Extreme Quiets Thunder
March 30, 2009 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Muskegon Thunder News Release
Muskegon - After scoring only nine points in their Indoor Football League debut on March 13, the Muskegon Thunder were hoping to see some offensive fireworks when United Conference rival Bloomington paid a visit on Saturday night. It was the Extreme, however, that produced an explosive show, as they scored early and often in a 70-13 rout at L.C. Walker Arena.
Bloomington's Laroche Jackson took the opening kickoff six yards deep in his own end zone and raced all the way down to Muskegon's five yard line to set the tone for the night. Two plays later wideout Robert Redd hauled in a 3 yard pass from quarterback Mitch Tanney and the Extreme was off and running with a 7-0 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Bloomington was awarded an additional point when they kept Muskegon from bringing a fumbled ball out of their own end zone. The touchback set the ball at the Muskegon 5-yard and after a false start and short completion, the hosts added fuel to the Bloomington fire when Thunder quarterback Cullen Finnerty was intercepted by Etrick Pruitt. Pruitt dashed 14 yards into the end zone and Peter Christofilakos' point after kick made it 15-0 just 3:46 into the contest.
The hosts made a brief rebuttal when Finnerty capped a 5-play, 29-yard drive with an 8 yard scoring toss to receiver Richard Gills. Scott Greene's kick hit the upright and Muskegon had pulled to within 15-6.
Momentum quickly swung back to the Extreme when Tanney found former Florida State standout Peter Warrick wide open over the middle for a 23-yard gain. Running back Keith Brooks finished the drive with a 3 yard burst and Bloomington ended the first quarter with a 21-6 advantage.
After a missed Thunder field goal, Bloomington went back to work as Tanney overcame an intentional grounding penalty and a fourth-and-23 situation to lead the guests to another score. Brooks bulled his way in from a yard out and the crowd of 1,500 sat in stunned silence as the Extreme claimed a 28-6 lead two plays into the second quarter.
Jackson then made his second huge play of the night as he intercepted a Finnerty pass and zig-zagged his way 52 yards for a back-breaking touchdown return that ballooned Bloomington's bulge to 35-6.
Muskegon would then cap its scoring for the night with a Finnerty to Brent Lesniak 10 yard pass. Greene converted the P.A.T and Muskegon trailed 35-13 at the 9:23 mark.
Bloomington was far from done as the Extreme rolled to a pair of scores before the intermission. Tanney connected with Warrick for the fifth time this season with a 17 yard hookup and Lamar Lewis sliced through the Thunder defense untouched from 3 yards out as the teams headed to their respective locker rooms with the guests in total control at 49-13.
Bloomington's offense went a perfect 5-for-5 in the opening half while the Thunder sputtered out of the gate with three turnovers. The second half brought more Extreme efficiency as Bloomington scored on their first three second-half possessions to improve their record to 2-1 on the young season.
Tanney hit receiver Alan Turner for an 8 yard score and then found Redd from 11 yards out to finish the night 13-of-16 for 108 yards with four scores and no interceptions. Through three games, Tanney is in mid-season form, hitting 42-of-63 attempts for 411 yards with 12 TDs and 1 interception.
Lewis provided the only scoring in the fourth quarter with a ten yard run. The 70-13 final was both the second most points scored and the second fewest allowed in Extreme franchise history.
Bloomington generated 249 total yards including 113 on the ground as Brooks (6-48-2) and Lewis (7-47-2) both averaged over 6 yards per carry running behind a dominant offensive line led by Luke Wickman, Joe Nicklasch and Anthony Rubican.
Redd led all receivers with 9 catches for 72 yards and two scores. Warrick (3-47-1) and Turner (2-15-1) also contributed in the road win.
Defensively, Bloomington got a six tackle performance out of Jeff Candler and 4.5 from noseguard Antonio Ficklin, who recorded a pair of sacks and harassed Thunder quarterbacks all night. Bloomington recorded 5 sacks on the evening.
Muskegon, which had only four second half possessions resulting in two missed field goals, a lost on downs and an interception, managed a meager 111 total yards of offense.
Finnerty, making his first professional indoor start, completed 10-of-19 passes for 85 yards, 2 TDs and 2 picks. His favorite targets were Lesniak (5-38-1) and Gills (5-32-1).
The Thunder had 38 rushing yards as Lesniak (16) and Reggie Frazier (22) each carried 5 times.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Tersee Nande was credited with 9 stops while Alonzo Williams added 5 tackles including 1.5 for loss. Adding injury to insult was a severe knee injury suffered by defensive end Ernest Bentz, who is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Both teams will resume action on April 4 as Bloomington hosts Sioux City, whom they defeated 48-19 two weeks ago, while Muskegon (0-2) will travel to former CIFL rival Rochester for their first road test of the season.
Indoor Football League Stories from March 30, 2009
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