Rockets Out Weather the Blast

Memphis, TN –  Cities around the GDFL were beat up pretty bad by Mother Nature last Saturday. 

As many as three games had to be rescheduled due to inclement weather or poor field conditions due to the rain.  Those games include the Arkansas Nightmare vs. Crescent City Kings; Lee County TiCats vs. Tri-City Outlaws and the St. Louis Bulldogs vs. Nashville Storm. 

Times and Dates are TBA.

Despite the delays, rescheduling and most of all RAIN, Week 2 of the GDFL saw the Memphis Blast host the Huntsville Rockets in Memphis.  The Rockets won the toss but deferred to the second half, which allowed Memphis to start the game on Offense after a short kickoff return by Antonio Davis. 

The drive started off with a series of runs before an incomplete pass from starting QB Jazsy Parker forced a punt.

The Rockets started their first drive with good field position after returning the punt near midfield.  Huntsville offense started off shaky with a botched handoff to Justin Niemeyer the starting quarterback and they were forced to punt after a three and out.

Both offenses started the game looking as bad as the weather as neither was able to move the ball.  I have to say the issues were more about the dominance of both defenses.

The Rockets were the first on the board with a touchdown pass from QB #8 Niemeyer to #12 Darrell Paige on a 3 yard TD pass.  After the score the Blast received great field position off a kickoff return by Alonzo Lomax but the offense was not able to capitalize due to the end of the half.

Most of the third was a continued chess match between both defenses, including a pivotal interception that was made by Blast cornerback #9  Markquie Reed that was overturned by the officials. 

The Rockets scored again after a few false starts by the defense on a 6 yard pass from Niemeyer to # 4 Montarious Smith.  And the Blast defended the two point conversion.

Memphis coaches changed quarterbacks twice in the fourth quarter alone.  The first to enter the game was Nathan Hawkins before the blast found their rhythm with Timothy Graham and quickly found their way into the end zone after a few deep passes and a hand off to none other than Xavier (XO) Jones for a 10 yard touchdown run.  A two point conversion added by Jay Black made the score 12-8.

The Rockets didn’t waste time putting more points on the board with a field goal to make the final score 15-8.

The GDFL has only two games on tap for this Holiday weekend.  The Nashville Storm hit the field for the first time and are set to take on the Western Kentucky Thoroughbreds for their season opener. Also the Alabama Sabers will host the River City Pythons on Sunday May 28th. 

The Rockets (1-0) will return to action Saturday (June.3rd) when they travel to Macon,Georgia,to face GDFL Powerhouse Georgia Crush (1-1) at 7 p.m. The Memphis Blast (0-2) is set to host the Tri-City Outlaws 1-0) on June 3rd .