JULY 26, 2008
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ONE QUARTER LATE
For the last three quarters of the game, the Patriots outscored Indiana 14-6 and played an outstanding
game versus one of the top teams in the Northern Conference. For those three quarters the defense
played fantastic; but were 15 minutes late as Indiana put up 18 points in the first to capture a 24-14
victory.
Indiana won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to start the game. They made quick work of that
opportunity as Quarterback Adam Rich threw for his first of three touchdowns on a play which saw Patriot
Corner Jonathon Watson (9) trip, allowing the easy score.
Alan Russ (5) took over the helm at Quarterback for the Patriots on the opening drive of the game.
Quarterback Tony Bravata has been unavailable for the start of the season and Inman was not in action
on Saturday. Russ won out the battle over Watson (the starter versus Tri City) who was still suffering from
an illness he had battled all week. The Patriots then lost their starting running back on his second carry of
the game, which also resulted in a fumble, after a 9 yard gain. Indiana recovered the ball and once again
on their second play found the end zone to take a 12-0 lead.
Indiana attempted two point conversions on both touchdown scores but were shut out both times. The
second failed conversion was an early momentum builder for the defense as they forced the Warriors to
trade 3 and outs with the Patriots for two series. After a short possession by the offense, another ill player
found himself in bad position as Corner Mark Merna (8), who was released only hours earlier from the
hospital due to an allergic reaction to a bee sting, was out of position leading to another Indiana
touchdown.
Once again, Indian went for the 2 point conversation and were stopped at the line by a stout Patriot run
defense. The defense then shined for the rest of the half, forcing three back to back 3 and out
performances by the Warrior Offense.
Mid way through the 2nd quarter Russ found receiver Joshua Palice (6) for a 40 yard touchdown throw
that made it 18-6. This time the Patriots failed at their own attempt for a two point conversation. The
Warriors attempted to respond but Safety Brandon Conoway (22) picked up his first interception of the
season and the score would remain the same for the half.
The third quarter offensive fireworks failed to spark as the Patriots punted away their first drive and
Indiana capitalized on short field position pushing it in for a 24-6. That would be the majority of their time
with the ball though as they were limited to only a few minutes in the 3rd quarter while the Patriots went on
a 13 play drive that took the teams into the fourth quarter.
Somehow the long Patriot drive didn't result in points and Indiana took back over possession. After 6
plays, the defense again forced the big play and recovered a fumble.
Russ would begin a drive for five plays and then Jonathon Watson returned to the huddle. Obvious signs
of Watson's health were displayed again as Watson threw an interception on his third snap. Not to miss an
opportunity to score, Russ, while playing corner, picked off Rich of Indiana and returned it for a
touchdown. Watson ran in a two point conversation to make the score 24-14 with over 5 minutes on the
clock.
Special teams attempted an onside kick, and though well placed, Indiana recovered the ball. Indiana
would then drive the ball to the 1 yard line with less than a minute remaining and a 24-14 lead in hand.
However, instead of kneeling, they attempted three straight times to run it in but on all three attempts the
Patriots held strong and kept them out of the end zone.
Palice, who saw double duty on the day playing a hybrid "bandit" position, had two sacks to go with his
touchdown on offense. Two time All Star Defensive End Roberto Bakos (33) had 6 tackles on the day.
Dante Yates (37) continued the rich tradition of Patriot Middle Linebackers with a 10 tackles and two sack
effort. Center Justin Brown (65) had a solid game blocking and also earned a sack while seeing some duty
at nose guard. Ryan Renker (99) made a transition from Left Tackle to Left Guard and did superbly in the
role. Punter Brian Dinnan had an outstanding day and gave the defense solid field position through out
the contest.
Indiana (2-1) moves into first place in the Motor Belt Division while the Patriots (0-3) fall to fourth in the
Central Lakes Divsion.The Patriots are now on the road for three straight weeks beginning with the Detroit
Diesels before returning to Atwood Stadium on August 23rd for a rematch with London.
1 2 3 4 F
INW 18 00 06 00 24
GCP 00 06 08 00 14
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