The Streak Continues, 15 and Counting

BLACKSBURG (BP) -- The Blacksburg Ballers added to their growing win streak today with a 60-6 thrashing of the Saskatoon Raiders in the first round of the Canadian AAA #2 playoffs. The victory was Blacksburg's 17th straight this season and also signifies the first playoff victory by the team, ever.

Despite a second straight early playoff exit after a 28-13 loss to Thunder Bay in season 2, the Ballers had high hopes coming into season 3. They acquired new talent on the team and filled key voids with some shrew off season maneuvers.

However, the Ballers had no idea that they would be a part of history eventually reeling off now 17 straight victories.

"This was in nobody's mind coming into the season," Mike said whose team will face Forumopolis in the second round of the playoffs. "Winning this many games is just mind-boggling and I'm proud of the entire team. Just shows the heart and will to win we have."

That heart was carried over into today's game against Saskatoon which was over before even half the game was played.

QB Khari Jones was on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz. With short bullet passes and long bombs, Jones marched his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punched holes in the forward wall of Saskatoon's defensive line.

Jones finished the game with 3 TD's and 316.5 yds passing. WR John Wilson caught 2 of those touchdown balls and finished the contest with 8 catches for 104 yds.

Along with the vicious aerial assault, the Ballers maintained a steady ground game slowly wearing down the Raiders defense. RB's Jesse Lumsden and Pinchthat Nuggetout combined for 153 yds and 2 rushing TD's. The Ballers as a team finished with 472 yds of total offense.

"The offense was absolutely terrific tonight," RB Jesse Lumsden said who anchored the Ballers rushing attack with 106.5 yds and a score. "We passed effectively and were able to move the ball on the ground. The defense also did a tremendous job and stopped the Raiders from getting back into the game."

The Ballers defense held Saskatoon to 191.5 total yds. They also forced the Raiders into 5 turnovers including 4 int's and 1 fumble.

The defensive line added intense pressure on Raiders QB Willie Beamon, hurrying him 9 times and sacking him twice. 3 of those hurries came from defensive end Speed McLovin, who had a few words after the game.

"The entire defense stepped up to the plate. This was a huge confidence boost for us because I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to translate our regular season success to the playoffs. We lost 2 straight playoff games coming into today's, but I think we realized what was at stake and just made the plays we needed."

The Ballers next week will face a familiar foe in the Forumopolis Fighting Llamas. The Llamas and Ballers met earlier this season, and the outcome was not pretty for the Llamas as Blacksburg managed to cruise to a 30-10 victory. The outcome however will be different Forumopolis owner Rabid Squirrel said.

"They are an excellent team, there is no doubt about that." Squirrel said whose team managed the 5th seed in the playoffs and a first round victory over Phoenixville to advance to the game against Blacksburg. "Our team is much more prepared and we have a better understanding of what we need to do as a team to win. I think last time we just panicked and were unable to recover. This time I can assure everyone that we are coming ready to play."