Blast Derail Roadwarriors

Memphis,Tennessee-On Saturday, June 25, The Memphis Blast Pro Development Football Team hosted a game led by star quarterback and 2021 team MVP QB Chakel Gates.

The #7 Nationally ranked Memphis Blast(2-0) played an almost flawless game to shut out their nemesis and rival the Mississippi RoadWarriors team 22-0 in Saturday night action at East High Field.

“Our players did a tremendous job and handling some adversity and we see nothing but good things coming our way. There are going to be setbacks we have a lot of rookies, but we have to keep working together. As long as our players stick together, we have a real opportunity to be a great football team. We have a very talented group of young men and it’s going to be a pretty special season. It’s great to see the excitement in them,” said Asst. Head Coach Christopher Lewis.

In the 1st quarter, the Blast scored a touchdown on a 20 yard scamper by quarterback Chakel Gates. The Blast went for 2 points and converted on a 2yard run by rookie RB to Amari Armstrong.

The Blast  took an 8 – 0 lead.

In the Second quarter, the defense made a big stop on 3rd down, when Rod Hand sacked Mississippi’s quarterback deep in Memphis territory forcing a punt on 4th down.

Blast 2019 MVP Markerion Johnson fielded the punt and took it 47 yards to pay dirt for a Memphis Blast touchdown! Tyrique Gunn runs it in for the 2 point conversion.

The Blast now lead 16-0 going into the Half.

In the third quarter, the Blast defense turned up the pressure and # 17 LB Terrance Ingram sacked the quarterback. The Blast got the ball back, but turned it over on an interception when back-up QB Chevy Spann forced a pass into the end zone, which kills a scoring opportunity for Memphis.

After the interception, penalties and great tackling by the Blast backed the Roadwarriors up. A big tackle by #44 DE Malik Hubbard on 3rd down, stopped Mississippi from getting a first down, Rod Hand then got his 2nd quarterback sack on 4th down to force a turnover on downs. 

The Blast completed a 30 yard pass to rookie receiver DaTarius Paige but even though he looked to be down by contact the play was called a fumble and awarded to the Road Warriors. 

Both teams got a little sloppy and turned the ball over. One fumble by Roadwarriors star player Robert Fields was recovered by Rookie DB Brandon Thomas.

The 4th quarter started and the Blast scored on the first play when DL Malik Hubbard ran in a pick 6 as Road Warriors QB tried to escape the pocket and toss the the football up for grabs for a touchdown. The Blast lead 22 – 0.

When Roadwarriors got the ball back, the defense went back to work. Malik Hubbard had a tackle for loss and William Johnson broke up a pass and Road Warriors had to punt. 

The Blast close the game out and get there first victory over the Mississippi RoadWarriors since the border rivalry came into existence.