Carolina Phoenix Defeats Detroit Predators
There was a nail biter in Thomasville Saturday night as the Phoenix manage to barely keep their lead defeating the Predators 19-18. Improving their wins to two, keeping their losses at one.
It was a bright and sunny afternoon, good for football and better than the wet weather last week when the Predators of Detroit, 24 strong, kicked off to the Carolina Phoenix. The Phoenix still very light in the roster with only 14 came on strong scoring three minutes and twelve seconds in the first quarter. With the score now 6-0 the Phoenix try to hold the momentum as the Predators try to rally it back their way. Twice the Phoenix stop the Predators deep in their own territory and twice they fought their way back out.
The Phoenix have to punt, shut down by the Predators defense. The Predators fumble, Phoenix recover at the 50 and immediately brings out their air force gaining 40 yards on a pass only to have it brought back by a penalty. The quarterback took matters into her own hands running it right back. 2nd and goal a Phoenix dead ball pushes them back, but it doesn't matter one short pass later and score is 12-0 with six minutes left in the first half.
Predators offense having had enough drove long and hard, scoring a touchdown of their own with 3 minutes left in the half. 12-6 Phoenix. Not to be outdone, the Phoenix complete a pass and run of their own for a 55 yard touchdown. The extra point is good and the Phoenix expand their lead to 19-6 with 1:32 in the first half.
Detroit with some fast breaks hope to put some points up before the half but time was not on their side.
Later, with 3:45 in the third quarter after a long hard and dusty drive the predators ground pounded their way drive after drive scoring their second touchdown of the evening making the score Carolina 19, Detroit 12.
In the fourth quarter the Phoenix short roster took its toll, with a constant flow of fresh players Detroit took the momentum and drove with it. The Predators defense came on hard and fast with four sacks in a row driving the Phoenix offense back easily 40 yards. The Phoenix defense having to work really hard to keep the Predators from advancing.
Two minute warning sounds, the ball is on the 35 yard line, 3rd and 12 for the Predators, huge Predator play makes the score 18-19. A two point conversion is all that is needed to take the lead from the Phoenix and the win it for the Predators.
Friends, I am honestly not sure what I saw through the 2X2 inch family cam view screen, but it was fast, hungry and wearing a Phoenix jersey. The Detroit QB didn't know what was either but it sacked them flat! That right there was the play that sealed the deal for the Carolina Phoenix winning their second game in a row 19 -18, and guaranteeing the rematch in Detroit in two weeks is not to be missed!
