Written by Jack Brown, Baylee O’Shaughnessy, Josh Farnzy, Rachelle Colston and Matthew Slinn
Images by Tyler Falk and Axel Raven
SFL Quarter Finals
Three nail-biters and a blow out
The Vultures couldn’t fly through the Storm
By Rachelle Colston
The Baltimore Vultures travelled to Florida to play the Storm in this semi-final matchup. Would the Vultures advance to defend their title, or would Florida get a shot at another championship?
The first half of the game was a great defensive battle. Baltimore had the lead until late in the second quarter when Florida would finally find the end zone with about 5 minutes left in the half. The teams would head to their locker rooms with the Storm ahead 10-6.
The second half of this game was a different tale. The Storm’s offense would finally find their rhythm. QB Ron Cockren would go 28 for 35 on the day with 301 passing yards, one interception and one touchdown. The passing attack included every receiver, the tight end and both backs. Biletsky and Doyle combined had 21 carries for 54 yards and each had a touchdown. Florida’s defense also stepped up and held the Vultures to two field goals until WR Mac Chimah would finally find the end zone with 51 seconds left in the game.
Baltimore’s offensive approach was like the Florida attack. QB Jack Wigmore completed 30 of his 40 passes for 271 yards with 2 interceptions and one passing touchdown. This passing attack included every wide receiver, one tight end and the running back. Troy Gaines had 18 carries for 75 yards, but he just could not find the end zone. The Vultures defense just did not have an answer for the Storm’s balanced offensive attack in the second half of the game. The Vultures would head back to Baltimore with the loss 27-13.
The Storm will travel to Denver this week to paly the #1 ranked Nightwings for the Ship. I believe that the key for Florida to win this game is the Storm’s defense. They will need to find a way to shut down league MVP hopeful RB Jarrod McChesney while forcing QB Josh Miller to pass the ball more frequently.