Ballers Squeak by Hawk Stars in OT 10-7

Mt. Oread, Kansaas (BP) -- Do you believe in miracles? YES! The Blacksburg Ballers have pulled off an improbable string of victories with the latest over the Mt. Oread Hawk Stars in overtime. The Ballers have now won 3 straight games and have won 4 of their last 5.

GOOGLE DOG told the BP he has always believed in this team.

"Really I am not surprised by our performance over the last 3 weeks. The offense was always talented and the defense is one of the best in the league, really it was just a matter of all the gears coming together."

The Ballers certainly have all the gears coming together and showed once again they can win despite not putting up gaudy numbers. Khari Jones did return to form and he told the BP how it feels to be back.

"Well after a few weeks of our passing game being off track, I think we made some great strides to help remedy that situation. All of our receivers played great, Sterling caught some tough balls and Gordon made a great pass in the end zone there at the end. So I think as long as we just keep mixing in some run and pass we'll have success offensively."

Jones went 27 for 46, 207.5 yds and a touchdown that came on a 7 yard strike to TE Gordon Abram. The Ballers then were faced with a touchdown by the Hawk Stars after Justin King was inches away from picking off a Bill Whittemore pass. After the score remained 7-7 at the end of regulation the Ballers marched down the field and Troy Westwood nailed a 36.5 yd field goal to win it.

"I just put my leg into it and the thing went straight," Westwood said describing the last minute heroics. "Snap was great, hold was great, and the ball just hit off my foot cleanly. I will definitely think about this moment for the rest of my life."

Westwood will need to kick more FG's as the Ballers face 2 more regular season opponents, the Chilliwack Devils and Reading Redskins, followed by the Canadian AA League playoffs. The Ballers are currently seeded 7th and have a record of 8-6.

"We just need to calm down focus on the 2 games we have left and then look to the playoffs," Defensive Coordinator Kage said. "Our defense has been really stepping up and I am impressed by the them and the whole team. But we have 2 more opponents who are not going to just lay down and let us win, we still need to finish strong and carry that momentum to the playoffs."

Kage was named the Michelin Tires Defensive Coach of the Week after holding teams to a combined 17 points over the last 3 games.

Next week the Ballers will face the 6-8 12th place Chilliwick Devils. The Ballers could move even further in the standing with a win next week.