Dawgz Battle Back In Second Half To Win
May 9, 2010 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz News Release
OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz hosted the Bossier Shreveport BattleWings at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City in front of an announced crowd of 4,775. Saturday night marked the first time these two franchises had met in the AFL. The two teams met six times as members of arenafootball2.
The Dawgz first offensive possession was short lived as Yard Dawgz quarterback, Tommy Grady fumbled the ball on the second play from scrimmage. BattleWings quarterback Raymond Philyaw found wide receiver Randy Hymes on a 5 yard pass to start the scoring for the BattleWings. The Dawgz then answered with a 13 yard pass from Grady to Yard Dawgz legend, Al Hunt. The BattleWings went on to score 21 unanswered points; a 17 yard pass from Philyaw to Hines, a Yard Dawgz fumble on the kickoff return which was recovered by Marvin Byrdsong for a score and a 2 yard rush by Byron Douzart for a touchdown. The Dawgz answered on their next offensive possession with a 22 yard pass from Grady to Anthony Hines but the BattleWings were not done scoring in the first quarter. On their next possession, Philyaw found Hymes for his third touchdown of the quarter. The quarter ended with the Battlewings leading 33-14.
Philyaw and Grady continued to move the ball down the field for scores in the second quarter. Grady completed two touchdown passes to Hunt and one to Craig Fulton Jr. Al Hunt also ran in a score. Philyaw had two touchdown passes to Hymes and one to Berry in the second quarter. The Dawgz ended the half with a David Hyland interception of Philyaw. Going into the locker room at half, the BattleWings led 52-41.
The Dawgz knew that they had to put some points on the board in order to stay in the game. The BattleWings offense got the ball to start the half. Philyaw quickly found Berry on an 11 yard pass for the first score of the half. The Dawgz answered with an 8 yard pass from Grady to Hines. The Dawgz then executed the first of two perfect onside kicks to get the ball back and get the offense another opportunity to score. Grady connected with Hines on an 8 yard touchdown pass to get the Dawgz within three points. Wanting to maintain momentum, the Dawgz attempted a second onside kick which was also successful. Grady connected with Hunt on a 17 yard touchdown pass to give the Dawgz their first lead of the game at 62-58. The BattleWing offense answered with a 27 yard touchdown pass from Philyaw to Berry to close out the quarter, Bossier 64 - Oklahoma City 62.
Offensive fireworks would continue in the fourth quarter. Bossier scored on a 27 yard pass from Philyaw to Berry. The Dawgz responded with an 11 yard touchdown pass from Grady to Craig Fulton Jr. Philyaw then completed a 24 yard touchdown pass to Berry which put the BattleWings up by 10. The Dawgz answered with a Grady touchdown pass of 2 yards to Hines with :33 remaining in the game. The Dawgz defense stepped up and held the BattleWings to a 22 yard field goal attempt by Art Carmody. The field goal was missed and fell short into the hands of Yard Dawg, Timon Marshall. Marshall returned the missed kick for a score which gave the Dawgz the lead of 82-79 with only :04 remaining on the clock. In a last effort to score, the BattleWings lateralled to several players but the ball was eventually fumbled and recovered by Yard Dawg, David Hyland. Hyland scooped up the ball and returned it 12 yards for the score as the clock expired.
Yard Dawgz quarterback, Tommy Grady, finished the game with 430 yards passing and 10 touchdowns while BattleWings quarterback, Raymond Philyaw, finished with 355 yards passing and 9 touchdowns. Yard Dawgz fan favorite Al Hunt, finished the game with 5 touchdowns.
Following the game, Coach Sparky McEwen commented, "This team truly has a big bite. We have been down a couple of times this season by multiple scores but I saw the resiliency of our football team. They have a never say die attitude. I looked at the bench several times tonight and they never quit. I am proud of the way they fought back to secure tonight's win."
The Yard Dawgz return home for a special Sunday afternoon match up on May 16th, to host the Spokane Shock. Single game tickets are on sale, starting at only $10! The Yard Dawgz Block Party will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Reno and kickoff is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. For additional information, please call (405) 228-3294 or visit http://www.okcyarddawgz.com/.
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Arena Football League Stories from May 9, 2010
- Dawgz Battle Back In Second Half To Win - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
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