Game Preview: Week #1 Blacksburg Ballers @ North American NDLers

Blacksburg Ballers (Season 2 - 10-6)
@
North American NDLers (Season 2 - 9-7)

After their second straight early exit from the playoffs, the Blacksburg Ballers return to the gridiron with a vengeance. The Ballers finished their second season with a playoff loss to the Thunder Bay Storm and for a much improved team, this was a hard way to finish the season. The Ballers regrouped and went to the mattresses and came back with an abundance of free agent signings. The additions of these new signings should turn Blacksburg into a threat and one of the top teams in the Western Conference. The road starts with the North American NDLers who are coming off their first season in the AAA, a 9-7 tour that ended with an embarassing 50-0 loss to the Yukon Gold Rush in the first round. This team is also hungry to get back their pride and are looking to take out their frustrations on the Ballers.

Season 2 Rewind

The last contest between the Ballers and NDLers took place in week 5 of season 2. It was an aerial contest that showed the excellence that are these two quarterbacks. The NDLers would open the scoring first with a TD pass from David Ricco to AJ Alves early in the second quarter. Khari would march down the field the very next drive and hit a strike to Mark Bryne in the endzone to take a 7-6 lead. Riccio would answer right back with a touchdown pass to Ichiro Backwards and take a 13-7 lead to the locker room. The NDLers would come out swinging in the 2nd half with the 2nd TD reception for AJ Alves on the half's opening drive. Khari would press a little too hard in the 4th and was picked off. This would lead to a NDLers field goal. Khari would push again, scoring a late TD to Sterling Driver but it was too little too late for the Ballers who would go on to lose 23-14. That was one of David Riccio's best games of the year, completing 33 of 50 passes for 253 yards and 3 TD's (a season high). Khari didn't do too bad himself completing 27 of 47 for 229 yards and 2 TDs but one interception. The running game was practically non-existant and the Ballers are hoping to open up both areas of the offense in order to avenge this loss.

Returning Cast

The Ballers have seen a large portion of the team return from last season. Some notable returns are the Owens, as well as Bo Szilaj, Pincthat Nuggetout, Michael Beasley, Russell Roch, most of the offensive line and almost the entire defense!

Speed McLovin', DE

- The Ballers MVP of Season 2 is back and hungry for more in his third season in Blacksburg. After a stellar performance that saw 92 tackles, 11 sacks and 8 pass deflections, what does McLovin' have in store for season 3 as he leads the Ballers defense to battle?

Khari Jones, QB

- No surprise here! Khari Jones is in for the long haul. Khari improved on his season 1 numbers in season 2 with a Western Conference high 3,499 passing yards coupled with 22 TD's but only completing 59.1% of his passes and throwing 17 interceptions. Khari was a pro bowl finalist but pundants prodded at his interceptions and completion percentage as a glaring weakness in this young QB. Khari saw a lot of personnel change in the receiving corps in season 2 and with the new additions to this years receiving corps, it is likely that these numbers will be going sky high as the Ballers should produce some of the top passing numbers in the league. Khari had a career best performance in week 14 recording 383.5 yards and 6 touchdown passes.

Aaron Wilson, LB

- A late addition to the Ballers roster in season 1, Wilson had an outstanding performance at LOLB recording 82 tackles, 1 sack, 2 interceptions and 10 pass deflections. With fellow linebacker Michael Beasley, these two should be a double threat against every team in the league in season 3.

Troy Westwood, K

- Quite possibly the turnaround story of Season 2, Troy Westwood rebounded after the season 1 first round playoff loss where the Ballers lost 17-16 and Westwood missed a 19 yard field goal. Troy finished season 2 with 31/41 field goals and 44/48 XPM but the fascinating part is that Troy has made his last 20 in a row including 4 from over 50 yards. Troy has vowed to make season 3 his year and have one of the best completion percentages in the league.

Beast Baily, CB

- Beast is coming off a fine performance that saw him record 46 tackles, 9 interceptions and one that came back for a touchdown. This ball hawk is hunting for more in season 3.

Movers and Shakers

The offseason was full of moves and a lot of free agent signings but a few players were lost and picked up in the trading game:

- Alex Casino (Running Back) is probably the most notable player lost in trade but he is being replaced by the much needed Elite Rusher who will be starting at DT.

- Samual T. Bonecrusher (Center) joins us after being traded from the Houston Toros for Steve Belange (C)

- Google Dog (OT) was exchanged to the Paris Musketeers for Von Tierre (OT)

- Slasher Evans (CB) and Lawrence Julius Taylor (LB) join the team from the Clemson Tigers which saw the departure of Graz Manius, Sargent Pepper and Anthony Davinson.

- No Longer with the Team: Todd Rollman, Kellen Edwards, Dan Etheridge and Lauf Wunder have all been traded away for cash negotiations.

Making Their Debut

Being the first game of the season, many new players will suit up for the first time in the Ballers uniforms and the fans are in for quite a treat.

Ryan Betesta, WR

- Quite possibly the biggest free agent signing in Ballers history, Ryan Betesta joins the team following the disbanding of USA AAA #1's Gilroy Devils. Betesta suited up in 16 games for them last season receiving 172 catches for 1,921 yards (a league high), 14 TD's and a 120.1 yards per game average. "Mr.First Down" is known for his shenigans but he can deliver on the field and is the right man to lead this receiving corps to the promised land.

John Wilson, WR

- The second addition to the receiving team is no stranger to Canadian AAA ball, John Wilson suited up for the Moose Island Sofa Kings in 9 games last year. Wilson has been juggled around and played for 5 teams in season 2, finishing with 552.5 receiving yards and 2 TD's. Wilson hopes to have found his fit in the Ballers offense and with the Owens twins and Bo Szilaj, this is a receiving team that will be a force to be reckoned with.

Tommy Canada, DE

- Tommy Canada played for the 14-2 Boston Stalkers in the USA AA #2 in season 2, racking up 30 tackles and 1 pass deflection. After failing to resign a contract there, Blacksburg was quick to sign the up and coming young talent and hopes that he can be the yin to Speed McLovin's yang.

Elite Rusher, DT

- Acquired in a trade with the Brentwood Bears for Alex Casino, Elite Rusher will be the starting DT and after recording 25 tackles and 1 sack in season 2, Elite Rusher is hoping to record a few more sacks and pummel opposing QBs.

Jesse Lumsden, HB

- Jesse Lumsden joins us by way of the USA Pro League's San Jose Spartans. Lumsden played backup HB to Johnathan Stewart and ran the ball for 371.5 yards and 6 TDs as well as 21 receptions for 136.5 yards and 1 receiving TD. Lumsden saw the bulk of his yards on special teams including 1,402 yards on kickoff returns, 1,304.5 yards on punt returns including 1 for a TD. Lumsden is itching to be a starter and prove how dominant he can be.

Von Tierre, OT

- Von Tierre played in Paris for season 2 and an exchange with the Ballers for Google Dog will see the OT who recorded 46 pancakes come play for Blacksburg.

Lawrence Julius Taylor, LB and Slasher Evans, CB

- Its not easy playing for a losing team, Evans and Taylor played for the 0-16 Clemson Tigers. Taylor is hoping to see better success in season 3 after recording 92 tackles, 4 sacks and 5 pass deflections in season 2. Same thing for Evans who recorded 85 tackles and 3 interceptions.

BJ, TE

- The second player to join the Ballers from the Gilroy Devils is TE BJ. BJ is the starting TE and saw 4 TDs in season 2 and 351 yards through the air. He is a big guy who isn't afraid to put his body on the line.

Silent Earth, SS

- The final debut and also joining us from the Gilroy Devils is SS Silent Earth. Earth played in 16 games for the Devils recording 75 tackles, 1 interception and an amazing 32 pass deflections. A first round playoff loss for Gilroy also has these three former Devils riled up and ready to hit the gridiron running.

Summary

The Ballers have a lot to prove and definitely have some high expectations after making some big offseason moves. This will be a difficult first test but will allow the Ballers to prove their worth to the league with a victory. The road to Canada Pro starts tomorrow and the Ballers are fired up and ready to go!