Arkansas Diamonds Win 26-18

February 28, 2010 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Arkansas Diamonds News Release


North Little Rock, AR - Corpus Christi, TX. - Training camp is over and the regular season opened for the newly named Arkansas Diamonds in Corpus Christi. After winning the coin toss and electing to defer to the second half, first year head coach for the Diamonds Danton Barto, made a statement to the IFL by attempting an onside kick on the opening kick off. The kick ended up finding its way into the stands and Arkansas gave Corpus excellent field possession to start the game. Arkansas defense rose to the occasion by holding the Hammerheads out of the end zone and forcing them to settle for a field goal for the first points of the game.

It didn't take long for Arkansas to respond. After a 35 yard kick off return by Jamaine Blalock, Arkansas had the ball deep in Corpus territory. On the first play of the game for the Diamonds, QB Willie Copeland finds WR Jamaine Blalock for 14 yards and a touchdown, the extra point would be blocked giving Arkansas a 6-3 lead in the first quarter. Both teams would then exchange possessions before Corpus was able to drive to take the lead ending the first quarter with the lead 10-6.

The second quarter continued to be more of the same from both teams. Both offenses seemed to struggle while the defenses caused problems for both teams. With time running down in the first half Diamonds DL Ell Ash blocks a Hammerhead field goal attempt that was returned by former University of Arkansas Safety and now Diamonds DB Vickiel Vaughn for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was fumbled by the Diamonds holder. Arkansas would take a 19-10 lead to the half.

The second half was more of the same from the first. Both teams offenses played sloppy turning the ball over and not being able to make any progress on the opposing teams defenses. Although both teams had opportunities to score, neither team was able to put any points on the board in the third quarter.

With 8:32 left in the game it looked as if Arkansas had sealed the game when DB Tyler Knight picked off a Hammerhead pass attempt and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown giving the Diamonds a 26-18 lead. Hammerhead fans began to pour out of the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi and would end up missing out on a great finish.

The Hammerheads would take their next possession the length of the field scoring a touchdown and completing a 2-point conversion brining the team to within 8 points. Arkansas looked as if they could run time off the clock but a fumble by QB Willie Copeland set the Hammerheads up with the chance to tie the game with a touchdown and 2-point conversion. Arkansas defense stepped up one last time keeping the Hammerheads out of the endzone and sealing the first victory to this 2010 season by a final score of 26-18.

The Arkansas Diamonds will take a week off before hosting the San Angelo Stampede. The first home game for the newly named Arkansas Diamonds will be Friday, March 12th at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. For ticket information call 501-975-5425 or visit the website at www.ardiamonds.com.



Indoor Football League Stories from February 28, 2010


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