Good Half Spoiled: Frisco Fades At Centex 41-25
May 12, 2008 - Intense Football League (Intense)
Frisco Thunder News Release
BELTON, Tex. -- Holding a team to three points in a half will win you a lot of games in indoor football game. It didn't for the Frisco Thunder Saturday.
Instead of celebrating one the best defensive halves of both team and indoor football history, the Thunder now has to break down its worst offensive performance after the CenTex Barracudas posted a 41-25 Intense Football League victory in the Bell County Expo Center.
After managing just two field goals on its first six possessions, CenTex (5-3) scored touchdowns on five straight possessions to sweep the season series with the Thunder(5-4) and move pass Frisco into fourth place in the Intense Football League standings. It was also the Thunder's second straight loss.
Playing its first game after a two-week bye, Frisco defense was at its best the first 30 minute against CenTex QB James Brown, the former Texas Longhorn, AFL and NFL Europe standout who registered ten touchdown passes in his first two Barracuda appearances.
A pass rush keyed by Chris Glenn (three sacks) and defensive coverage paced by Marcus Stiggers (three breakups) limited Brown and the Barracudas to 59 total yards in the first half. The Thunder managed a 7-3 lead on Ricky Madison�s 17-yard run with 12:27 remaining in the first half of the well-played defensive struggle.
When Wes Cooper connected with Jason Deml for a 23-yarder on the Thunder's opening play of the second half, it looked like Frisco had solved the offensive part. Instead, the touchdown would be Frisco's last until Cooper hit Daron Lawrence with 2:01 remaining in the fourth quarter to make it a 34-25 game.
In between, CenTex capitalized on two Frisco turnovers, scoring three unanswered touchdowns to turn a 13-6 deficit into a 27-13 lead.
After Olan Coleman's 31-yard catch-and-run made it 20-13, Frisco was driving to answer. On a controversial call, officials ruled that Jason Deml fumbled on a first-down play that CenTex recovered and converted into a two-score advantage.
Dennis Hopovac nailed two fourth-quarter field attempts to keep Frisco within striking distance.
Brown completed just 13 of 27 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns -- one each to Coleman and Kendrick Wade. CenTex was outgained 193-160, but won the turnover battle 3-0.
For Frisco, Cooper finished 14 of 30 for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Lawrence had seven catches for 75 yards and Deml 4 for 52. Madison gained 39 yards on the ground. Michael Larry and Nathan Jackson each added a sack to Frisco'ss total of five, the most against Brown this season.
The Thunder travel to San Angelo next Saturday. Gametime is 7 p.m.
NOTEBOOK
25: The Thunder's offensive total was the lowest in franchise history. The previous low: 35 in a 52-35 loss at Katy on July 28, 2007.
0-0: The scoreless first quarter was Frisco's first scoreless quarter of the season and first since the second and third of a 52-36 loss to Corpus Christi on July 21, 2007. On the positive side, the defense registered its third scoreless period this year. This was the first time in franchise history neither team has scored in a 15-minute span in a Thunder game.
MORRIS SCORELESS: WR Richard Morris has gone the last two games without producing a touchdown. The good news: he still leads the Intense Football League with 18 on the season.
SWEEP OR BE SWEPT: In two seasons, the Thunder has either swept a season series with an opponent or has been swept. Odessa and CenTex have done the deed to Frisco this year, but here's the consolation. Three of the Thunder's next four opponents have lost to Frisco earlier this season. The Thunder hasn't faced undefeated Louisiana yet.
HOW YOU FINISH: Ricky Madison had 47 rushing yards in the first half, which would have been his season-high. However, his two carries in the second half resulted in a combined eight-yard loss, leaving him with 39 on the evening. He maintained his IFL lead for rushing touchdowns with his 11th of the season in the first half.
HOPOVAC: Dennis Hopovac posted his second straight game with two or more field goals and his fourth this season.
WELCOMED ADDITION: New Thunder RB Antwon Andrews had a strong debut, gaining 15 yards on 2 carries and returning five kickoffs for 79. Andrews started the season with San Angelo, but signed with Frisco to give the option of moving Ricky Madison to wide-out in some situations.
THAT RULE HELPS: For the second straight game, the Thunder needed to call up a reserve -- Nathan Jackson was pressed to action and registered a sack.
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