Freedom Defeat Richmond
May 19, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Trenton Freedom News Release
RICHMOND, VA (May 17, 2014) - It almost looked like deja-vu all over again in the other direction. The Trenton Freedom were up 45-28 with just over three minutes left. Then a touchdown run by Raider fullback Kenny Jones and a 30-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Derrick Hector made the game 45-42 with under two minutes left.
But just as Freedom quarterback Warren Smith had been doing all game, he found another receiver in the endzone, this time offensive lineman, and eligible receiver at the time, Lavon McCoy for a three-yard touchdown to give the Freedom a 52-42 win over the Raiders on Saturday night.
This was the franchise's first win on the road, and gave the Freedom the season sweep over the Raiders winning all three head-to-head matchups.
Just like the Freedom's last contest with the Raiders, gaining momentum proved to be difficult. Trenton was down by one in the first quarter, before holding a three-point lead at halftime, staying three points ahead in the third quarter, and finally adding to its three point lead in the final minute of the game to make the final margin 10 points.
"I was talking to Coach (James) Fuller after the game," said Freedom Head Coach Kevin O'Hanlon. "He's a great coach, and I don't think my heart can take any more of these games."
In the first half, the game was a battle of the trenches. Two touchdowns each by Freedom fullback Melik Brown and Richmond's fullback Jones, along with a few field goals put the game in Trenton's favor of 24-21 at halftime.
In the second half, Smith showed why he's one of the top quarterbacks in the PIFL. A guy who's tied for the league lead in passing efficiency, he threw four of his five touchdown passes in quarters three and four; all spread out to different receivers.
After some offensive inconsistencies throughout the past few weeks, Smith believed this was one of his most consistent games from the first snap of the game to the final drive.
"I felt comfortable since the first series," Smith said. "I think we did a good job protecting myself, our receivers made some great plays, and (Offensive Coordinator) Ryan Vena was putting me in good situations. I just felt comfortable."
Also coming alive in the second half was the Freedom defense. After having no sacks or turnovers in the first half, Trenton made two key plays in the first six minutes of the third quarter. Linebacker Jerome Hayes forced a fumble and recovered it, and defensive back Christian Wise intercepted a pass from to give the Freedom a couple extra possessions to make a difference in the game.
For Richmond, quarterback Phil Konopka went 17 for 30 with 255 yards and two touchdowns. However, he fumbled the ball into the hands of Hayes and threw the interception to Wise to make the second half an uphill battle for the Raiders.
Konopka's favorite targets were wide receivers Herb Jones (six catches for 64 yards) and Hector (five catches for 113 yards and a touchdown). It was the play of those two receivers that helped make the game close throughout the matchup.
For Smith, he finished his day 23 for 35 for 301 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.
His receivers, Maurice McDonald (six catches for 81 yards), Roger "Spiderman" Jackson (seven catches for 94 yards), Landis Williams (five catches for 55 yards) and Jaquan Bryant (three catches for 61 yards) each caught a touchdown pass, while McCoy on the offensive line added that late fourth-quarter score to give the Freedom offense one of its best performances of the year.
The Freedom host the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks at 7PM on Saturday May 24. Trenton will look to avenge its two losses earlier this season in Lehigh Valley, and build on its three-game win streak in what will be a battle for first-place in the National Conference.
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