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Taming the Beast: Vigilantes Defeat Sabercats, 70-57

June 5, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Dallas Vigilantes News Release


DALLAS, TX- The Dallas Vigilantes (7-5) got back to their winning ways in tonight's contest at the American Airlines Center, defeating the San Jose Sabercats (5-7), 70-57. Tonight's win snaps the Vigilantes' three game losing streak and keeps Dallas in sole possession of the National Conference's first wild card spot. Vigilante quarterback Dan Raudabaugh had a solid performance, going 14 of 22 for 193 yards and four touchdowns.

"We put a lot of emphasis on playing physical this week, and both our offense and defense answered the call," Raudabaugh said. "As an offense, we made the plays we had to, and we didn't leave too many points on the field. Our defense got involved in the scoring tonight, too. That was definitely a big help."

It did not take long for Raudabaugh and the Vigilante offense to get into the swing of things, taking the first drive of the game 45 yards for a touchdown, scored off of a 22-yard reception by reciever DeAndrew Rubin.

But the Sabercats bounced back in a hurry, returning the ensuing kickoff 43 yards to the Dallas 13-yard line. San Jose All-Arena quarterback and ArenaBowl MVP knew what to do from there, connecting with receiver Burt Toler on 13-yard strike.

Trouble loomed in the next Dallas possession, as Raudabaugh would throw in interception, but the outcome was only negative for a split second. In a great heads up effort, Vigilante receiver Tiger Jones swatted the ball out of defensive back Dwight McLean's hands, recovering it in the end zone for another Dallas touchdown. The go ahead score put the Vigilantes up 14-7 with 7:54 to go in the first quarter.

With all the fun the offense was having, the Dallas defense decided to make its presence felt, too. In the next Sabercat drive, Grieb would be picked off by jack linebacker Brendan Pahulu and returned for a 17-yard touchdown.

San Jose responded again, but Dallas snapped right back. Vigilante fullback Derrick Ross got back to his scoring ways with a three-yard pitch to the house, increasing the Vigilante lead to 14 points at 28-14.

"I know my scoring streak was snapped last week, but none of that really matters to me," Ross said. "This game is about being a team, and I thought everybody played well tonight. I'm just happy we got the win. You can't beat that."

The shootout continued through the second quarter. At the 10:47 mark, Ross smashed his way into the end zone for his second touchdown of the night, running in a four-yard draw to pay dirt.

After another touchdown toss by Grieb, Raudabaugh would increase the Dallas lead by 14 again, connecting with receiver Tiger Jones on a 17-yard fade. The touchdown slated the score in Dallas' favor, 42-28, with 4:32 to play in the half.

And the Vigilante defense did not stop either. In D's next outing, Grieb was picked off for the second time of the night, this time by Vigilante defensive back Chris Brown, who took the ball 20 yards down the sideline for six more points.

"I was just playing red coverage," Brown said. I didn't think Grieb was going to throw the ball, but I just stayed in my coverage and made my break. I didn't know what was going to happen, because I had a few drops in practice. But when it came game time, I knew I'd be ready."

Dallas would try to make one more run at the end zone to end the half, but would turn the ball over on downs with three seconds to go, knotting the halftime score at 49-35.

The third quarter opened up with a Sabercat field goal, but Dallas responded with some more points of its own. In the Vigilante offense's first possession of the half, Jones took a 38-yard bomb to the end zone, capping off a three-play drive that lasted 1:38.

In the Sabercats' next try at offense, Grieb found receiver Scott Schoettgen on 14-yard strike, but a missed PAT by kicker Juan Gamboa would keep Dallas ahead, 56-44, with 6:43 left in the quarter.

But Ross decided to get the hat trick in his next go with the ball, scoring his third touchdown of the night on a one-yard run up the middle.

After another San Jose touchdown, Dallas would foil the Sabercats' onside kick attempt, taking over on the San Jose 13-yard line. From there, the Raudabaugh-to-Jones connection would score again, reaching the 70-point mark with 11:17 left in the game; the Remy Hamilton PAT would make the Vigilante kicker tied for the highest scoring kicker in the Arena Football League.

"I knew when I came back to play this year that I would be close this milestone," Hamilton said. "This is a great honor, but I'm even happier that we got the win tonight."

San Jose never quit fighting, but the deficit was too much to handle, as Dallas would triumph, 70-57.

Next up for the Vigilantes is a hard-earned week of rest. Once the team's bye week has concluded, Dallas will get back to work, beginning a two-game road trip that will start with Central Division rival Iowa Barnstormers on June 18 at 7:05 p.m.

"We really need this game," Jones said. "We had to get some momentum going into this bye week. The difference tonight was execution- on all sides of the ball. Now we just have to keep it up. We can't stop."



Arena Football League Stories from June 5, 2011


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