As I stood outside of the Battalion stadium today, you could see the clouds rolling in from the south, the chance of rain was high on this day, but what about the chance of the Battalion winning 2 in a row......
The fans did not seem to mind the impending rain as they completeted their tailgate parties and began entering Battalion Stadium. The Hype was in the air and you could tell the fans were getting anxious, could this be the first time in Battalion history that they win 2 in a row? Any fan outside that gate would answer "YES......TODAY IS THE DAY!".
The rain had just started to come down as the Sidewinders took the field and you could hear the sounds of boos and other descending remarks coming from the stands....
Then, off in the distance, you could see the shimmer of the first black helmet standing in the home tunnel......then another and another........until finally the Yellow and Black filled the entranceway to the tunnel......it was a menacing sight to see.........The stands went crazy and you couldn't tell the real thunder from the sky from the thunderous applause and stomping as Tim Crusher lead the Battalion to the Bulldog on the 50 yd. line.
The Battalion players had a look in their eyes that I have never seen before.....it was DETERMINATION......they had something to prove today.......to the fans and to themselves.
The coin toss followed and the SWs(Sidewinders) won the toss and elected to receive the kick.
The stadium erupted as Christie's foot came in contact with the ball.....the game was officially underway. Kilmer returned the kick for 32 yds. and started the SW's first drive of the game.
The SWs first drive only went for 12 yds. and they punted to the Battalion, who put together a 27 yd. drive that also stalled just outside of FG range.
The 2 teams traded possesions a few more times until this play from Crusher to Evans helped set up the first points of the game......a 34 yd. FG from Chritie....
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6619411
After a quick 3 and out from the SWs, the Battalion once again drove downfield with an air attack that covered 45 yds. and was finished off by this 1 yd. TD run from
Thomas..........
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6619932
Just when it looked as thought the Battalion might run away with the game, the SWs stunned the Battalion with a 47 yd strike to TE Goodhands....
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6620582
An incredible defense battle ensued as both teams refused to give up any points until Crusher found Jett up the left side for a 12 yd TD.....
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6621989
With the score 17 - 7, the Battalion put together another impressive drive that covered 32 yds and put them ahead by another 3 points, thanks to a career long 45 yd FG by Christie.
The SWs followed suit by putting together a drive of their own that finished up with a 1 yd TD run.
With a 20 - 14 lead and 5:06 to go in the game.....the Battalion knew they had to hold on to the ball and keep it out of SWs hands. This is exactly what they did as Pro bowl FB Truman almost single handedly put the game away with 23 yds on the ground, highlighted by this 9 yd gain and a fumble recovery that could have changed the game.
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6621989
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6623653
As Jack Truman carried the ball off the field triumphantly........you could hear the fans chanting "BRING ON CHICAGO......BRING ON CHICAGO!!!!".
There wan not a single empty chair in the house, even after the game had ended....I assume the fans wanted to relish in the moment....this was an historical day here in Jersey................THE BATTALION HAD WON 2 IN A ROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Through the noise of the crowd you could still hear the Battalion chant coming from the tunnel...."The Battalion's on the loose, don't try to hide.......just sit back and enjoy the ride"
The fans did not seem to mind the impending rain as they completeted their tailgate parties and began entering Battalion Stadium. The Hype was in the air and you could tell the fans were getting anxious, could this be the first time in Battalion history that they win 2 in a row? Any fan outside that gate would answer "YES......TODAY IS THE DAY!".
The rain had just started to come down as the Sidewinders took the field and you could hear the sounds of boos and other descending remarks coming from the stands....
Then, off in the distance, you could see the shimmer of the first black helmet standing in the home tunnel......then another and another........until finally the Yellow and Black filled the entranceway to the tunnel......it was a menacing sight to see.........The stands went crazy and you couldn't tell the real thunder from the sky from the thunderous applause and stomping as Tim Crusher lead the Battalion to the Bulldog on the 50 yd. line.
The Battalion players had a look in their eyes that I have never seen before.....it was DETERMINATION......they had something to prove today.......to the fans and to themselves.
The coin toss followed and the SWs(Sidewinders) won the toss and elected to receive the kick.
The stadium erupted as Christie's foot came in contact with the ball.....the game was officially underway. Kilmer returned the kick for 32 yds. and started the SW's first drive of the game.
The SWs first drive only went for 12 yds. and they punted to the Battalion, who put together a 27 yd. drive that also stalled just outside of FG range.
The 2 teams traded possesions a few more times until this play from Crusher to Evans helped set up the first points of the game......a 34 yd. FG from Chritie....
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6619411
After a quick 3 and out from the SWs, the Battalion once again drove downfield with an air attack that covered 45 yds. and was finished off by this 1 yd. TD run from
Thomas..........
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6619932
Just when it looked as thought the Battalion might run away with the game, the SWs stunned the Battalion with a 47 yd strike to TE Goodhands....
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6620582
An incredible defense battle ensued as both teams refused to give up any points until Crusher found Jett up the left side for a 12 yd TD.....
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6621989
With the score 17 - 7, the Battalion put together another impressive drive that covered 32 yds and put them ahead by another 3 points, thanks to a career long 45 yd FG by Christie.
The SWs followed suit by putting together a drive of their own that finished up with a 1 yd TD run.
With a 20 - 14 lead and 5:06 to go in the game.....the Battalion knew they had to hold on to the ball and keep it out of SWs hands. This is exactly what they did as Pro bowl FB Truman almost single handedly put the game away with 23 yds on the ground, highlighted by this 9 yd gain and a fumble recovery that could have changed the game.
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6621989
http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=6623653
As Jack Truman carried the ball off the field triumphantly........you could hear the fans chanting "BRING ON CHICAGO......BRING ON CHICAGO!!!!".
There wan not a single empty chair in the house, even after the game had ended....I assume the fans wanted to relish in the moment....this was an historical day here in Jersey................THE BATTALION HAD WON 2 IN A ROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Through the noise of the crowd you could still hear the Battalion chant coming from the tunnel...."The Battalion's on the loose, don't try to hide.......just sit back and enjoy the ride"
