Dawgz Win Defensive Battle Against Vigilantes, 35-31

June 27, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release


OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz faced the Dallas Vigilantes Saturday night at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City in front of 5,114 fans. The game proved to be a battle of the two defenses with the teams combining for 4 interceptions (2 OKC - 2 DAL), 5 turnover on downs (2 OKC - 3 DAL), 5 sacks (4 OKC - 1 DAL) and two forced fumbles (1 OKC - 1 DAL).

The Dawg defense sacked Vigilante quarterback BJ Hall twice on their opening drive. The first sack was by Brandon Perkins for an eleven yard loss. On the next play, Dustin Barno sacked Hall for a six yard loss. The Dawgz were first on the board with a Craig Fulton Jr. 18 yard touchdown catch from Yard Dawgz quarterback, Tommy Grady. The Dawgz defense stepped up again with an MK Bruce sack of Hall on fourth down giving the ball back to the Dawgz. The Dawgz defense was successful in keeping the Vigilantes offense out of the end zone in the first quarter.

The Vigilante defense stepped up in the second quarter by sacking Grady and forcing a fumble into the end zone for a Dallas score by Brandon Pahula. Grady threw an interception on his next possession giving the ball back to the Vigilantes. Grady turned it around with a 24 yard touchdown pass to Al Hunt putting the Dawgz back on top 13-10. Former Yard Dawg, Matt Fields, found the end zone after a 26 yard pass from Hall to give the Vigilantes the lead, 17-13. Yard Dawgz emergency kicker, Michael Salerno, drove home a 24 yard field goal to close out the second quarter. Going into the locker room, the Dawgz were down one, 16-17.

The defenses continued to battle it out in the third quarter. The Dawgz turned it over on fourth down on their opening possession but got the ball back after Mike Brown forced a fumble which was recovered by MK Bruce. The only score of the quarter was a 31 yard Vigilante touchdown pass from Hall to Fields.

Like the Dawgz last two games, it seemed as if this game would come down to the last play of the game. With one minute remaining and down by 2, the Dawgz attempted an onside kick. The Vigilantes got possession of the ball with a short field but the Dawgz defense held tough and forced the Vigilantes to attempt a field goal. Lewis missed the field goal wide left giving the Dawgz possession with :41 remaining on the clock. Grady found Fulton on a 24 yard pass with only 15.4 remaining on the clock giving the Dawgz the lead, 35-31. The chance of a Dallas victory can to an end with a David Hyland interception of Hall's pass as time expired. The Dawgz went on to celebrate the 35-31 victory.

After the game, Head Coach Sparky McEwen commented, "This is one of the best defensive efforts that I have witnessed since my affiliation with the AFL began in 1998. I could not be more proud of our team's effort and perseverance to secure the win."

The Yard Dawgz will travel to Bossier-Shreveport, Louisiana to take on the BattleWings next Saturday, July 3rd, at the Century Tel Center. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 PM (CST). The Dawgz return home on Saturday, July 10th to host the Iowa Barnstormers. The Yard Dawgz Block Party will begin at 5 p.m. on Reno and kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Single game tickets are on sale now and start at only $10. For additional information, please call (405) 228-3294 or visit http://www.okcyarddawgz.com/.



Arena Football League Stories from June 27, 2010


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