Blast Stun Rockets with Comeback Victory

The Memphis Blast took a 16-14 lead after QB Martavious Hayslett runs it in for a game winning TD.

Memphis, Tennessee-The Blast were playing for the chance to take control of 1st place down South and stay on track for their postseason hopes to remain alive. The Huntsville Rockets were playing to keep pace in the Southern division and trying to regain their momentum from last season after competing in Xtreme Conference Championship only to come up short against the Syracuse Strong. It was a defensive battle from start to finish and in this case, the age-old adage proved true yet again: defense wins (or helps you get to) championships.

The Rockets jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first half after two head scratching touchdowns, scoring on what appeared to be an illegal forward pass after the Rockets quarterback appeared to be clearly across the line of scrimmage. On their second Touchdown Memphis Blast running back Ralo Iran Bickham forward progress was stopped and Rockets defender ripped the Ball from his hands and scored on an 80 yard defensive touchdown the Blast coaching staff were furious an felt a whistle should have been blown that should have ended the play. 

In the second half the Blast would regain their footing as RB John Booker would take a handoff and blast 50 yards through the Rockets defense for a Blast touchdown, 2pt conversion good making the score Huntsville 14 Blast 8 early in the 3rd quarter. Both defenses where playing lights out, most notable was Memphis Blast Defensive End Wayne Newsom who would record a game high of 6 sacks and would make him the game defensive MVP. 

The Blast would get a gift from the Rockets on special teams late in the 3rd quarter as the Blast defense stood tall once again forcing the Rockets to punt inside their own 10 the Rockets long snapper sailed the ball over the punter’s head to the back of the end zone giving the Blast a safety for 2pts. Huntsville Rockets 14 Blast 10. 

In the 4th quarter the battle between both defensive teams would continue to rage back and forth as the Huntsville Rockets where fighting for dear life to keep the lead. The Memphis Blast where fighting to stay within striking distance. With under two minutes to play, the Blast offense came alive as Hayslett found WR Cameron Dean in the middle of the field for a 46 yard reception placing ball inside the 30 giving the Blast life. John Booker would get a few touches moving the ball closer to the goaline.

That’s when Quarterback Martavious Hayslett took over and looked like Lamar Jackson at times and finally breaking the goaline from the 4yardline with 49 seconds remaining giving the Blast the victory16-14 Final. 

The Blast move to 2-1 and will be off this weekend for the leagues Fourth of July BYE and will be back in action on July 8th when they travel to Paris,Tennessee to take on the 2-1 Clarksville Outlaws. Huntsville Rockets 1-2 will host the Georgia Brigade 1-3