Springfield WolfPack Win Season Opener- quote from websportsradio.com

Springfield WolfPack Win Season Opener

by steve casson, websports radio staff

04/17/10 - SPRINGFIELD, MO - A new look Springfield WolfPack Indoor Football team wontheir season opening game 53-2 against the Topeka Thunder in front of 700 or so howling WolfPack fans at Mediacom Ice Park.

It was a game the featured two pass interceptions by Stanley Harris, with one each by Willie Johnson and Nino Bennett.

Springfield used less than 5 minutes, and their first possession of the game to grab the lead. After the Thunder turned the ball over on downs at the Springfield 22 yard line, WolfPack quarterback Derek Rasmussen (Evangel) hit wide-receiver Jonathan Alvarado (SBU-San Diego) with a 28 yard touchdown pass for a 6-0 lead. Nathan Stokes' extra point kick was good for a 7 point advantage.

Once again the Pack stopped the Thunder on downs and with 4:12 remaining in the 1st quarter, and Von Dixon finished the next WolfPack drive by running 21 yards into the end zone. Stokes extra point was good for a 14-0 lead.

After Harris, a standout WolfPack defensive back, intercepted Topeka quarterback Komanae Carey at the Thunder 1-yard line to open the second quarter, Rasmussen ended the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Anton Cullom for a 21 point (Stokes' extra point good) Springfield lead at the 11 minute mark.

"We're looking good out there," said Harris after the game. "I just wish I can get my hands on the ball more on offense. It will come with time."

Harris, corner back Jason Mudge, and center Joe Helms are the only WolfPack players remaining from the original team that began play indoors at Mediacom in 2007.

Johnson intercepted Carey again at the Thunder 1-yard line and ran the ball back 49 yards for a Springfield touchdown. Stokes' kick was wide left and with 6:45 to play in the half, the WolfPack enjoyed the 27-0 score.

For the second time in the quarter, Harris intercepted Jerod Hay at the 25-yard line and ran the ball back to the Thunder 17-yard line. Rasmussen made quick work of a 17-yard strike to Alvarado for 6 more Pack points and (with a good extra point) a 34-0 rout.

The interceptions continued for Topeka, and once again Hay was the victim of Bennett grabbing the ball on the Springfield 22 yard line. After a penalty brought the ball to the 16, Rasmussen hit Josh Pell with a pass for another 6 points, a good extra point by Stokes, and a 41-0 romp going into halftime.

Three minutes into the 3rd quarter the WolfPack found themselves on their own 19-yard line. A bad snap over the head of new WolfPack quarterback Anthony Vibbard bounced through the end zone for a safety, and two points for the Thunder.

For the 3rd time in the game, the WolfPack held the Thunder on downs with 3:51 on the clock. Springfield's drive ended with Lecorey Teague's 1-yard touchdown run for a 47-2 score. The 2-point conversion run by Vibbard failed.

The only score in the 4th quarter, by the WolfPack, came on a 29-yard pass from Vibbard to Dixon with 23.9 seconds left. Stokes' extra point attempt missed to the right.

Scoring:

Springfield — 1st - Alvarado 29 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 7-0

Springfield — 1st - Dixon 21 yd run (Stokes kick) 14-0

Springfield — 2nd - Cullom 22 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 21-0

Springfield — 2nd - Johnson 49 yd interception (kick failed) 27-0

Springfield — 2nd - Alvarado 17 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 34-0

Springfield — 2nd - Pell 16 yd pass from Rasmussen (Stokes kick) 41-0

Topeka — 3rd - Safety - Fumble through end zone. - 41-2

Springfield — 3rd - Teague 1 yd run (2pt conv. failed) 47-2

Springfield — 4th - Dixon 29 pass from Vibbard (kick failed) 53-2

BOX SCORE

	Springfield	14	27	6	6	-	53
	Topeka	0	0	2	0	-	2