Brad Lyon
collected two sacks and two fumble recoveries in his second official game back from
retirement. One recovery nearly made the difference as it was returned for a
touchdown but was ruled dead following the recovery. OLB Dave Prosser had a tackle
for a loss which resulted in a safety in the first half.
Corner back Demarkis Smith picked off a Cobra pass in dual action as he also lined
up at wide receiver.
The offense remained grounded as they failed to reach double digits in points for the
third consecutive week. Quarterback Steve Gauger was 10 of 26 passing for 127
yards in place of the injured Ted Klopf. The lone bright spot was Isac Roberts, who
averaged 4 yards per carry on 9 rushes for 36 yards.
With the loss the Patriots fall to 1-5 over all (0-3 Division) and will face the 6th ranked
Hoosier Hurricanes next Sunday in Flint. The Hurricanes are 5-1 on the season.
PIRATES SINK THE PATRIOTS IN MCHENRY COUNTY
Saturday, August 12 2006
The offense fails to reach double digits for the second week in a row thanks in part to
the loss of QB Ted Klopf. A 105 yard receiving effort on 4 catches by Keith Gardner
was not enough to help lift the Patriots to their second road win. Steve Gauger was 11
of 23 with a touchdown after Klopf went out. Injuries took a toll through out the day and
led to a number of athletes playing double duty. Following the injury to Mike Potter,
who was starting at center due to the absence of Andrew Clark, Justin Whitney took
over those duties and remained there as well as in the linebacker core for the
majority of the game. He helped lead the way for several athletes who played a
majority of the downs on both sides of the ball including strong performances by
Anson Bannister (DE,OT) and Brad Lyon (DE, OG). Also seeing spot duty two ways
were Chris Dinnan (DE, OG), Chuck Toins (MLB, OG), and Derek Miller (OLB, FB).
Whitney had a sack and a fumble recovery along with 3 tackles on the day while also
stepping in well at center.
A DEFENSIVE BRAWL LEAVES THE PATRIOTS 1-3
Saturday, July 29 2006
The defense nearly records its first shut out of the season, but its not enough as
London falls on a victory. London's only touchdown came on a recovered fumble in
the Patriot end zone but those six points, along with the extra point, was enough to
seal the victory. Running Back Isac Roberts had a strong performance in his return to
the Royal and Scarlet with 15 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown. Roberts was
resigned from the 2005 roster after backs Galvis (ankle) and Hitchcock (shoulder)
went down with injuries. The absence of receivers Jeff Klopf, Marsu Hussey, and
Craig Lanter had an obvious impact on QB Ted Klopf as he completed only 9 of 24
passes for 56 yards; far off his season high of 398 yards he had against Detroit just
two weeks prior.
Corner Back Steve Gauger collected his third interception of the season and Safety
Nate Eller and Corner/Receiver Demarkis Smith added their first. The lone sack
game from Defensive Lineman Brad Lyon, who came out of retirement briefly for the
second half. Lyon, who is the Defensive Coordinator, also had 3 tackles in the half.
The Patriots next travel to McHenry County of Chicago to face the Pirates in their next
NAFL game.
ADMIRALS SAIL AWAY WITH THE WIN, PATRIOTS FALL TO
1-2
Sunday, July 23 2006
A close first half became a landslide as the Admirals scored 35 points in the second
to secure the victory. Trailing 7-3 after a Justin Whitney field goal, the Admirals went
on a roll in the second half while the Patriots sputtered game long with multiple
turnovers. The score never got closer than 17-28. Demarkis Smith caught his second
touchdown of the season and Mike Thomas ran in his first. The Patriots next travel to
London to take on the Silverbacks following their 22-14 win over the Makos.
PATRIOTS RETURN TO ATWOOD SUNDAY, JULY 23 AT 6:00
PM
Sunday, July 23 2006
The Patriots return to Atwood Stadium in Flint for a home game Sunday, July 23 at
6:00 PM. The Patriots have not played at Atwood Stadium since moving to Clio in
2004. Atwood Stadium is located at 701 West Third Avenue just West of the University
of Michigan Flint and just East of Kettering University. Historic Atwood Stadium is an
11,000 seat city owned facility.
DIESELS SQUEAK BY IN CLASSIC
Saturday, July 15 2006
In what will go down as a classic, the Diesels score a long touchdown on the ground
with 4:51 left in the game to come back from a 16-14 deficit. A late red zone fumble
recover on the last Patriot drive of the game seals the victory for the Diesels in Detroit.
Ted Klopf once was at the helm, throwing for an impressive 33 of 55 for 396 yards.
2005 All Star Keith Gardner was on the receiving end of one of those passes that
went for 90 yards and a touchdown. The offensive also produced 9 points off field
goals as Justin Whitney was 3-5 for the game with a long of 41.
The Diesels opened the scoring with a long touchdown pass to their tight end early in
the first quarter. The Patriots responded with back to back field goals but Detroit
added a kick return for a touchdown to send the Patriots into the half down 14-6.
Detroit was intercepted on their first possession of the third quarter and WR Keith
Gardner (2005 NAFL All Star) took a pass 90 yards to make it 14-13. Down by two,
Whitney added his third field goal of the night late in the fourth to put the Patriots
ahead 16-14 with under five minutes to play. The Diesels came up with their own
fourth quarter heroics as they scored from 40 out on a running play and then came up
with a fumbled reception in the red zone as the Patriots made their last drive. 2005
Minor League Football News 2nd team corner and NAFL All Star selection Steve
Gauger also added an interception and former Ferris State team captain and two time
All American Bo Moore added a sack.
During their two game road trip to start the season, the Patriot defense has only gave
up 10 points per game average while scoring 19 points per game.
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