Ballers Inch Closer to Playoffs with 20-16 Win

BLACKSBURG (BP) -- In a game that was won more on the defensive front rather than the offensive, the Blacksburg Ballers managed to squeak out a close victory 20-16 against the TSW Titans. Both teams struggled the entire game offensively, and it took 13 unanswered points by Blacksburg to get past the pesky Titans defense.

"It certainly was one of the more hard fought games," RB Pinchthat Nuggetout said who finished with 12 carries and 39.5 yds. "We certainly had to fight for every extra yard because of how well TSW's defense was playing."

The Ballers gained only 252 yards of total offense and QB Khari Jones had an especially tough time moving the ball with only 145.5 passing yds and 2 INT's.

"Their secondary was one of the best I've seen all year," Jones said who rallied the Ballers in the 2nd half down by 9 at one point. "They just had some great jumps on the ball and blanketed our receivers really well. I have to credit Troy though for making some real clutch field goals in the end there."

Jones was referring to kicker Troy Westwood who managed to boot 2 field goals in the 4th quarter to seal the victory for Blacksburg. The first was a season long 52 yard rocket that sailed through the uprights giving the Ballers a 1 point lead. The next was a 36 yarder with just under 6 minutes to go in the game that sealed the 20-16 victory.

"I had no idea that first one was going in," Westwood said who finished 2 for 4 on field goals. "I had previously missed 2 straight field goals and I was thinking when coach put me in 'oh god'. So I get up there and of course it's just nerve-wracking with the crowd yelling and everything. And I swear if I could have kicked that again from 80 yards I think I could have made it, that was how good I got my foot under it."

Westwood's heroics as well as the Blacksburg defensive effort were the main components to the Ballers's victory. CB Beast Baily grabbed his 9th interception of the year and that put him into a tie for 3rd in the entire Canadian AAA #2. The Ballers also managed to stop all of TSW's attempts at establishing a running game by holding them to 15 yards of total rush offense.

"The whole defense played exceptionally," DE Speed McLovin commented who had his 11th sack of the year putting him into a tie for 2nd in the Canadian AAA #2. "We all just came together and executed the gameplan. Just a great effort all around."

The Ballers will face their final opponent of the regular season, the Dallas Desperados on Tuesday. The Desperados come in at 7-8 and are the only team the Ballers will face in the Canadian AAA #2 Eastern Conference. The Eastern Conference has been dubbed the greater of the 2 conferences in the Canadian AAA and the Desperados will be a formidable opponent to the Ballers.

The Ballers need a victory to ensure a playoff berth, otherwise with a loss they endanger themselves of missing the playoffs entirely.

*Great job guys let's win this next game and get to the playoffs again! Troy Westwood gets the game ball, despite the misses he booted those 2 field goals to win the game so he deserves it.*