Roughnecks drop defensive battle to Fairbanks, 22-17
Published on March 24, 2008 under Intense Football League (Intense)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
ODESSA, TX. : The Odessa Roughnecks fell to the Fairbanks Grizzlies in their 2008 regular season opener on Saturday, March 22, 2008, 22-17. The Grizzlies struck early in the first quarter with a 32 yard touchdown pass from QB Bo Bartik to WR Soloman Jones. Jones caught 6 passes for 61 yards and one touchdown on the evening.
The Roughnecks responded in the quarter with QB Dennis Gile hooking up with WR Don Robinson for a 13 yard touchdown strike to tie the game at 7, from then on the Roughnecks would be held scoreless in the first half. Fairbanks countered with 15 unanswered points which included a LB Serre Rodgers safety to go up 9-7 and a 38 yard touchdown pass from QB Bo Bartik to WR Anthony Parks, making it a 15-7 lead for Fairbanks.
Following a Roughnecks fumble just before halftime, Fairbanks increased their lead with a Bartik 1 yard touchdown scramble to give the Grizzlies a 22-7 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Roughnecks turned up the defense, shutting out the Grizzlies and allowing 154 yards of total offense throughout the game. With QB Marcus Gates in for the Roughnecks, Odessa got things going late in the 3rd quarter with a 19 yard touchdown pass to WR Jimmy Conner, cutting the Fairbanks deficit to 22-14. Conner would be one of four Roughnecks Wide Receivers to catch a pass. Don Robinson led the way with 5 catches for 42 yards and a TD.
In the 4th quarter both clubs would exchange several turnovers, however the Roughnecks were able to inch closer with a Ryan Havens 52 yard field goal, making it 22-17, Fairbanks. Havens would go 1-for-6 for field goal attempts throughout the game, including missing attempts from 34 and 35 yards.
The Roughnecks had one last attempt to go on top with 2:21 left in the game, however on 2nd and Goal from the Fairbanks 2 yard line, QB Marcus Gates threw a crucial interception to DB Devin Dawkins, sealing the win for the Grizzlies.
Dawkins would earn player of the game honors as Fairbanks improved to 1-2 on the year. QB Bo Bartik went 13-for-30 for 149 yards passing, 3 total TD (1 rushing), and 3 INT. WR Anthony Parks and Soloman Jones caught 6 passes and 1 TD each and the Grizzlies defense surrendered just 126 yards of offense to the Roughnecks.
As for Odessa, QB Dennis Gile went 4-of- 5 for 32 yards passing and 1 TD as Marcus Gates went 8-for-25 for 89 yards, 1 TD, and 2 interceptions. The Roughnecks begin the regular season 0-1 and continue their Alaska trip with their next game coming up against the Alaska Wild (1-2) on Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Fairbanks looks to continue their winning ways on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Frisco (3-1) starting at 6:00 p.m.
Season tickets and corporate partnerships continue to move quickly so interested parties should contact the team at (432) 332- PASS (7277) or visit www.RoughnecksIFL.com for further information.
Intense Football League Stories from March 24, 2008
- Roughnecks drop defensive battle to Fairbanks, 22-17 - West Texas Roughnecks
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