Fifth seed Thunder Shutout Rival, Aim For League History

The Oklahoma Thunder avenged two regular-season losses to chief rival and second seeded Oklahoma City Outlaws, winning by a score of 20-0.  The win propels the Thunder into the GDFL playoff final, where they will contend for their third-straight league title.
The Thunder struck first during the contest, with QB Brandon Noohi throwing a 71-yard touchdown pass to standout WR Prentiss Elliott.  That score occurred on the Thunder’s first offensive possession and set the tone for an excellent offensive performance against one of the GDFL’s top-rated defenses.  Running back Derrick Hunt added two second-half touchdown runs (12 and 34 yards, respectively) to ice the game.  In all, the team nearly doubled the Outlaws in total yardage 294-158, while averaging 4.1 yards per carry on the ground.
The Thunder defense also dominated throughout the contest, resulting in the Outlaws’ first ever shutout.  The Outlaws had a chance to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter after a Thunder turnover led to first and goal inside the Thunder 10.  After three straight unsuccessful scoring attempts, Brentam Todd blocked an ensuing Outlaws field goal attempt and Prentiss Elliott returned the blocked kick to the Thunder 29, effectively ending any scoring threat.  Standout DJ Wolfe also came away with two key interceptions, while veteran linebacker BJ Hodshire led the team with 5 tackles and one sack.  "I believe we have the best defense in the nation", Defensive coordinator Morgan Clements described of his unit's performance.  "We're a very aggressive unit.  Our team is very scary when we play with that Thunder swagger."

With the win, the Thunder claim the GDFL’s Impact Conference championship and earn the opportunity to become the GDFL’s first ‘three-peat’ national champion.  They will face off against the Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs – another first-year team and GDFL Xtreme Conference champion.  For more information on the championship, go to www.gdfl.org or follow Oklahoma Thunder Football Team on Facebook.