Florida Upends Birmingham
July 10, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Florida Firecats News Release
Estero, FL- A crowd of 4,789 came out to see Florida's Ken Mastrole, Desmond Washington, and Cainon Lamb win the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game, ADT Defensive Player of the Game, and U.S. Army Ironman of the Game, respectively.
The Florida Firecats (8-5) came into this game realizing that a potential crisis could be on their hands. A loss would give the Birmingham Steeldogs (9-4) the American South Division and a definite birth into the playoffs. A loss would kill any hopes of the Firecats hosting a playoff game for the first time in franchise history. A loss would also throw the Firecats into an extreme battle to make the playoffs at all.
On the other hand, a win would place the Firecats only a game behind the Steeldogs in the division race. If the Firecats could accomplish the nearly impossible feat of beating the af2's number one ranked team by more than 21 points, they could really be put into an interesting position.
Then the impossible happened. After playing what could arguably be the best game that any Firecat team has ever played, the Firecats walked off the turf in Germain Arena with a huge 55-28 victory. After being knocked off by Birmingham 55-34 earlier in the year, the Firecats needed to win by more than 21 points to take the season tiebreaker from a stout Steeldog team. Florida did what had to be done on the field, and they walked away with the 27-point victory. If Florida wins out, and Birmingham loses another game, the Firecats will win the American South Division.
The Firecats came out the gate with a lot of rushing from the af2's leading ball carrier, Steve Gorrie. After pounding the ball four consecutive times, Gorrie cashed in from a yard out to give the Firecats the first score of the game.
On the ensuing Steeldog drive, Desmond Washington picked off a Jeff Aaron pass in the Birmingham end zone. After hitting up Magic Benton for 16 yards, Florida quarterback Ken Mastrole found the able Cainon Lamb for his first touchdown of the night.
Birmingham answered the Firecats with a 2-yard touchdown run by Dontae Walker, his first of two scores on the night. After a Rhett Gallego extra point, the Firecats took the ball with a 13-7 lead. On the Firecats' next drive, Cainon Lamb made an unbelievable diving catch that resulted in a 35-yard touchdown. Brandon Kornblue added the extra point, and the Firecats led 20-7. Dontae Walker then answered for the Steeldogs with another touchdown on the ground to bring Birmingham within six points.
The Firecats then put together a lengthy drive that resulted in another hookup in the end zone from Mastrole to Benton. Cainon Lamb then ran in the fake extra point to give the Firecats a 28-14 lead. After Brandon Kornblue booted the kickoff out of the back of the Steeldog end zone, the Firecats' defense stuck the Birmingham offense three staright plays. Steeldog kicker Rhett Gallego then came out to attempt the 58-yard field goal with only 27 seconds left in the half. Linebacker Chris Morant then busted through the Steeldog line, blocking the Gallego kick and recovering it for another Firecat touchdown. The Firecats held off the Birmingham offense for 27 seconds, and they took a 35-14 lead into halftime.
After the Steeldogs turned over the football on downs on their first drive of the second half, Cainon Lamb ran in a touchdown from two yards out to give the Firecats a commanding 41-14 lead, never looking back.
Receiver Cainon Lamb broke yet another Firecat team record on the night. His six receptions for two touchdowns bring his career reception total to 196, a new Firecat team record. Lamb ended the night with 90 receiving yards.
Quarterback Ken Mastrole finished the night 13 of 23 for 169 yards and four touchdowns. Magic Benton added five catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns to the cause. Brent Burnside also caught three balls for 20 yards.
On the ground, Florida fullback Steve Gorrie pounded his way into the number two spot in the af2 single season rushing record book. Gorrie finished the night with eight carries for 35 yards and two touchdowns. Gorrie now has 421 rushing yards on the season, and he only needs 19 yards to complete the best ever season on the ground by any player in af2 history.
On the defensive side of the ball, Florida's Desmond Washington led the way with four tackles, two interceptions, and three pass deflections. Quincy Sorrell added 4.5 tackles to bring his season total to 75.5, only 4.5 tackles short of Roy Stabler's record. Chris Morant had two tackles, one for a loss, along with his blocked field goal that he recovered for a touchdown. Rashieem Reed also had a tackle for a loss, and Keith Drayton and Comone Fisher shared another tackle for a loss.
The Firecats return home next Saturday to host the Laredo Law. There will be a special halftime presentation by the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders. Tickets can be purchased by calling (239) 390-2287.
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