Thunder explode in second half, secure first win
Published on March 25, 2006 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Daytona Beach Thunder News Release
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Robert Bailey has had bigger games in his indoor football career. This one was his most important.
Making a return rivaling MacArthur to the Philippines or David Lee Roth to Van Halen, the "Jet" caught seven passes for 171 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Daytona Beach Thunder to its first-ever victory, a 49-24 road spanking of the previously unbeaten Augusta Spartans Friday before 2,761 at the Augusta Civic Center.
After missing the Thunder's game at Richmond due to injury suffered in the Raleigh home-opening loss, Bailey snagged two first-half touchdowns from Oscar Davenport that helped the Thunder overcome four turnovers in the first two periods and kept things close. Despite running 38 plays compared to 15 for Daytona Beach, Augusta led by just 18-13 at the break.
Bailey's 25-yarder from Davenport on the opening drive of the second half put Daytona Beach (1-3) ahead for good, and strikes of 25 and 27 along with a 41-yard Levar Sims fumble return by put the Thunder up 35-18 with 14:33 to play.
The Spartans (2-1) closed to 35-24 on Anthony Young's third touchdown of the night, but the Thunder answered with Bailey - aided by a clutch downfield block from Tarion Hubbard - scoring from 29 yards out -- to make it 42-24. Durrell Preston closed the scoring with a 35-yard interception.
"It feels so good," said Bailey, who five touchdowns matched Richmond's Redd Thompson for most TD catches in an American Indoor Football League contest this season. "It's the most important win I've ever been a part of because we were 0-3 and I need to show I can come back from an injury."
Thunder Head Coach Ervin Bryson expected Bailey to rise to the occasion.
"He carried the team," Bryson said of Bailey. "When Oscar was making some off throws, Bailey made the adjustments and turned them into spectacular plays"
Despite Davenport (9 for 19, 188 yards) having an uncharacteristic three interceptions in the first half - one going back for a Spartans score - and a bizarre fumble call on Brad Lee, the Thunder remained in the game thanks to a defense that registered five stops in the opening 30 minutes.
Young, an elusive scrambler reminiscent of Michael Vick, got his three scores and provided the home crowd with highlight film plays. But he was also held without a touchdown pass for the first time this season, picked off twice, and was sacked four times.
"The defense kept us in the game when we were struggling, then just took over," Bryson said. "At halftime, we came together as a team. We discovered our identity tonight.
"I've got to give Young credit, he's amazing," Bryson added. "He's fun to watch, just not coach against."
In addition to his touchdown pick, Preston led the Thunder with nine tackles. Joe Giddens had 5.5 tackles, a fumble recovery and 1.5 sacks, while Dee Patrick and Brad Lee - seeing time at lineback - each added a sack and Marcus Walker a pick.
The Thunder now hopes to start a winning streak Thursday when it hosts the Florence Phantoms (0-3) at PBS 15 Field at the Ocean Center. Kickoff is at 7 p.m., with pre-game festivities at Ocean Walkes Shoppes beginning at 4 p.m.
NOTES: The Thunder's offense out and point allowed totals were its bests of the season; consequently both of Augusta's numbers were the Spartans' worsts ... For the second straight game, Daytona Beach has held its opponent scoreless in the third quarter ... Daytona Beach's 21-point fourth quarter was the most points in a period this season ... This was the first game Lee (12 carries, 41 yards) and Lucas Greene (2 catches, 17 yards) didn't score a touchdown; Lee did register a two-point conversion ... Both of the Davenport to Bailey first-half strikes came on first down ... Allen Suber had one kickoff return for 11 yards in his Thunder debut ... After missing his first attempt, kicker Anil Pereira made his final five attempts and plunked the hockey scoreboard three consecutive times ... The Thunder's next two opponents, Florence and Carolina, were the teams the Spartans had smacked.
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