Sloppy Play Ends in Yetis Victory

BLACKSBURG (BP) -- On a rainy day in Blacksburg, VA the stage was set for an epic battle of American football. The Blacksburg Ballers were hosting the 3rd Canada AAA #2 championship game and squared off against eastern conference champions, the Arctic Bay Yetis. Both teams had a combined 37-1 record between them coming into the game, and both had taken down the competition to solidify their spot in the championship.

The Yetis, known as one of the most potent teams in the league and in all of Goal Line Blitz came out early in dominating form.

They sacked QB Khari Jones twice on the opening drive and then marched down the field with quick deadly passes and hard nosed running, to take an early 7-0 lead. The Ballers answered back though on their first play from scrimmage with an 80 yard Khari Jones to Ryan Betesta bomb that tied the score at 7 all.

Two more touchdowns by both teams and by the end of the first quarter the score was a surprising 14-14 tie.

"We did not expect to be tied with them in that opening quarter," QB Khari Jones said who had an erratic day passing with 3 INT's and 2 TD's. "They came out and really dominated those opening minutes. But we fought back and just stayed in the game. The key to that opening quarter was that we didn't get rattled when they made plays, we took it as a challenge."

A challenge it was for the Ballers to score following the first quarter and stop the Yetis. The Ballers were outscored 20-3 in the second quarter and faced a 34-17 deficit going into halftime.

"The morale during that second quarter dropped and we never recovered it," DE Speed McLovin said who had 2 hurries and a forced fumble in the game. "We didn't respond to those scores like we did in the first quarter. We also couldn't move the ball with any sort of rhythm."

Interceptions by Khari Jones in the 2nd and 3rd quarters disrupted the rhythm, as well as missed field goals by Troy Westwood in the 2nd and 4th quarters. There were also 6 missed tackles by the Ballers during the course of the game.

"It's difficult to do things as a team when you're making ridiculous mistakes," LB Michael Beasley said who had a forced fumble and a hurry. "As a team there was no cohesion after the 2nd quarter and we could not execute anything on offense after that time. It's unfortunate when you're put into short fields like that and expected to stop guys and also forced to play on a short breath."

3 field goals by Yetis kicker Charlie Rice was the only scoring in the second half of the game, as the Ballers were able to stop the Yetis offense. At the final gun the score read 43 Yetis and 17 Ballers something owner Mike still sees some positive in.

"Coming into this game I knew the Yetis outmatched us in a lot of positions. I'm proud of the way our team handled itself and was able to hang in there. I know we had some turnover problems and other mistakes that really hurt our chances, but nevertheless this team did a lot more than what was expected this year."

Yetis owner MiniHusk had some words for the Ballers after the game.

"They are a team that fights and gave us one hell of a fight. On paper you think how could these guys make it this far? You have to credit a lot on their heart and passion for the game. And I give a lot of respect to Mike as an owner and the whole organization. But I'm still glad too that a team from the East was able to win the whole thing for the second straight year."

Moving forward the Ballers and Yetis will both ascend to the ranks of the Canada Pro League. Regarded as one of the top leagues in all of Goal Line Blitz it will be a challenge for both of these newcomers to topple the already established teams waiting for them.

For now though the Yetis and Ballers will evaluate their teams in the off-season and make the necessary moves. And for now the Blacksburg Press will be signing off for the final time. Goodbye Canada AAA #2 and good luck to all its teams next year.