Force Thrash Predators
June 26, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Georgia Force News Release
In a clash of potentially playoff-bound squads in front of 11,364 at the Amway Center, the Force (9-6) enjoyed a huge night from receivers Larry Shipp and Maurice Purify as they rolled over the Orlando Predators (8-6), 64-34, on Saturday night.
"We just had a good game plan, really, and the guys executed it," said Force head coach Dean Cokinos afterward. "The players did everything we asked."
The Force defense knew coming in it would have its hands full with AFL offensive yardage leader and Orlando quarterback Nick Hill, as they sought to minimize his touches while containing him in the pocket. The defense delivered as they held Hill to a season-low 250 total offensive yards, well below his season average of 324.6 yards per game.
"We really gave him problems," said Cokinos of Hill. "He wasn't able to use his legs. Our defense was patient and forced him into a lot of errors."
The contest didn't start smoothly for the Force, as the Predators came out of the gate hot when Hill connected on his first three passes, which led to a 3-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Sippio. The Force opened the quarter with a long five-minute drive that resulted in a 36-yard field goal by kicker Carlos Martinez. On the next drive, the Predators took an early gamble by going for it on fourth-and-goal at their own 9-yard line but the defense stopped Orlando inside the one-yard line.
After the change of possession, the Force took the ball the length of the field and capitalized on the turnover on downs with a 1-yard touchdown strike to Maurice Purify. The Predators took over and drained over ten minutes of the clock to make it 14-10. The Force answered with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Lance Ancar and piled on when they forced a Predators safety. On the ensuing play from scrimmage, the Force set up a screen pass to Purify, who turned the short pass into a 41-yard scamper to the end zone. The touchdown capped a 16-point scoring spree to end the half with the Force leading, 26-14.
"The safety is the best thing that can happen [on defense]," said Cokinos. "It's usually a nine-point swing. The worst thing a team can do in the arena game is take a safety."
The break in action did not stop the Force attack as they followed the intermission with a 4-play 41-yard drive that resulted in Elliott finding Purify for a 15-yard touchdown. However, the Predators stopped the 23-point ambush when Hill found Robert Quiroga for an 8-yard score, which made the score 33-20 after the blocked extra point attempt. For the remainder of the quarter, the Force special teams and defensive play continued to rise to the occasion, as Martinez connected on his second field goal of the game and Ahmad Hawkins snagged down his eighth interception of the season to push the Force lead to 36-20.
The Force opened the final period with a 13-yard touchdown from Elliott to Larry Shipp. On the next possession, the Predators cut the margin down to 16 points, on a Hill 7-yard touchdown pass to T.T. Tolliver, but that would be as close as the Predators would get, as the Force proved to be too strong as they pushed their lead to as many as 37 in the quarter before finishing the contest 64-34.
The Force were led by Shipp, who finished the game with 6 receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns; Purify added 7 receptions for 95 yards and three touchdowns. Purify's 43rd touchdown of the season puts him only four touchdown shy of the Force all-time mark, while C.J. Johnson's 107 all-purpose yards pushed him passed the all-time mark set by Chris Jackson in 2006 (2,652). When asked about goals for the bye week, Cokinos was concise.
"Take the week off. Get our bodies healthy."The Force return to action after the bye week on Saturday, July 9th, for their final game of the season at The Arena at Gwinnett Center. The Central Division-leading Chicago Rush will be on hand, and tickets are moving quickly. Call the Force front office today to reserve your seats at (770) 606-1300.
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Arena Football League Stories from June 26, 2011
- Barnstormers Come up Short Against Division Leading Rush - Iowa Barnstormers
- Rush Snag 10th Win of Season Against Barnstormers, 58-48 - Chicago Rush
- Force Thrash Predators - Georgia Force
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