IWFL Phoenix VS Thunder
After helping with the fencing tournament on Saturday, I had to leave early to go do my other thing, being a part time shooter and full time fan for the Carolina Phoenix. This was the Phoenix's first home game in Durham Stadium. It was also their first game in their own spiffy new black uniforms, and with a full roster of players.
I arrived to find a tailgate party already in progress. This warmed the cockles of my heart. You've made it as a spectator sport when you attract tailgaters. By game time there were about two hundred in the stands, some of them even brought more cowbell. I got in, got checked in, was issued my volunteer badge and was looking for the video camera I was going to be shooting with when it was revealed that no video camera had been arranged. That just meant that I could attempt to take better notes and practice my still camera work. The reality was that I just took, more notes, not better notes and one shouldn't attempt to take still photos and copious notes at the same time. Both suffered for it.
But enough about me. Lets talk football!
The game had two halves and the Carolina Phoenix owned the first one. The Phoenix received from the Thunder and scored on the first possession with 9:42 in the first quarter on a 13 yard pass. In fact in the first half the Phoenix had no turn overs and scored on every possession.
Here's a highlight: Thunder has possession and has to punt (The Thunder failed to make a single first down in the entire first half), 13:22 in the 2nd quarter the wind catches the punt and takes it high but not far. The ball falls pretty flat and doesn't bounce much. I watch the Phoenix player who is standing in front of it (it fell at her feet) pause, shrug, pick up the ball and run it for a 70 yard touch down. For those who believe in magic, there must have been a spell cast against the Thunder. As soon as the ball was picked up two of the thunder fell over backwards. At about the 50 yard line two more thunder were in terrific position to make the stop but just before they got into striking distance they both tripped over their own feet and fell over backwards at the same time. From there it was clear sailing for the Phoenix.
By the end of the first half the Phoenix lead 34 to nothing.
The Thunder's first half was marked by failure and drama, while the Phoenix played like business as usual. I don't know what happened in the Thunder locker room during the half time but a different and much better team emerged to play the second half.
The Thunder managed two first downs and kept the Phoenix from scoring again until 6:06 in the 4th when the Phoenix ran for a 42 yard touchdown.
Final score Phoenix 40 Thunder 0.
And that's what four pages of notes got me. I know you don't care about each play and I have no idea who did what on any play so there you go.
Now for the pictures. Most in focus, none worthy of publication. I'll put up two so you don't think I'm being modest.
