November 17, 10:04 AM
Barcelona was riding high after a quick 2-0 start where they outscored opponents by a ridiculously large margin. They knew they were in for a battle in Athens and that is exactly what they got. Starting QB Ryan Rouse who was leading the Zeta Conference in TD passes coming into the game said of the Athens Gods, "We know this one won't be a blow out, although we FULLY expect to win this one. We know that when we play to our full potential, no team can come within two touchdowns of us no matter if we're in Urban Legend Memorial Stadium, on the road, on a neutral site, on the moon, wherever. This is my first year here and apparently we've had some troubles with this team in the past. I look forward to being part of the team that exorcises those demons."
The game got on the way and on the first Chupacabra drive, Barcelona had a critical decision from the 1 yard line and 4th and inches to go. Coach Cowboys has always been a believer in putting points on the board so he took the field goal to give Barcelona an early 3-0 lead. The offense was visibly upset on the sidelines and running back Flozell Spears had this to say, "I ALWAYS respect coach's decisions. And I will never question him. I just think the day I can't get half a damn yard for 6 is the day I retire."
The next drive the Chupacabras were faced with a similar decision and once again the elected to kick the Field Goal as kicker Ross Gates kicked it through the uprights from 46 yards out. This would be a theme. However, Athens showed why settling for FG's can get you in trouble as with 12:20 to go in the 2nd quarter, they scored on a 25 yard pass to leave the Chupacabras trailing for the first time all season, regular or pre-season. They would add on another Field goal to take a 10-6 lead on Barcelona at half time.
Coach Cowboys when asked about his thoughts on the game at the half responded, "Of course we're not <expletive> happy. We know these guys always give us their all but we're better than them and we shouldn't be losing this game. And we're not going to. Whatever we have to do, we're going to find a way to win this game. Period!"
With the 3rd quarter nearing an end, Athens added another FG to extend their lead to 13-6. The Barcelona fans that had made the trip were visibly upset and many were calling for Rouse to air it out and to play some fun and gun. They got their wish on 3rd and 10 when Rouse lofted one up to Ping Pong for 27 yards to get them in FG Range. Then El Stankardo took off running breaking 6 tackles en route to a 17 yard run setting up his touchdown plunge to tie the game 13-13.
The 4th quarter got under way and Ryan Rouse showed why he's the best QB in the league as he lead the offense down the field with 3 passes of over 15 yards before El Stankardo again found paydirt to put Barcelona back on top 20-13. A key moment in the game took place on the next drive of Athens. With 7:13 to go the ball was poked loose and was on the ground up for grabs. Barcelona claimed they recovered the ball but the refs gave it back to Athens instead. The play was reviewed and no conclusive evidence could overturn the call. Athens would go on to nail a 52 yard field goal to make the score 20-16 late in the game.
The defense needed to come up big for Barcelona but methodically Athens drove it down and scored a touchdown with 45 seconds left to give the Gods a 23-20 lead with almost no time left. The key word being almost. Fan Ron Ricardo was nervous but confident, "They left us too much time. Ryan Rouse is too good. You can't leave him time because he will kill you. And he's going to right now. You watch, he's going to come up big!"
Ricardo's words ended up being prophetic as Rouse took over at his own 35. Rouse completed a 6 yarder to Post-Glom and then a 20 yard pass to Shoes McGee in TRIPLE COVERAGE! Rouse's next pass got Barcelona into Ross Gate's range as he threw 9 yards to Shoes McGee again as Coach Cowboys called his final timeout. Gates lined up and drilled a 48 yard Field Goal to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Rouse's Rockers that made the trip to Athens said, "Ross Gates may be named MVP of this game but Rouse is the reason we're going to win this game. Not only is he great but he's clutch. Any time we need a first down or a touchdown he comes through. He's turning into the European Tom Brady!"
In overtime, Barcelona won the coin toss and of course received. Rouse would take over at the 20 yard line. On the first play he found Tight End Billy Stinson across the middle for 14 yards. Gent ran for 8 and then Rouse hit Stinson again for 19 yards and the Chupacabras could taste victory. After 2 rushes by Gent and Spears that combined for 7 yards. Ross Gates hit a 33 yard field goal and the demons were exorcised. "It feels so good to be able to be a hero. With so many great components to this offense, I rarely get called upon to step up and I wanted to take the most of my opportunity. I think I was able to do that," Gates said obviously ecstatic.
In his post-game press conference, Coach Cowboys was excited but still looking to improve, "You know, we're 3-0 and just beat our biggest rival on the road but we're still NOWHERE near as good as we can be. We're going to look at the tape. I got a lot of feedback about those 4th and inches calls where we kicked the field goals. Fans of ours know that we've been burned badly on those before but we've never had the personnel we do now. I think we're going to see what we can put in to make our offense as efficient as possible. Either way this was a huge win against a GREAT, not good, great team and I couldn't be happier we came out on top."
Barcelona's next game will be a laugher and will get ugly early against the Macedonian Phalanx. Fans will be coming to the game to party more than expect an actual football game. Barcelona sits undefeated and on the brink of a very special season. Next game November 18, 10:00 AM EST. Macedonian Phalanx (0-3) at Barcelona Chupacabras (3-0).
Barcelona was riding high after a quick 2-0 start where they outscored opponents by a ridiculously large margin. They knew they were in for a battle in Athens and that is exactly what they got. Starting QB Ryan Rouse who was leading the Zeta Conference in TD passes coming into the game said of the Athens Gods, "We know this one won't be a blow out, although we FULLY expect to win this one. We know that when we play to our full potential, no team can come within two touchdowns of us no matter if we're in Urban Legend Memorial Stadium, on the road, on a neutral site, on the moon, wherever. This is my first year here and apparently we've had some troubles with this team in the past. I look forward to being part of the team that exorcises those demons."
The game got on the way and on the first Chupacabra drive, Barcelona had a critical decision from the 1 yard line and 4th and inches to go. Coach Cowboys has always been a believer in putting points on the board so he took the field goal to give Barcelona an early 3-0 lead. The offense was visibly upset on the sidelines and running back Flozell Spears had this to say, "I ALWAYS respect coach's decisions. And I will never question him. I just think the day I can't get half a damn yard for 6 is the day I retire."
The next drive the Chupacabras were faced with a similar decision and once again the elected to kick the Field Goal as kicker Ross Gates kicked it through the uprights from 46 yards out. This would be a theme. However, Athens showed why settling for FG's can get you in trouble as with 12:20 to go in the 2nd quarter, they scored on a 25 yard pass to leave the Chupacabras trailing for the first time all season, regular or pre-season. They would add on another Field goal to take a 10-6 lead on Barcelona at half time.
Coach Cowboys when asked about his thoughts on the game at the half responded, "Of course we're not <expletive> happy. We know these guys always give us their all but we're better than them and we shouldn't be losing this game. And we're not going to. Whatever we have to do, we're going to find a way to win this game. Period!"
With the 3rd quarter nearing an end, Athens added another FG to extend their lead to 13-6. The Barcelona fans that had made the trip were visibly upset and many were calling for Rouse to air it out and to play some fun and gun. They got their wish on 3rd and 10 when Rouse lofted one up to Ping Pong for 27 yards to get them in FG Range. Then El Stankardo took off running breaking 6 tackles en route to a 17 yard run setting up his touchdown plunge to tie the game 13-13.
The 4th quarter got under way and Ryan Rouse showed why he's the best QB in the league as he lead the offense down the field with 3 passes of over 15 yards before El Stankardo again found paydirt to put Barcelona back on top 20-13. A key moment in the game took place on the next drive of Athens. With 7:13 to go the ball was poked loose and was on the ground up for grabs. Barcelona claimed they recovered the ball but the refs gave it back to Athens instead. The play was reviewed and no conclusive evidence could overturn the call. Athens would go on to nail a 52 yard field goal to make the score 20-16 late in the game.
The defense needed to come up big for Barcelona but methodically Athens drove it down and scored a touchdown with 45 seconds left to give the Gods a 23-20 lead with almost no time left. The key word being almost. Fan Ron Ricardo was nervous but confident, "They left us too much time. Ryan Rouse is too good. You can't leave him time because he will kill you. And he's going to right now. You watch, he's going to come up big!"
Ricardo's words ended up being prophetic as Rouse took over at his own 35. Rouse completed a 6 yarder to Post-Glom and then a 20 yard pass to Shoes McGee in TRIPLE COVERAGE! Rouse's next pass got Barcelona into Ross Gate's range as he threw 9 yards to Shoes McGee again as Coach Cowboys called his final timeout. Gates lined up and drilled a 48 yard Field Goal to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Rouse's Rockers that made the trip to Athens said, "Ross Gates may be named MVP of this game but Rouse is the reason we're going to win this game. Not only is he great but he's clutch. Any time we need a first down or a touchdown he comes through. He's turning into the European Tom Brady!"
In overtime, Barcelona won the coin toss and of course received. Rouse would take over at the 20 yard line. On the first play he found Tight End Billy Stinson across the middle for 14 yards. Gent ran for 8 and then Rouse hit Stinson again for 19 yards and the Chupacabras could taste victory. After 2 rushes by Gent and Spears that combined for 7 yards. Ross Gates hit a 33 yard field goal and the demons were exorcised. "It feels so good to be able to be a hero. With so many great components to this offense, I rarely get called upon to step up and I wanted to take the most of my opportunity. I think I was able to do that," Gates said obviously ecstatic.
In his post-game press conference, Coach Cowboys was excited but still looking to improve, "You know, we're 3-0 and just beat our biggest rival on the road but we're still NOWHERE near as good as we can be. We're going to look at the tape. I got a lot of feedback about those 4th and inches calls where we kicked the field goals. Fans of ours know that we've been burned badly on those before but we've never had the personnel we do now. I think we're going to see what we can put in to make our offense as efficient as possible. Either way this was a huge win against a GREAT, not good, great team and I couldn't be happier we came out on top."
Barcelona's next game will be a laugher and will get ugly early against the Macedonian Phalanx. Fans will be coming to the game to party more than expect an actual football game. Barcelona sits undefeated and on the brink of a very special season. Next game November 18, 10:00 AM EST. Macedonian Phalanx (0-3) at Barcelona Chupacabras (3-0).
