Hansen's Kick Edges Wolves Past Venom
Published on May 16, 2010 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Stockton Wolves News Release
DALY CITY, Calif---If any team were going to pick a week to play the San Jose Wolves, the week before the Wolves' rematch with Western Division leading Wyoming Cavalry would be a great choice.
The San Jose Wolves (7-1) needed a last second field goal by kicker Ben Hansen to avoid the upset at the hands of the new look Wenatchee Valley Venom (2-6) by the score of 60-57 Saturday night at the Cow Palace.
Reciever Reggie Eubanks ran in a touchdown, caught another, and laid a jarring block that allowed quarterback Omar Jacobs the Wolves' final touchdown. Jacobs missed the Wolves' opening drive along with lineman Ryan Beneby, defensive back Lamont Ransby, and receiver Jayson Boyd, due to traffic around San Francisco.
Wentachee Valley quarterback Devin Hollins took the opportunity and provided a spark for the Venom who changed quarterbacks and head coaches since they were last in San Jose two weeks ago. Hollins wasted no time putting Wenatchee on the board first and regaining the lead at the start of the second half.
Jacobs entered the game in the middle of the Wolves' second drive and promptly took control by finding receiver Eubanks on a thirty four yard pass for the score shaking any notions that he came into the game cold.
"Not at all," responded Jacobs when asked if it took him awhile to get into the flow of the game. "I was ready from the moment I stepped onto the field and anxious to get going."
The Wolves surged in front with two more touchdowns from Jacobs to the Wolves' leading receiver A.J. Bennett.
But the Venom's newly appointed interim head coach Brian Smith called the right plays as Hollins found Maurice Bryant for a pair of touchdowns separated by a San Jose touchdown.
That touchdown was, perhaps, the play of the year. Just a few minutes after Bryant's first touchdown, Jacobs lobbed a pass right near the padding in front of the Wolves' bench for Boyd. Boyd leapt above the boards, secured the ball, and drilled over the padding onto the concrete but held onto the ball the entire way through for the touchdown. The play secured the lead at the half for the Wolves despite Bryant's second touchdown.
Wenatchee Valley quickly regained the lead at the half thanks in large part to Hollins. The quarterback extended multiple plays including two remarkable touchdown receptions by Phil Goodman.
San Jose and Wenatchee exchanged blows with neither team able to slow down either of the high-powered offenses. Bennett, who was flagged earlier in the game for handing a ball to a fan, ran in another score before flipping a ball to a young fan in the stands. The second personal foul penalty on Bennett led to the ejection of the Wolves' leading receiver.
The Venom promptly responded with one of two kickoffs returned for touchdowns by Darin Newsome in the second half.
But San Jose showcased too many weapons and answered back on a drive in which Jacobs completed key passes to Boyd and Somora Goodson before Eubanks took in a fly sweep.
Newsome responded with the other kickoff return while San Jose countered with the Jacobs touchdown, which was sprung by Eubanks' block.
With neither team able to hold onto a lead, the game came down to the kickers.
The Venom's Scott Thompsen nailed two uno kicks on kick-offs, including his final kick with a minute left in the game to tie the game at 57. But Thomsen missed two extra points, including one before his final uno, preventing Wenatchee from having the late lead.
Meanwhile, the Wolves' Ben Hansen was a perfect eight of eight on his extra points, had one uno, and nailed the game winning field goal as time expired, the first game winning kick of his career.
"In all of high school and four years of college," Hansen said after the game. "That's the first time I have ever had a chance to win it.
Hansen seals the Wolves' date with the Wyoming Cavalry next week with playoff implications looming.
Wenatchee continues their six game losing streak, despite an excellent effort from Hollins who finished 15 of 25 for five touchdowns, including a rushing TD, and 183 yards.
Phil Goodman and Maurice Bryant each caught two touchdowns for 142 combined yards.
But Jacobs' 20-29 night passing for four touchdowns for 310 yards was just too much for the Venom to keep up with. Jacobs also added four carries for 22 yards including two additional rushing touchdowns.
Bennett, Eubanks, and Boyd each caught six passes for a combined 280 yards and four touchdowns. Somora Goodson added four grabs for forty- eight yards.
The Wolves sit one game behind Wyoming and welcome the Cavalry to the Cow Palace for the second to last home game of the season.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from May 16, 2010
- Hansen's Kick Edges Wolves Past Venom - Stockton Wolves
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