Rage give fans reason to cheer in home opener
March 28, 2005 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
RiverCity Rage News Release
The River City Rage got their 2005 season off to an exciting start in their home opener, coming back from 10 points down late in the game, and defeating the Fayetteville Guard 46 to 43, before 3,892 fans at the Family Arena Saturday night. Rage quarterback Clay Groefsema showed signs of becoming the offensive leader the team will need in 2005, completing 16 of 27 passes for 198 yards and 4 touchdowns, the longest being a 40 yard strike to wide receiver Scott Pingel that got the early season crowd on it's feet late in the first quarter.
After an exciting Pre-Game show that focused on honouring the Military and introducing Rage fans to the type of fun and excitement they can expect at Family Arena this year, the Rage jumped out in front of the Guard when Groefsema scored on a 5 yard run with 6:18 to go in the first quarter. Jerry Lakin's kick put the Rage on top 7-0. Some 4 minutes later, Fayetteville QB Shawn Withy-Allen answered with a 1 yard touchdown run of his own. However, Shawn Thomas point-after attempt was off the mark, and the Rage lead 7-6. Only 40 seconds later, the fans got a taste of the Groefsema to Pingel combination that is sure to be a top offensive weapon for Coach Mike Wyatt. Pingel broke free on a post pattern and caught a spiral from Groefsema at the 10 yard line, trotting into the end zone. Lakin's Point after gave the Rage a 14 to 6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Touchdown passes from Fayetteville's Withy-Allen to wide receiver Tuati Wooden and running back Michael Cosey put the Guard ahead 21-14 with just 1:28 to play in the first half, but it didn't take long for the Rage to answer that score. On the second play from scrimmage after the kickoff, newcoming speedster Hurtis Chinn, a product of Western New Mexico University, ran under a 37 yard strike from Clay Groefsema and scampered into the end zone. Jerry Lakin's third successful PAT knotted the teams at 21 all at halftime.
Fayetteville's offense took over at that point, scoring on a Withy-Allen to wide receiver Brandon McDowell touchdown pass covering 9 yards, and jumping out to a 10 point lead when Shawn Thomas booted a 40 yard field goal with 5:01 left in the 3rd quarter. But the Rage refused to fold, and again answered quickly when just 17 seconds later, Hurtis Chinn took a pitch- out and run a lightning fast end around reverse 25 yards for a score. Jerry Lakin's kick brought the Rage to within 3 at 31-28. Guard QB Withy-Allen's 4th TD pass and a failed PAT was followed by a Rage field goal of 19 yards by Jerry Lakin, bringing the score to 37 to 31 with just under 12 minutes to play. Three plays later, Rage Nose Tackle Jay Carmack turn in the defensive play later pegged by Coach Mike Wyatt as the play that turned the game around. On second and 10 at their own 5 yard line, Fayetteville's Withy- Allen faded back to pass, was pressured, and fired a pass that was intercepted by Carmack at the 7. He rambled to the Guard 3 yard line where he was brought down. Two plays later, the Rage found the end zone again on the second Groefsema to Pingel team-up, this one a 3 yard scoring strike, with the successful point after putting the Rage ahead 38 to 37. Five plays later, the Guard covered 39 yards to score, capped by a 1 yard touchdown run by QB Withy-Allen. The 2 point conversion failed and the Rage were poised for a home-opener comeback. With just under 3 and a half minutes to play, the 3rd Groefsema to Pingel touchdown pass combination brought the crowd alive. On 3rd and 7 from the Fayetteville 12, Groefsema faded back and rifled a 12 yard bullet to Pingel to put the Rage ahead by a point. If once is good, twice has to be better and the Rage took a three point lead when Groefsema hit Pingel with a pass that sent Scott over the boards in the end zone, but he held on to the football and completed the 2 point conversion. A last minute drive by Fayetteville ended when Withy-Allen was sacked, and his fumble was recovered by Rage DB Andy Peterson, sending the opening night crowd home on a high-note.
"I was very pleased with Clay's play at quarterback" stated Rage Head Coach Mike Wyatt, "he showed all the signs of being able to take over as offensive leader of this football team." Wyatt also expressed pride in his team's ability not to panic in the face of being 10 points down late in the game, a margin he termed "significant" in the indoor game.
The Rage play the Cincinatti Marshal's on the road this Saturday, April 2nd. They return home the following Saturday to take on the Montgomery Maulers at the St. Charles Family Arena.
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National Indoor Football League Stories from March 28, 2005
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