Game Preview: Week #8 Blacksburg Ballers @ Thunder Bay Storm

Blacksburg Ballers (7-0) @ Thunder Bay Storm (7-0)

Game of the Year, Clash of the Titans…David vs Goliath? No matter what you call it, Friday’s game will be a battle of epic proportions between 2 of the 3 undefeated teams left in the Western Conference. The Blacksburg Ballers riding high off a 19-18 victory over the Phoenixville Kings head to Thunder Bay to face the Storm for the 4th time in their rivalry. The Ballers last faced the Storm in the first round of last seasons playoffs and lost in a tough 28-13 battle. Since then, the Ballers are currently on a 7 game winning streak (plus two more in the preseason) and have looked much better than last season. Thunder Bay is no slouch either posting 7 straight victories as well over quality teams such as the Saskatoon Raiders and the Moose Island Sofa Kings and are one of the leagues top offenses and defenses.

The History

The two teams have met three times and the Storm were the Ballers Achille’s heel in season 2 posting two victories over them.

In Season 1, the Ballers held the Thunder Bay offense to 168 yards in total offense while almost doubling them with 318.5 yards. Alex Casino would score on a rushing touchdown, Anthony Davinson would receive a catch for an 11 yard TD and Troy Westwood would add two field goals as the Ballers emerged victorious 20-3. Khari Jones would be held to 204.5 yards passing.

The teams would meet again in week 1 of season 2, and it would be a different story for the Storm’s offense who netted 313 yards and two TD passes. Jones would complete for 226.5 yards with a TD and an INT but the rushing game would suffer, only amounting to 21.5 yards and losing the turnover battle with two fumbles as the Storm took the game, 21-10.

The Ballers would rebound and find their way to the playoffs with a first round date with Thunder Bay but it would be much of the same as the rushing game stuttered with 47 yards and losing 2 fumbles as well as Khari throwing 213.5 yards but also 3 interceptions and would be crushed by the turnovers, 28-13.

Season Stats

Blacksburg Ballers

Points Per Game: 36.4
Points Allowed Per Game: 7.3 (2nd in League)
Passing Yards Per Game: 261.7
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 197.2
Rushing Yards Per Game: 121.5
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 30.9

Thunder Bay Storm

Points Per Game: 42.9
Points Allowed Per Game: 5.4 (1st in League)
Passing Yards Per Game: 242.3
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 129.3 (1st in League)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 209.3 (1st in League)
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 28.7

Key Ballers

Khari Jones

Khari has certainly had his share of troubles against the Thunder Bay Storm in the past but will be looking to exorcise his demons on Friday when he faces them. Khari is the lifeblood of this offense and if he clicks with them, they can take it to the Storm defense and score more than 5.4 points.

Gordon D’Arcy

The game ball winner for week #7 was a royal pain in the ass to King Hine picking off three of his passes. D’Arcy was also involved in the punt returns and the lack of depth at CB took its toll on D’Arcy who ended the game giving up a 73.5 yard touchdown which would’ve tied the game had the Kings kicker not missed the extra point. D’arcy will need to be prime to shut down the Storm’s offense who are very efficient in the air.

Ryan Betesta

“Mr. First Down” spent last season tearing apart USA AAA #1 defenses but has been average this season, averaging 73 yards a game and only scoring 3 times. The Storm’s defense is #1 against the pass and Betesta has something to say about that. He’s looking to break out and this could be the game to do so.

The Defensive Line

The d-line has been stellar all season long and has only allowed an average of 30.9 rushing yards per game but will be put to the ultimate test against the league’s best rushing attack who averages 209.3 yards a game. They will definitely need to clog the holes and force the rushing game to stall if they hope to win the game.

Record Watch

Jesse Lumsden is still searching for the single season rushing record and is 33 yards away. Those yards will be very hard earned today against a stellar defense but today could be the day that this record gets broken.

Troy Westwood is also chasing a record of his own, Westwood is two field goals away from tying and 3 from breaking his single season field goal completed record. With two great defenses, we could see a lot of field goals today and it is likely that this is another record that will get broken at the half way point of the season.

The Ballers have certainly looked better since the last time they met the Storm and most importantly, on the defensive side and their ability to force turnovers. The Storm have rarely looked tested this season with a fairly easy starting schedule and the Ballers will certainly test them. If the Ballers can control the football and avoid turnovers, this game could easily go the Ballers way.