Frenzy upset Osceola
May 23, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Florida Frenzy News Release
Hollywood, FL. In an action packed-game down in Ft. Lauderdale, The Florida Frenzy looked good on both Defense and Offense, as they upset Osceola on Sunday, 44-43.
There were a number of firsts for The Frenzy... Their Head Coach Ray Isaac is now their starting Quarterback! Filling his job at Head Coach is Willie Chacon. Also making his first start at Linebacker was Lawrence Taylor Jr., the son of NY Giants great Lawrence Taylor. A number of stars have recently been spotted at Frenzy home games. Last week Dante Culpepper and a number of other Dolphins were in the house. Claire Marino and family were there a few weeks before, and tonight Lawrence Taylor himself was rumored to be coming out.
New QB Ray Isaac (# 9) has a rifle for an arm, and his precision passing seemed to be picking apart the Osceola defense. Even under good coverage, Isaac was finding ways of zipping the balls in, and his receivers Patrick Rouzzard and James Robinson ran good routes with their feet, and made great catches with their hands. At halftime The Frenzy were up 20-13.
Beginning of the 3 rd Quarter, and Isaac was connecting again to Patrick Rouzzard for another TD. Osceola blocked a Florida field goal attempt and returned it to the Frenzy 2 yard line. Osceola would score, tying the game at 27. On the following kickoff, Florida's Reggie Perkins shook of a number of would-be tacklers and returned it all the way. Looks like we were in for a shootout, and it was clear that Florida was not going to fold in the second half as they had just six days earlier against Lakeland.
In the 4 th Qtr. Ray Isaac threw another TD from about 15 yards out, connecting again with Patrick Rouzzard. Osceola would not rest, and on the next series scored on a bomb that almost covered the length of the field.
There was 9:00 minutes left in the game, and we were deadlocked at 41-41. The Frenzy defense had been rising to the occasion throughout the night, especially 6'4" Nose Tackle Guy Muzzard who always seemed to be in the big play when Florida needed it. With 4:12 left to play, Florida's offense faced a 4 th and 6 and opted to try a long field goal. Kicker Leo Zupo nailed it from 45+ yards, and the crowd went nuts... The Frenzy Defense again put the clamps on Osceola, and with under 2 minutes Osceola went to tie the score with an attempted field goal... The Frenzy Fans rose to the occasion, led by "The FMWC" (Frenzy Moms With Cowbells) and the Osceola Kicker cracked under pressure and pulled it wide left. (more)
With 0:25 left in the game, The Frenzy were up 44-41, and ran the ball three straight times deep in their own territory. On third down a bobbled snap from Center could have spelled disaster, but QB Isaac got control of the ball, but for little gain. With 4th down and 7 to go for a first and a full 7 seconds left on the clock, The Frenzy faced a serious problem... Try a field goal, and if it's blocked, Osceola could easily win the game since Florida was deep in their own territory... Throw a pass, and risk an interception, and again a possible defensive TD. Run the ball and fall short of the 1 st down, and Osceola would have one more play to go for the tie or a win within short range...
Well somebody was really thinking on Florida's staff as they opted to do none of the above. With a full 7 seconds left, Ray Isaac took the snap, scrambled back to the right, then to the left and into his own end zone. He scrambled long enough to keep the clock running before being taken down for a Safety. Yes, never has the term "safety" lived up to it's name so well. That smart play calling clinched the win for Florida who would gladly give up two more points to Osceola with the safety, as long as they got the clock down to zero..
This Florida team looked sharper tonight than they have all season. The offense was putting points on the board, and the Defense continued to play tough throughout the game. It would appear this team has finally found a well balanced attack, and with that in hand the future now suddenly looks bright.
Next Frenzy Home Game: Monday, June 5, 2006 vs. Greensboro Revolution
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National Indoor Football League Stories from May 23, 2006
- Former Fever Player to participate in World Bowl - Tri-Cities Fever
- Commentary: NIFL daily buzz - OSC Original by Chris Simpson
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- Frenzy upset Osceola - Florida Frenzy
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