Post by Drew Galyardt on Jun 16, 2017 20:57:06 GMT -8
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Drew Galyardt
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Drew Galyardt
@dgalyardt17
5/18/17 --
LOVELAND, CO- The Colorado Crush lost a heartbreaker for their final regular season game, and possibly their final franchise game. The Arizona Rattlers struck in overtime to take a 48-44 victory, even after turning the ball over 4 times.
In the final regular season game for these two teams, the 2,600 fans in attendance got their money’s worth. The first quarter went back and forth after a botched snap on a field goal attempt for Colorado, the Rattlers responded with a turnover of their own, a fumble on 2nd down. Colorado proceeded to hit a field goal to get on the board first, 3-0. The Rattlers got the first touchdown from a Darrell Monroe 6 yard touchdown run. Liam Nadler threw a 10 yard touchdown to end the first 10-7.
The second quarter started off quick with the ensuing kickoff returned by Arizona for a touchdown, only to be brought back on a block in the back penalty. It turned out to be no problem for Jamal Miles, who finished a successful drive with a touchdown, giving Arizona a 14-10 lead. Nadler found Lovie Rose for a 25 yard bomb a few plays later, setting up a 2 yard pitch and run by Zavier Steward, giving the Crush the lead once again. The Crush defense couldn’t stop a powerful Arizona drive which led to another 2 yard touchdown run for the Rattlers, 21-17.
Colorado fumbled on their next possession, which turned out to not be a problem as the Crush forced their second turnover of the evening on the next play. After a three and out and field goals from both teams, the half ended 21-20 in favor of Arizona.
The third quarter was a defensive battle, and an uphill one for Colorado, after Arizona scored on their opening drive to increase their lead 31-20. The Crush were able to muster a field goal before their defense bailed them out once again. Aziz Higgins forced a fumble and returned it all the way to the house, and after a two point conversion, the Crush found themselves tied with the best team in the Intense conference after 3 quarters, 31-31.
The fourth quarter started off perfect for the Crush, again forcing a fumble and recovering it. All it took was one 31 yard bomb from Nadler to Lovie Rose and the Crush took the lead 38-31. The Rattlers responded with yet another 2 yard touchdown run from Darron Thomas, tying the game up. The Crush did their best to manage the clock, driving it down to two minutes and kicking the go ahead field goal. Thomas took the game into his own hands, running 17 yards to set up the tying field goal with 16 seconds remaining.
The fans in Colorado got some free football in the season finale. Arizona won the toss and elected to take the ball second, a gamble that turned out the way they wanted it to. The Crush could only muster a field goal, and the defense couldn’t hang on one last time. The Rattlers punched it home for the 47-44 final score.
While it is unknown how the future is going to play out, it is rumored that tonight would be the final game played for this Crush squad, as off the field circumstances arose. Only time will tell what the future will hold for the franchise, and I personally wish the best of luck to all the players, coaches, staff members, and fans who were a part of this organization since 2006.
The Rattlers advance to the postseason, winning the Intense conference. The Crush however, must sit and wait, and hope that this snakebite of a loss, isn’t the final game for the franchise.
ARIZONA:
Darron Thomas 6-7, 76 yds
Jamal Miles 6 att, 51 yds, 1 TD
14 Darrell Monroe 6 att, 37 yds, 2 TD
2 Darron Thomas 11 att, 31 yds, 2 TD
42 Ketrich Harmon 10 rush 25 yds, 1 TD
COLORADO:
Liam Nadler 16-32, 144 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Lovie Rose III 6 rec, 69 yds, 1 TD
88 Kendall Sanders 4 rec, 33 yds, 1 TD
LOVELAND, CO- The Colorado Crush lost a heartbreaker for their final regular season game, and possibly their final franchise game. The Arizona Rattlers struck in overtime to take a 48-44 victory, even after turning the ball over 4 times.
In the final regular season game for these two teams, the 2,600 fans in attendance got their money’s worth. The first quarter went back and forth after a botched snap on a field goal attempt for Colorado, the Rattlers responded with a turnover of their own, a fumble on 2nd down. Colorado proceeded to hit a field goal to get on the board first, 3-0. The Rattlers got the first touchdown from a Darrell Monroe 6 yard touchdown run. Liam Nadler threw a 10 yard touchdown to end the first 10-7.
The second quarter started off quick with the ensuing kickoff returned by Arizona for a touchdown, only to be brought back on a block in the back penalty. It turned out to be no problem for Jamal Miles, who finished a successful drive with a touchdown, giving Arizona a 14-10 lead. Nadler found Lovie Rose for a 25 yard bomb a few plays later, setting up a 2 yard pitch and run by Zavier Steward, giving the Crush the lead once again. The Crush defense couldn’t stop a powerful Arizona drive which led to another 2 yard touchdown run for the Rattlers, 21-17.
Colorado fumbled on their next possession, which turned out to not be a problem as the Crush forced their second turnover of the evening on the next play. After a three and out and field goals from both teams, the half ended 21-20 in favor of Arizona.
The third quarter was a defensive battle, and an uphill one for Colorado, after Arizona scored on their opening drive to increase their lead 31-20. The Crush were able to muster a field goal before their defense bailed them out once again. Aziz Higgins forced a fumble and returned it all the way to the house, and after a two point conversion, the Crush found themselves tied with the best team in the Intense conference after 3 quarters, 31-31.
The fourth quarter started off perfect for the Crush, again forcing a fumble and recovering it. All it took was one 31 yard bomb from Nadler to Lovie Rose and the Crush took the lead 38-31. The Rattlers responded with yet another 2 yard touchdown run from Darron Thomas, tying the game up. The Crush did their best to manage the clock, driving it down to two minutes and kicking the go ahead field goal. Thomas took the game into his own hands, running 17 yards to set up the tying field goal with 16 seconds remaining.
The fans in Colorado got some free football in the season finale. Arizona won the toss and elected to take the ball second, a gamble that turned out the way they wanted it to. The Crush could only muster a field goal, and the defense couldn’t hang on one last time. The Rattlers punched it home for the 47-44 final score.
While it is unknown how the future is going to play out, it is rumored that tonight would be the final game played for this Crush squad, as off the field circumstances arose. Only time will tell what the future will hold for the franchise, and I personally wish the best of luck to all the players, coaches, staff members, and fans who were a part of this organization since 2006.
The Rattlers advance to the postseason, winning the Intense conference. The Crush however, must sit and wait, and hope that this snakebite of a loss, isn’t the final game for the franchise.
ARIZONA:
Darron Thomas 6-7, 76 yds
Jamal Miles 6 att, 51 yds, 1 TD
14 Darrell Monroe 6 att, 37 yds, 2 TD
2 Darron Thomas 11 att, 31 yds, 2 TD
42 Ketrich Harmon 10 rush 25 yds, 1 TD
COLORADO:
Liam Nadler 16-32, 144 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Lovie Rose III 6 rec, 69 yds, 1 TD
88 Kendall Sanders 4 rec, 33 yds, 1 TD