Dawgz Beat Barnstormers, Continue Win Streak

July 10, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release


The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz went toe to toe with the Iowa Barnstormers Saturday night at the CoxConvention Center in Oklahoma City in front of 5,415 fans.The game proved to as exciting as the earlier season matchup between the two franchises.The Dawgz were able to protect and build on the lead they had secured in the first half of play and came out with the 52-42 victory over the Barnstormers.

The Barnstormers were first on the board with a one yard touchdown run by their quarterback, Ryan Vena.The Dawgz answered right back with a 14 yard touchdown pass from Tommy Grady to Timon Marshall.On their next possession, the Barnstormers were marching down the field when Vena threw an interception to Dawgz defensive back, Fred Shaw.Shaw snatched the ball and sprinted 50 yards for a touchdown to give the Dawgz the lead, 14-7.

As the Barnstormers were threatening to score at the beginning of the second quarter, David Hyland forced and recovered a fumble by running back Rodney Filer, putting the ball back in the hands of the Dawgz offense.The Dawgz capitalized on the Barnstormer turnover and marched down the field for another touchdown, a two yard rush by Chad Cook. This put the Dawgz up 21-7.Vena found wide receiver Jesse Schmidt on a 5 yard route to cut the Dawgz lead to 21-14.The Barnstormer defense then stepped up and caused fumble by Grady which was recovered by lineman Charles Johnson. Just three plays later, Vena connected with Larry Kendrick to tie the game at 21.With the second half coming to a close, Grady found Jerel Myers for a 13 yard score giving the lead back to the Dawgz, 28-21.

The Dawgz received the ball first to start the second half and went on nearly an eight minute drive which resulted in a 23 yard Michael Salerno field goal, increasing the Dawgz lead to ten.Vena went on to connect with Kendrick on an 18 yard touchdown pass.This cut the Dawgz lead to 3, 31-28.

The fourth quarter proved to be one of battling offenses.First, Grady found Marshall on a 22 yard touchdown pass.Vena then looked to Kendrick for his third touchdown of the night.Grady found a big target on his next score, tight end Jeremy Ashcraft.Vena went back to Schmidt to keep the Barnstormers in the game.Next, Grady went back to Marshall for his third touchdown catch of the night.The Dawgz up by 10, gave the ball back to the Barnstormers with :56 left in the game.The Barnstormers moved the ball down to the Dawgz 3 yard line but on their next play, Vena was sacked for a seven yard loss by MK Bruce and Dustin Barno.On the next play, Vena looked to Schmidt for the score but the ball was intercepted by Yard Dawgz defensive back Sergio Gilliam which sealed the 52-42 victory for the Dawgz.

After the game, Head Coach Sparky McEwen commented, "This to date is one of our biggest victories.To come from where we started the season to where we are now says a lot about our ball club.We are now smack in the middle of the playoff race and truly control our own destiny.I feel that we are starting to peak at the right time."

The Dawgz have now won three games in a row and will travel to Cleveland, Ohio to take on the Gladiators next Saturday, July 17th, at the Quicken Loans Arena.Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 PM (CST).The Dawgz return home on Friday, July 30th to host the Tulsa Talons.



Arena Football League Stories from July 10, 2010


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