Game Preview: Week #2 Blacksburg Ballers @ Fraggle Rock Death Squad

Blacksburg Ballers (0-1)
@
Fraggle Rock Death Squad (0-1)

The 4th season of the Canadian Pro League is under way and neither of these two teams started off the way they wanted with both of them dropping their first game of the season. The newly promoted Blacksburg Ballers proved that they belong here by holding their own against the Yukon Gold Rush and losing a tight match, 14-7. The Fraggle Rock Death Squad have a new look to them with many new players since last season but were still unsuccessful in week #1, losing 34-7 to the North Delta Huskies.

The teams do battle this week with one team picking up their first win of the year. Khari Jones and company look to improve on their struggling offense who had a hard time against the Yukon Gold Rush and walk away with their first Pro Victory.

Week #1

A fired-up Ballers squad gave it their all and put up a good fight against the Yukon Gold Rush in week #1. The defense held the Gold Rush to 277 yards with only 2 scores while forcing 3 fumbles and an interception. The offense had its share of troubles though only compiling 24 yards on the ground, 181 in the air and 1 score while turning over the ball once. Pressure from the d-line would cause Khari and the running backs trouble all day long and would put them in unfavourable positions as the Gold Rush squeaked by with a 14-7 victory.

Fraggle Rock’s new look team was not looking good in week #1 against the North Delta Huskies giving up 4 passing touchdowns in the first half and a rushing touchdown in the 2nd half to seal the deal. The North Delta QB’s combined for 301.5 yards in the air while being sacked 4 times and throwing a pick. Fraggle Rock had trouble moving the ball completing 25 passes for only 145 yards with another 85.5 yards added on 39 rushes. The Death Squad would only find the endzone once as they lost 34-7.

Season Stats

Blacksburg Ballers

Points Scored: 7
Points Allowed: 14
Rushing Yards: 24
Rushing Yards Allowed: 114
Passing Yards: 181.5
Passing Yards Allowed: 163.5

Fraggle Rock Death Squad

Points Scored: 7
Points Allowed: 34
Rushing Yards: 85.5
Rushing Yards Allowed: 63
Passing Yards: 145.5
Passing Yards Allowed: 301.5


Players to Watch

Ryan Betesta, WR, Blacksburg – After receiving for over 1,400 yards last season, it came as a shock to many that Betesta only caught two balls last game for 15 yards (his 2nd lowest amount in his career). Betesta is fired up and ready to take it to the air and is famous for the long distance reception.

Derek Pacheco, DE, Blacksburg – 2 sacks against Yukon was a might feat for Derek Pacheco and he has certainly come into his own in the past few weeks. He’s already half way to his season high total of 4 sacks and with 15 games still to go, Derek may be turning some heads this season.

Khari Jones, QB, Blacksburg – A lackluster performance against a tough Yukon team can easily be erased in the minds of many if Khari Jones comes out and performs the way he is supposed to. With the addition of two new threats this year (Dirk Ilicious and James Vita), the passing game should’ve come easier to Khari but in the first game of the year, Khari looked almost lost without Ballhogg and another of his favorite targets, John Wilson.

The Ballers are looking to right the wrongs of the first game and prove that they belong here in the Pro’s. While there is little doubt to how good this team really is, two losses in a row will be very alarming to a team that is slated to return to the playoffs for a 4th straight season. The coaches have been busy all week working out the kinks of the new playbook and they have the boys ready to put up a helluva fight.