BRUTAL (BP) - The Blacksburg Ballers rolled out the welcome carpet to the newest addition to the AAA and slammed the door right in their face. In fine Ballers fashion, the team displayed offensive and defensive excellence in securing their first shutout of the season, 32-0 over the Brutal Deluxe.
"There was a lot of hype going into this game because this is a team that has been to the top of a mountain (the AAA #3 Western Conference) but we proved today that they don't belong here and we do," Offensive Co-Ordinator Ryan Betesta.
Many labelled this as the first real test for the Ballers and if this was a test, they passed with flying colours mostly due to the impressive showing of the defense who brought in 5 interceptions and a fumble recovery. This team now leads the league in interceptions with 16; Beast Baily added to that total with 2 today.
"I just followed my receiver and played him tight and the dude kept throwing me the ball. There is nothing in the world sweeter than an interception and today I was fortunate to get two," CB Beast Baily.
The defense also manhandled them on the ground holding them to 2 yards rushing on 18 attempts. The dominating defensive line held their own and forced 12 rushes on the QB which could also attribute to the 5 interceptions as well as 3 sacks.
"We do what we can get to put pressure on the quarterback and today we did that very well. I didn't get any sacks but it's nice to see the DTs bullying their way through to punish the QB. I did force a fumble so take that Hawkeye," DE Speed McLovin'.
While the defense was kicking ass, the Ballers offense was no slouch either. Although putting up 426 yards of offense and over 300 yards in the air, the offense would once again rely on Troy Westwood who want 6/8 missing from 41 yards and 55 yards.
"I'm really frustrated, I had another shot to go 8/8 and prove my worth to the team and I blew it. Those 55+ yards kicks should be possible since I've been hitting 54 and 54.5 but I just can't break that hump yet and hopefully that doesn't come back to haunt us later in the season," Troy Westwood.
Much of the success of the offense comes down to the offensive line who for the 3rd straight game allowed no sacks on Khari Jones. Khari was pressured 5 times but was not sacked once and only threw one interception which was just great coverage and had no pressure on the play.
"As an offensive line, it's our job to protect the quarterback and once again we did it. It's not a glamourous job but someone's got to do it. I just like to go out there and pound the defensive line," Center Bricky Bonebreaker.
Khari also enraged the Brutal sidelines with his last second tactics in the 2nd quarter. Dinkin Jones intercepted the ball with 9 seconds left in the half and Khari and came onto the field to run the clock down. They lined up in formation to kneel the ball down but Khari took a few steps back and fired to Ryan Betesta who took the ball 65 yards for a Ballers score to end the half.
"People are going to hate this play but no one was expecting it and thats why it worked. I came to the line of scrimmage and I looked at the Brutal defense and they were exhausted and unmotivated. I glanced over at Betesta and we made eye contact and we knew what we had to do and we beat them for 6. That one touchdown couldn't meant everything and we have to give it our all," QB Khari Jones.
Ryan Betesta lead the receiving corps today with 9 catches for 162.5 yards and a TD to cap off Khari's 24/46, 307.5 yards and 2 touchdowns performance. It was a tough day for the Ballers offense despite the numbers as Brutal stopped them short several times and forced many deflections on Khari's throws.
The Ballers return home on Saturday for what should be a tough match of revenge against the Mooreville Anglers. The Anglers are coming off their 2nd win of the season against the Abbotsford Miners, after dropping back to back games against Mt. Oread and the North American NDLers. The Ballers lost to the Anglers in season 2 in the season's most heartbreaking loss. Down by 4 with 2 minutes remaining, Khari would march the troops to the 1 yard line and throw 4 incompletions in a row to turn the ball over. The defense would step it up and the Ballers would get the ball back and down to the 10.5 yard line but 3 incompletions and a 1.5 yard loss on 4th down would end the game for the Ballers in heartbreaking fashion. The Ballers are looking to hit the ground running and Khari, who threw no touchdowns in that game, is looking to tear them apart in the air.
Today's game ball goes to Beast Baily for his 2 interceptions, 4 pass deflections and 1 tackle performance. This is Baily's 2nd game ball in a row.
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