Haymakers Win Big Behind Coach Cory Ross
April 28, 2014 - Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL)
Lincoln Haymakers News Release
Lincoln, NE- The Haymakers took on the Bloomington Edge Saturday night and the Haymakers came ready to play. Lincoln secured a much needed win after back-to-back road games and look to continue their strong play into the rest of the season. The final score from Lincoln on Saturday night was the Lincoln Haymakers 58, the Bloomington Edge 27.
With starting QB Chick Wright unavailable, head coach Cory Ross looked to WR Nick Rhodes to fill in for the absent Wright at quarterback. If anyone had any doubts to start the game as to how Nick might handle the pressure at the position, they all faded fast. Rhodes came out firing right away and showed a surprisingly strong pocket-presence throughout the game. Rhodes had 4 passing touchdowns which included two of 25 yards or more, along with a 12 yard scamper in which Rhodes avoided 4 Edge defenders to give Lincoln their final score of the game. Other key players on the offensive side of the ball include RB Travis Ribbing and WR Marquis Parker. Ribbing had a fantastic 45 yard touchdown run, along with a 35 yard touchdown reception from Rhodes. Meanwhile Parker had 2 touchdown receptions in his return to the Haymakers.
However the most surprising impact from the game came from the Haymakers defense. On Bloomington's first drive of the game, the Haymakers pressured the Edge into making a poor snap off the line which went into the endzone and was recovered by the Haymakers for a touchdown. The rest of the game the Haymakers defense was relentless, causing multiple interceptions, incomplete passes, and only allowing 27 points after giving up 50 during their last meeting in Lincoln. The total turnover count for the Haymakers defense was 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles including 1 recovery. Whether it was the initial stand that gave the Haymakers defense confidence or their general belief and desire to win, the defense came to play.
In addition to the player's success on the football field Saturday night, head coach Cory Ross became the All-Time Winningest coach in Haymakers history. Ross said "It feels good, but I am hungry more this year. With it being only my second year in the organization, I would like to get another 4 wins under my belt." Without a doubt Ross has given the Haymakers organization new life and if the team that showed up on Saturday night shows up to play the rest of this season, there is no reason why Lincoln can't finish off the season 7-5.
The Haymakers will take on the Kansas Koyotes at home on May 9th, 7:05pm at the Pershing Center. Be sure to keep up with all Haymakers updates on Twitter and Facebook. For ticketing information contact the Haymakers at (402) 904-5600 or go to www.lincolnhaymakers.com.
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Champions Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 28, 2014
- Haymakers Win Big Behind Coach Cory Ross - Lincoln Haymakers
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