Firecats Remain Perfect With Tough Fought Win Over Peoria
May 3, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
Chris Wallace threw five touchdowns to four different receivers and the Florida Firecats defense made several key stops en route to a 39-27 victory over the Peoria Pirates Saturday night.
The Firecats never trailed and improved to 5-0, matching the best start in team history. Florida also started 5-0 in 2005 on its way to a franchise-best 14-2 record.
Florida got on the board early as Wallace connected with WR Matt Burstein for a 31 yard touchdown just 57 seconds into the game. Jon Peattie tacked on the extra point to give the 'Cats a 7-0 lead. Despite the quick start, neither team would score during the rest of the quarter.
The second quarter saw plenty of back-and-forth action. Peoria (2-3) scored three touchdowns in the frame, but the Firecats answered each time. Florida FB James Gibson scored two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, sandwiched around Burstein's second touchdown of the night as the Firecats went into the locker room with a 27-21 lead.
Both teams' defenses stepped up their play in the second half. Florida WR/DB Brent Burnside stopped a Pirates third quarter drive with an interception at the goal line. Later in the quarter, Firecats WR Ethenic Sands hauled in a 34 yard touchdown pass from Wallace, giving the 'Cats some breathing room at 33-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
Pirates' WR Robert Garth caught a four yard touchdown pass from Justin Rascati to pull Peoria within six with 10:46 left to play. But the Pirates would get no closer. Florida closed out the scoring with a 19 yard touchdown pass from Wallace to Chris McKinney with 3:50 remaining.
Burstein finished with four catches for 70 yards and two touchdowns on his way to his second consecutive SCHUTT Offensive Player of the Game award. Burstein's second touchdown catch when he held on to a 24 yard pass despite crashing into the boards was named the Cutters Catch of the Game. The Florida defense made several big plays, but Thomas Carroll (2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery) stood out in his first game at Germain Arena with the Firecats and was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Week.
Pirates DB/WR Donnie Caldwell returned four kicks for 105 yards, led Peoria with five tackles and also had two receptions. He was named the J. Lewis Small Ironman of the Game.
The Firecats return to Germain Arena next Saturday night for a match-up with the Manchester Wolves. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT. Peoria returns home next week for a game against division-rival Green Bay. That game is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m. EDT.
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