Roughnecks Hold on for 39-22 Win Over Brawlers
February 22, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
West Texas Roughnecks News Release
MIDLAND, TX. : The West Texas Roughnecks kicked off the 2011 regular season on Monday, February 21 by hosting the Oklahoma City Bricktown Brawlers from the Ector County Coliseum. Defense was the name of the game throughout the opening quarter as both teams were held scoreless. The Roughnecks defense stopped the Brawlers offense on back-to-back fourth down situations in the opening quarter, as the Roughnecks offense was denied of the end-zone on their opening possession including a missed field goal on their second offensive series.
The Roughnecks would strike first in the second quarter as RB Evin Jones recorded a one-yard touchdown run to give the Roughnecks a 7-0 lead. On the next Brawlers offensive possession, Roughnecks DL Jermaine Blakely forced a QB Reggie Ball fumble which would be recovered by Jeramie Richardson. Richardson's fumble recovery allowed the Roughnecks to expand on their lead to 14-0 when DeWayne Hogan added a one-yard touchdown run. The momentum would shift in favor of the Brawlers later in the second quarter as RB Ben Birmingham recorded an 11-yard touchdown run. The Brawlers would add a successful two-point conversion attempt following the touchdown cutting the deficit to 14-8.
Following a Roughnecks missed field goal, the Brawlers would tie the game at 14 later in the second quarter when Reggie Ball found Ben Birmingham for a 22-yard touchdown pass. The Brawlers would have their only lead of the game in the second quarter when the defensive unit recorded a safety with a sack on Roughnecks quarterback Arkelon Hall making it 16-14 at halftime.
The Roughnecks offense started off strong to begin the third quarter when Arkelon Hall found WR Wilson Kimble for a 13-yard touchdown pass giving the lead back to the Roughnecks at 20-16. After the Roughnecks defense held the Brawlers scoreless on back-to-back possessions including an Eric Henri fumble recovery, RB Evin Jones added his second rushing touchdown from three yards out to make it 26-16.
The Roughnecks defense came up strong once again in the fourth quarter with another stop on fourth down. The stop led to DeWayne Hogan's second rushing touchdown of the evening from four yards out, making it 32-16. The Brawlers quickly countered with a three-yard touchdown run from Ben Birmingham cutting the deficit to 32-22. The Roughnecks would seal the win when Arkelon Hall found WR Josh Floyd for a 36-yard touchdown pass extending the Roughnecks lead to 39-22. LB Eric Henri would intercept QB Reggie Ball on the Brawlers final offensive possession of the game.
NEXT GAME - The West Texas Roughnecks (1-0) travel to Allen, Texas to face the Wranglers on Monday, February 28 as the Oklahoma City Bricktown Brawlers (0-1) enter a bye week. The Brawlers will host the Allen Wranglers on Sunday, March 6 in the team's home opener of the 2011 season.
HIGHLIGHTS - West Texas Roughnecks
QB Arkelon Hall - 6 of 13, 69 yards, 2 TD
RB Evin Jones - 10 car., 12 yards, 2 TD
DL Jermaine Blakely - 5.0 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks
Bricktown Brawlers
QB Reggie Ball - 13 of 31, 72 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int.
RB Ben Birmingham - 7 car., 71 yards, 2 TD
DL Billy Harrison - 10.0 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks
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- Bloodsaw Named Starter - Amarillo Venom
- Roughnecks Hold on for 39-22 Win Over Brawlers - West Texas Roughnecks
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