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Photo Courtesy Bert Mecham
LIONZ EEK OUT IMPROBABLE OVERTIME VICTORY OVER MATADORS TO CAPTURE FIRST RMFL TITLE
SUGAR CITY – In a game that was definitely a “tale of two halves’, the Lionz decisively winning half #1 and the Matadors coming back to take the second half, the game ultimately came down to a single play.
After Matador quarterback, Tom Bennett, found James Clumpf for a 25-yard touchdown completion on the second play of overtime, the Lionz had their work cut out for them. In fact, prior to the game extending touchdown, an 11-yard pass from Todd Barber to Kory Fleming, the Lionz had to convert on 4th down TWICE, including the touchdown play to stay in the game.
Then, the Lionz played the ultimate gambit… they lined up for a game-tying, game-extending extra point attempt… and then shifted into a base offensive set and attempted to run Braxton Mouser into the end zone. The Matadors reacted, however, not before a fumbled ball squirted into the end zone, ultimately controlled on a “tie goes to offense” rule and the Lionz had a 21-20 victory and their first ever RMFL championship title.
The game, however, could have ended on the last play of regulation when Matador place-kicker, Logan Rupp, just missed on a 34-yard field goal that would have sent the Matadors into the victory circle.
After the Lionz scored 13 unanswered points in the second quarter, benefited in large part, by 3 Tom Bennett interceptions, it looked as if the Lionz might have another “cruise control” victory.
However, the Matadors, who were pumped with excitement after taking down their biggest rival, Boise, a week earlier, had other ideas.
The Matadors, lead by 133 rushing yards by Anthony Pomerlee and as strong second half performance by Tom Bennett, almost doubled up the Lionz on total net yards as they recovered in the second half with another Rupp field goal and a Kyle Coombs touchdown run.
As the Lionz offense struggled in the second half, however, the Lionz defense stepped up to keep the game from getting out of hand. Dustin Simmons lead all players with 12 tackles and Tagg Williams, who was named the game’s MVP by a panel of broadcasters present, had two key interceptions in the second quarter to set up the Lionz scores. The defense also did a good job containing all-star wide receiver, Javon Lincoln, holding him to only 3 catches for 31 yards.
Ultimately, however, the game came down to an unprecedented gambit played by first year RMFL head coach, Jason Stucki. Stucki, who has coached at several high schools around the state, has been the team’s owner since the Lionz were founded in 2002. For the first 6 seasons of the team, Rick Hilder, had been the head coach. Even Hilder himself, said after the game… “I would have kicked it.”
Most coaches would have kicked it… the Lionz did not and now they are the Champions of the AA division of the Rocky Mountain Football League. .
See the Power Rankings by Jade Lewis.
