Game Preview: Week #2 Blacksburg Ballers @ TSW Titans

Blacksburg Ballers (1-0) at TSW Titans (1-0)

The Ballers kicked off the regular season with a bang and a decisive 51-7 victory in what could be labelled as the greatest victory in Ballers history. The Ballers look to continue their winning ways having won three in a row (including preseason) as they head into TSW. The Titans are no easy feat and are also coming off a week 1 victory over the Ottawa Chiefs. Both teams showcase a very talented offensive aerial arsenal and both defenses have the potential to force turnovers but only one team can prevail.

Season 2 Rewind

These two teams haven't been away from each other that long because they met in week 15 in a defensive struggle. The Titans defense held the Ballers to a combined 252 yards and only 145 yards passing. They also picked Khari off twice but the Ballers were able to control field position and edge by with a 20-16 victory. TSW took an early lead with a 4.5 yard rush by Alex Johansen just over 5 minutes into the game. TSW would make it 10-0 early in the 2nd off of a field goal. Khari would lead his troops down the field and find Ballhogg in the endzone for a 6 yard TD. TSW would manage another field goal to end the half up 13-7. Blacksburg looked like they would capitalize right away in the second half with an interception by Beast Baily but Khari would throw his 2nd interception the very next play. TSW would go on to score a field goal and take a 16-7 lead. The Ballers would intercept the ball again by Jack Robinson but the drive would stall and Ballers would have to rely on another interception by Aaron Wilson. The Ballers would capitalize on this mistake and Khari would connect with Ballhogg in the endzone once again to cut the lead to 16-14. The Ballers defense stepped it up on the next drive and Speed McLovin' held Rob Rowdy to a 3 yard gain on a 3rd and 4. This would set up a Troy Westwood 52 yard field goal to take the lead. The Ballers defense would once again force a three and out and Westwood would nail a 36 yarder to further the lead. The Titans would press late in the 4th but a deflection by Sargent Pepper with under two minutes to go would end the drive and the Ballers would hold on for a 20-16 victory. The Ballers won the turnover battle 3 interceptions to 2 and this could prove to be the difference once again this week.

Week 1 in Review

Blacksburg Ballers - The Ballers started the season with a decisive victory against the North American NDLers who beat the Ballers in season 2. The Ballers would score on their first drive with a 2 yard rush by Frank Davis for his first score as a Baller. 2 drives later and Russell Roch would punch it in for a 14-0 lead and the Ballers would never look back. Khari would throw 2 interceptions in the half but both would lead to no points. Troy Westwood would add a 36.5 field goal and Jesse Lumsden would score his first TD as a Baller to take a 24-0 lead to the locker room. Lumsden and Westwood would score again in the 3rd and new WR's Ryan Betesta and Wilson would each add a score to make it 48-0. The NDLers would stall on 4th down deep in Ballers territory with a tackle for a loss by Sev Sheppard. The Ballers would take over but could not move the ball and the NDLers would start with prime field position and this time they would punch it in for the only time in the game. In all, the Ballers offense would score 6 TD's and the Ballers defense would force 6 turnovers in complete domination of the NDLers.

TSW Titans - The Titans also opened up the regular season with a victory against the Ottawa Chiefs. TSW would open up with a field goal but the Chiefs would answer right back with a 78 yard pass from Bob Katt to Wayne Bowe. Brady Kiel of TSW would be quick to respond with a pass to Jason Amaya Jr. to retake the lead. Ottawa would score for the last time to retake the lead off a 3 yard Rich Bedgood rush. TSW would score a field goal to cut the lead and Tyler Simmons would return an interception for a TD to give the Titans a 20-14 lead to the locker room. Two field goals were the only scoring in the 2nd half as the Titans held on to win 26-14.

Key Players

Khari Jones, QB, Blacksburg Ballers

- Last time around, the Ballers relied heavily on the pass as the rushing game stalled. Although the running game has since improved, look for the Ballers to still capitalize on the pass due to mismatches in the secondary. Khari has had a frustrating time at QB, although completing for the most yards last season in the Western conference, Khari's accuracy and interceptions have been a cause of doubt in the league. It doesn't help matters when he opens the first game with 2 interceptions but did manage to complete 33 of 48 passes. Khari will need to be very accurate and precise in this game because the Ballers can not afford turnovers this team does have a few ball hawks at CB

The Blacksburg Receivers

- The Fab Five of Blacksburg have the potential to have themselves a field day against this Titan defense. The Titans defense lacks depth and the Ballers play with a very frequent rotation so you should see very many fresh WRs and very tired CBs. This should result in a lot of big gains and a lot of big TD's!

Tommy Canada, DE, Blacksburg Ballers

- The running game for TSW also stalled last time they met the Ballers and the rushing game was atrocious against Ottawa with 35 yards on 28 carries. With the Ballers d-line, it is likely that this situation will continue so its up to Tommy Canada to put extra pressure on Brady Kiel, who should be throwing the ball frequently and this will force him to make mistakes which could lead to many Ballers itnerceptions.

Gordon D'Arcy and Beast Baily, CB's, Blacksburg Ballers

- TSW is set to pass the ball and these two ball hawks have the potential to make the big plays and change the tide of the game. Both of them had an excellent start to the season and will look to continue their turnover ways in week #2.

Tyler Simmons, LB, TSW Titans

- Tyler Simmons may be the one player that can keep TSW in the game. Although he was very silent in the last time these two met, Tyler had a big game in week #1 with 3 tackles, 2 for a loss, a hurry and an interception for a TD. Simmons has the potential to shut down the HB and the TE and could possibly see another interception so look for Khari to throw away from him.

Brady Kiel, QB, TSW Titans

- Brady is a talented QB but he will need to be better than perfect against this Ballers defense. Brady went 30 for 43 for 267.5 yards and a TD and had no interceptions thrown against the Ottawa Chiefs. If he can open the score, the Titans might have a shot at this.

Recap

The Ballers looked very good in week #1 and this is due to intense training during the offseason as well as some key additions to the team. It's very likely that this greatness will continue in week #2 as the team really starts to get clicking. The Titans have a solid lineup but they just might not be good enough for both the Ballers offfense and the defense.