Game Preview: Week #12 Sudbury Spurs @ Blacksburg Ballers

Blacksburg Ballers (11-0)
@
Sudbury Spurs (2-9)

It’s time for a Wild West shootout in Sudbury as the undefeated Ballers hope to lock up a playoff spot with a victory over the 2-9 Spurs. The Spurs are once again in the middle of a struggling season after going 5-10-1 last season and have only managed 2 victories, over the winless Boston Barbarians and Los Angeles Trojans. Not exactly the momentum that they would hope for going up against the red-hot Ballers who have looked unstoppable in the past eleven weeks posting victories over Thunder Bay, Mooresville, Forumopolis, Phoenixville and the latest casualty, the Sofa Kings. With a date with the Hawk Stars on the horizon, the Ballers need to keep the fire burning and shoot the lights out against the Spurs.

The History…

The Ballers and Spurs met in season 1 and the Spurs had a tough time containing the Ballers. Evenly matched in yardage statistics, turnovers would prove to be the decisive factor as the Ballers would force two interceptions and two fumbles, one recovered by kicker Troy Westwood (http://goallineblitz.com/game/replay.pl?pbp_id=804855 ) . Dan Etheridge and Alex Casino each put in a rushing touchdown and Khari went 22 for 44 and connected with Joe Pascone for a score as the Ballers won 26-7.

Next season, similar to the first as the Ballers walked over the Spurs again, this time winning 27-6. Khari would see little success in the air going 18 of 28 for 150 yards with 0 TDs and an interception. The Ballers rushing game would take off with 160 yards on the ground including 2 scores by Alex Casino. A turnover would be costly for the Spurs as Sargent Pepper would return an interception all the way for a touchdown as the Ballers cruised to victory.

Team Stats

Blacksburg Ballers

Points Per Game: 45.7 (3rd in League)
Points Allowed Per Game: 7.3 (2nd in League)
Passing Yards Per Game: 279.4
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 197.1
Rushing Yards Per Game: 162.9
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 35.5 (No Touchdowns Allowed)

Sudbury Spurs

Points Per Game: 8.9
Points Allowed Per Game: 28.6
Passing Yards Per Game: 152.5
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 200.8
Rushing Yards Per Game: 67.9
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 159

Key Ballers

John Wilson

The first year Baller has been quite awesome so far this season after leaving the Moose Island Sofa Kings last season. He just finished playing against his former team and brought in 6 catches for 68 yards. This brings his total on the year to 551 yards, 1 shy of his last year total, with 7 touchdowns and has been a huge factor in the success of Khari Jones. Wilson will be looking to create some mismatches against a very shallow secondary that could see him take a few long balls all the way.

Von Tierre

Another first year Baller has played an integral part in the success of the passing game. The left offensive tackle has protected Khari’s weak side and has done a phenomenal job doing it. Tierre has recorded 73 pancakes and has barely let anyone get past him. The Spurs right defensive end is a joke and Tierre should man handle him all day long.

Speed McLovin’

The dominant defensive end has been relatively quiet this season after having a MVP season last year. This week though, he has the mismatch of the century and could be having a monster game with a few sacks.

Silent Earth

The former Gilroy Devil has been anything but silent this year recording 46 tackles, a forced fumble and 23 pass deflections. The Spurs have tried to throw the ball this season and have seen little success and Earth has the abilities to make it a very painful day for QB Scotty Snakes.

Record Watch

Jesse Lumsden is two touchdowns away from tying another of Alex Casino's records, this one for rushing touchdowns. The Ballers have proven their dominance as a pass first offense but in Lumsden could break out for a long one or could take advantage of the redzone to bring in the scores and the record.

Beast Baily is just a pass deflection away from breaking his record for pass deflections in a season but could see it happen in this game or the next. Beast is also 2 away from tying his single season interception record. Slasher Evans is also two interceptions away from tying the record.

Khari Jones is 380 yards away from breaking his single season record for passing yards and will no doubt break it this season. He could rack up 380 against the Spurs defense but the CBs are probably the only bright spot in the Spurs defense and could have something to say about this.

Las Vegas Projections

The oddmakers are calling for a blowout of epic proportions! The Ballers are slated to win this game 72-3. It is important to note that the oddsmakers called for a 26-12 Ballers victory over the Sofa Kings and was very accurate in that. The Ballers could see this kind of success but it is less likely. The oddsmakers are also calling for a rebound for Mt. Oread with a 15-12 victory over Forumopolis, and a rebound for the Sofa Kings to beat Saskatoon 24-16.

The Spurs are definitely in for the toughest challenge of the season and they need a miracle as the Ballers are too fired up for the playoffs and on track to show everyone how the west was won.