ESL had been one of the better teams in their conference for two straight seasons, and despite the relatively close score in our regular season match-up, they shut down our offense and moved the ball consistently against the defense. The rematch would undoubtedly see drastically different gameplans, but would it actually flip the script or finish with the same disappointing result?
3rd & 10 on the game's first possession, Providence desperately needed to set the tone by getting a first down instead of a three and out. Success! http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17039102
On the very next play ESL brought a tremendous rush, and with the defensive tackle right in his face, Moreno threw a strike to Laser Mouse. Not content with just the first down, Mouse faked the corner out of his jock, and with no safety help due to the blitz, he was off to the races. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17039287
A quick score early in the game can rattle some teams, but the Tire Fires are veterans and looked determined to answer with a touchdown of their own. After driving into Radicals territory, the defense managed to stand firm on 3rd & 4, holding them to a field goal. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17040729
Providence then set out to extend their lead, and on 3rd & 7 near midfield, Loot found Bruce Dugan for a key 19 yard gain. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17041358 After a nice gain to the outside by Berry Senders ( http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17041455 ), Jimmy Noodles finished off the drive with an incredible run on 4th & 2 from the 14 yard line. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17041663
The ensuing possession saw ESL storm back with a vengeance, highlighted by a tremendous run by Roc Hardwell. Sackin Ain't Easy sped into the backfield so fast that he almost took the handoff, but a good block by the fullback allowed Hardwell to get the edge and break three tackles on the way to a 24 yard gain. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042115 The Tire Fires then finished off the drive with a 9 yard touchdown pass to Jerry 'Screw Ray' Johnson, bringing the margin back down to 4 points. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042148
The third drive for Providence ended quickly on a sack by Solomon Grundy, but most of the credit should go to the outstanding coverage which forced Moreno to hold the ball too long. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042323
That looked like it might be the spark ESL needed, but the Radicals defense proved determined to protect the lead. One of the best all-around DEs in the game, Jules Poopers showed why he is such a threat against the run by blasting into the backfield for a three yard loss. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042573 That loss on first down forced a pass on third down, but Seth Pride read the quarterback's eyes and was unphased by the receiver's catch fake, pulling down the interception for the first turnover of the game. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042694
Three plays later, a pump fake by Moreno allowed Bobby Chedda to get behind the defense, and despite an underthrown ball, Chedda managed to turn on the jets and reach the endzone untouched. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042861
ESL then drove back into Providence territory and looked poised to narrow the score, but Jules Poopers had other ideas. A sack on first down ( http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17043271 ) preceded another on third down to force the game's first punt. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17043360
Following a three and out from the Radicals, the Tire Fires again drove deep into Providence territory, reaching the seven yard line. It looked like Jay "Bombs Away" Cutler had an open man in the end zone, but he panicked under pressure, pulling the ball down and allowing Frankie Fazool to come up with the clutch sack. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17043951 Clutch McBallstriker hit a 29 yard field goal attempt to make the score 21 to 13, but that definitely looked like a missed opportunity for seven points.
That frustration only grew when Providence responded with a bruising run after the catch by Bruce Dugan, taking the ball into East St. Louis territory. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17044219 On the very next play ESL brought a blitz out of the 4-4 formation, a decision that proved costly once a pump fake allowed Dewford Cox to get by his man. The speedy tight end then raced downfield, spinning away from the last defender before scoring. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17044279
Each team then had an unsuccessful possession, giving the Tires Fires another chance with ninety-seven seconds left in the half. Cutler promptly moved the team downfield with a series of surgical strikes through fairly tight coverage, getting the ball down to Providence's 12 yard line with fourty-seven seconds to go. Spread across the field in a five wide formation, ESL looked poised to score. Seeing the formation, Providence came with a strong safety blitz that had Cutler on his heels. Taking a chance, Jay launched the ball towards the end zone, but Seth Pride once again stepped in front and made one of the game's biggest plays. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17044965 That interception meant that the score remained 28 to 13 heading into half-time.
Receiving the kickoff to start the second half, the Tire Fires undoubtedly planned on making up for those missed opportunities with a quick score, but unfortunately for them the offense's struggles would continue. The very first play of the third quarter saw Lone Wolf and Cub force a ball into coverage for an easy interception by Lee Savage. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17045271 Despite the enormous blow those successive turnovers must have been to the team's morale, the ESL defense rose to the challenge and held Providence to only a field goal.
Now down by eighteen points, East St. Louis looked like they were nearing the end of their rope despite the amount of time left on the clock. For a moment it looked like their luck was about to change, as Danny West managed to get behind the Radicals' secondary, but an underthrown pass by Cutler put the ball squarely in the hands of Johnny Gabaghoul. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17045693 Two plays later their misery was compounded by a long touchdown from Bobby Chedda, whose devastating spin move enabled him to finish off a 71 yard score. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17045857
A twenty-five point deficit seemed almost insurmountable, but ESL was one of the most prolific offenses in the World League this season, and would not go quietly into the night. While Cutler was on the sidelines receiving a stern tongue-lashing from the coach and some smacks to the head by disgruntled teammates, Lone Wolf and Cub took advantage of the opportunity by pump faking the Providence secondary, leaving Speedy Gonzalis absolutely wide open for a 64 yard strike. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17046860
The Radicals responded with a methodical nine play drive that reaching the Tire Fires' five yard line, but a third down pass to the back of the end zone was denied, resulting in only a field goal. On second down of the ensuing possession, Cutler followed Cub's lead and used a pump fake to get Jerry 'Screw Ray' Johnson behind the defense for a 61 yard score. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17046860
Unphased by the ESL onslaught, Providence dashed off one long run followed by a long completion, then capped off the drive with a 58 yard pass. Bobby Chedda had created separation with a catch fake, then eluded the defender covering him. He still might not have scored if not for a tremendous effort from Danny Carey, who raced downfield to block the strong safety just as he was about to make a touchdown-saving tackle. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17047078
The improbable quick strikes weren't over, however, and woe to any spectator who had gone to the bathroom during this stretch. On the first play following the kickoff, Lone Wolf and Cub pump faked the Radicals yet again, this time allowing Abram Booty to get free for his seventh catch of the game. 63 yards later, the deficit was back down to fourteen. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17047275
Five successive punts gave the assembled audience a much needed breather. Providence went to a largely unsuccessful ground game in an attempt to bleed the clock, while East St. Louis consistently moved the ball downfield only to stall just beyond field goal range. With 6:37 left in the contest, the parade of points had slackened into a tense stalemate. The Radicals' inability to sustain drives had shifted field position, however, and the Tire Fires began their next drive at their own 42. Several intermediate passes moved them down to the Providence 25, but the defense held firm and forced ESL into a failed fourth down attempt that looked like it might seal their fate. Fate is a fickle mistress, though, and a back who had only suffered two fumbles all season long suddenly coughed it up to give the Tire Fires new life.
A long completion to Danny West and six yard gain by Roc Hardwell set them up for 2nd & goal from the four yard line. Providence's run defense had been stout throughout the game, and lived up to their billing again as Hardwell was stopped after two yards. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048646 The Tire Fires stuck with the ground game on third down, but were stymied once again thanks to a nice tackle from Fart Donovan. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048665 Faced with fourth and goal from the one, there really was no choice with so little time on the clock. ESL would go for it, the only question was whether they would try to run once again or go back to their more successful passing game. The offensive coordinator did stick with the run, but caught the Radicals off-guard by going with a fullback dive which Horrid Henry converted to bring the score within seven. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048685
The Radicals' kickoff returner, Phantasm Sphere, gave his team some much needed breathing room with a 45 yard scamper that was just one missed tackle away from scoring. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048755 Providence then managed a rare rushing first down, but quickly faced fourth down with 1:51 to go after exhausting ESL's three timeouts. That put the Tire Fires at their own five yard line, and with no hope of winning unless they converted this final drive.
ESL once again spread the field with five wide receivers, but this time Cutler was able to find Hunter Helmsley for a 14 yard gain despite good coverage from Cú ChuIainn. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048895 A spike and a deflection later, Cutler connected with Prom King Chmura for another 13 yards. The previous pattern continued with another spike and deflection before Cutler lofted a pass just beyond the reach of Lawrence Fingers for a 21 yard completion to Marcus Booker. Now at the Providence forty-seven yard line, Cutler tried another pass in Booker's direction. This time free safety Lee Savage managed to get his fingers on the ball, but Booker adjusted to the deflection and still managed to pull down the pass.
As the Tire Fires hurried to the line, they had only a scant ten seconds left to finish off their comeback and push the game into overtime, needing only twenty-three more yards to do so. Cutler received the snap as the Radicals dropped eight men into coverage, but Johnson used a catch fake to shake his defender while Gonzalis raced by his man on the far side of the field. It looked like the Tire Fires had a perfect opportunity for last second heroics, but just as Cutler started to throw, Jules Poopers shed the right tackle and lunged into him, knocking the ball to the turf. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17049110 Although ESL recovered the fumble, the damage was done and the clock read zero. By the very slimmest of margins, the Providence Radicals had pulled off the upset and secured their first World League playoff victory.
3rd & 10 on the game's first possession, Providence desperately needed to set the tone by getting a first down instead of a three and out. Success! http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17039102
On the very next play ESL brought a tremendous rush, and with the defensive tackle right in his face, Moreno threw a strike to Laser Mouse. Not content with just the first down, Mouse faked the corner out of his jock, and with no safety help due to the blitz, he was off to the races. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17039287
A quick score early in the game can rattle some teams, but the Tire Fires are veterans and looked determined to answer with a touchdown of their own. After driving into Radicals territory, the defense managed to stand firm on 3rd & 4, holding them to a field goal. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17040729
Providence then set out to extend their lead, and on 3rd & 7 near midfield, Loot found Bruce Dugan for a key 19 yard gain. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17041358 After a nice gain to the outside by Berry Senders ( http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17041455 ), Jimmy Noodles finished off the drive with an incredible run on 4th & 2 from the 14 yard line. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17041663
The ensuing possession saw ESL storm back with a vengeance, highlighted by a tremendous run by Roc Hardwell. Sackin Ain't Easy sped into the backfield so fast that he almost took the handoff, but a good block by the fullback allowed Hardwell to get the edge and break three tackles on the way to a 24 yard gain. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042115 The Tire Fires then finished off the drive with a 9 yard touchdown pass to Jerry 'Screw Ray' Johnson, bringing the margin back down to 4 points. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042148
The third drive for Providence ended quickly on a sack by Solomon Grundy, but most of the credit should go to the outstanding coverage which forced Moreno to hold the ball too long. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042323
That looked like it might be the spark ESL needed, but the Radicals defense proved determined to protect the lead. One of the best all-around DEs in the game, Jules Poopers showed why he is such a threat against the run by blasting into the backfield for a three yard loss. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042573 That loss on first down forced a pass on third down, but Seth Pride read the quarterback's eyes and was unphased by the receiver's catch fake, pulling down the interception for the first turnover of the game. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042694
Three plays later, a pump fake by Moreno allowed Bobby Chedda to get behind the defense, and despite an underthrown ball, Chedda managed to turn on the jets and reach the endzone untouched. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17042861
ESL then drove back into Providence territory and looked poised to narrow the score, but Jules Poopers had other ideas. A sack on first down ( http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17043271 ) preceded another on third down to force the game's first punt. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17043360
Following a three and out from the Radicals, the Tire Fires again drove deep into Providence territory, reaching the seven yard line. It looked like Jay "Bombs Away" Cutler had an open man in the end zone, but he panicked under pressure, pulling the ball down and allowing Frankie Fazool to come up with the clutch sack. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17043951 Clutch McBallstriker hit a 29 yard field goal attempt to make the score 21 to 13, but that definitely looked like a missed opportunity for seven points.
That frustration only grew when Providence responded with a bruising run after the catch by Bruce Dugan, taking the ball into East St. Louis territory. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17044219 On the very next play ESL brought a blitz out of the 4-4 formation, a decision that proved costly once a pump fake allowed Dewford Cox to get by his man. The speedy tight end then raced downfield, spinning away from the last defender before scoring. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17044279
Each team then had an unsuccessful possession, giving the Tires Fires another chance with ninety-seven seconds left in the half. Cutler promptly moved the team downfield with a series of surgical strikes through fairly tight coverage, getting the ball down to Providence's 12 yard line with fourty-seven seconds to go. Spread across the field in a five wide formation, ESL looked poised to score. Seeing the formation, Providence came with a strong safety blitz that had Cutler on his heels. Taking a chance, Jay launched the ball towards the end zone, but Seth Pride once again stepped in front and made one of the game's biggest plays. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17044965 That interception meant that the score remained 28 to 13 heading into half-time.
Receiving the kickoff to start the second half, the Tire Fires undoubtedly planned on making up for those missed opportunities with a quick score, but unfortunately for them the offense's struggles would continue. The very first play of the third quarter saw Lone Wolf and Cub force a ball into coverage for an easy interception by Lee Savage. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17045271 Despite the enormous blow those successive turnovers must have been to the team's morale, the ESL defense rose to the challenge and held Providence to only a field goal.
Now down by eighteen points, East St. Louis looked like they were nearing the end of their rope despite the amount of time left on the clock. For a moment it looked like their luck was about to change, as Danny West managed to get behind the Radicals' secondary, but an underthrown pass by Cutler put the ball squarely in the hands of Johnny Gabaghoul. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17045693 Two plays later their misery was compounded by a long touchdown from Bobby Chedda, whose devastating spin move enabled him to finish off a 71 yard score. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17045857
A twenty-five point deficit seemed almost insurmountable, but ESL was one of the most prolific offenses in the World League this season, and would not go quietly into the night. While Cutler was on the sidelines receiving a stern tongue-lashing from the coach and some smacks to the head by disgruntled teammates, Lone Wolf and Cub took advantage of the opportunity by pump faking the Providence secondary, leaving Speedy Gonzalis absolutely wide open for a 64 yard strike. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17046860
The Radicals responded with a methodical nine play drive that reaching the Tire Fires' five yard line, but a third down pass to the back of the end zone was denied, resulting in only a field goal. On second down of the ensuing possession, Cutler followed Cub's lead and used a pump fake to get Jerry 'Screw Ray' Johnson behind the defense for a 61 yard score. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17046860
Unphased by the ESL onslaught, Providence dashed off one long run followed by a long completion, then capped off the drive with a 58 yard pass. Bobby Chedda had created separation with a catch fake, then eluded the defender covering him. He still might not have scored if not for a tremendous effort from Danny Carey, who raced downfield to block the strong safety just as he was about to make a touchdown-saving tackle. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17047078
The improbable quick strikes weren't over, however, and woe to any spectator who had gone to the bathroom during this stretch. On the first play following the kickoff, Lone Wolf and Cub pump faked the Radicals yet again, this time allowing Abram Booty to get free for his seventh catch of the game. 63 yards later, the deficit was back down to fourteen. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17047275
Five successive punts gave the assembled audience a much needed breather. Providence went to a largely unsuccessful ground game in an attempt to bleed the clock, while East St. Louis consistently moved the ball downfield only to stall just beyond field goal range. With 6:37 left in the contest, the parade of points had slackened into a tense stalemate. The Radicals' inability to sustain drives had shifted field position, however, and the Tire Fires began their next drive at their own 42. Several intermediate passes moved them down to the Providence 25, but the defense held firm and forced ESL into a failed fourth down attempt that looked like it might seal their fate. Fate is a fickle mistress, though, and a back who had only suffered two fumbles all season long suddenly coughed it up to give the Tire Fires new life.
A long completion to Danny West and six yard gain by Roc Hardwell set them up for 2nd & goal from the four yard line. Providence's run defense had been stout throughout the game, and lived up to their billing again as Hardwell was stopped after two yards. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048646 The Tire Fires stuck with the ground game on third down, but were stymied once again thanks to a nice tackle from Fart Donovan. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048665 Faced with fourth and goal from the one, there really was no choice with so little time on the clock. ESL would go for it, the only question was whether they would try to run once again or go back to their more successful passing game. The offensive coordinator did stick with the run, but caught the Radicals off-guard by going with a fullback dive which Horrid Henry converted to bring the score within seven. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048685
The Radicals' kickoff returner, Phantasm Sphere, gave his team some much needed breathing room with a 45 yard scamper that was just one missed tackle away from scoring. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048755 Providence then managed a rare rushing first down, but quickly faced fourth down with 1:51 to go after exhausting ESL's three timeouts. That put the Tire Fires at their own five yard line, and with no hope of winning unless they converted this final drive.
ESL once again spread the field with five wide receivers, but this time Cutler was able to find Hunter Helmsley for a 14 yard gain despite good coverage from Cú ChuIainn. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17048895 A spike and a deflection later, Cutler connected with Prom King Chmura for another 13 yards. The previous pattern continued with another spike and deflection before Cutler lofted a pass just beyond the reach of Lawrence Fingers for a 21 yard completion to Marcus Booker. Now at the Providence forty-seven yard line, Cutler tried another pass in Booker's direction. This time free safety Lee Savage managed to get his fingers on the ball, but Booker adjusted to the deflection and still managed to pull down the pass.
As the Tire Fires hurried to the line, they had only a scant ten seconds left to finish off their comeback and push the game into overtime, needing only twenty-three more yards to do so. Cutler received the snap as the Radicals dropped eight men into coverage, but Johnson used a catch fake to shake his defender while Gonzalis raced by his man on the far side of the field. It looked like the Tire Fires had a perfect opportunity for last second heroics, but just as Cutler started to throw, Jules Poopers shed the right tackle and lunged into him, knocking the ball to the turf. http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?game_id=1187783&pbp_id=17049110 Although ESL recovered the fumble, the damage was done and the clock read zero. By the very slimmest of margins, the Providence Radicals had pulled off the upset and secured their first World League playoff victory.
