Game Preview: Week #3 Manitoba Maniacs @ Blacksburg Ballers

Manitoba Maniacs (0-2)
@
Blacksburg Ballers (1-1)

The Ballers return home after their first Pro victory, a decisive 24-0 shutout victory over the Fraggle Rock Death Squad as the offense looked good and the defense continued to look even better allowing just 175.5 total yards which is 1 yard less than the Ballers running backs. Russell Roch scored twice and Khari found Betesta for his only touchdown pass of the game as the Ballers cruised to victory. Despite an 0-2 record, the Manitoba Maniacs are a team that no one can take lightly because they do have an effecient offense which has just not kicked into gear yet but could happen at anytime. The defense... not so much. The defense has already allowed 71 points this season in just two games and this has to have Khari Jones and company foaming at the mouth.

The Maniacs Season Thus Far...

The Maniacs kicked off the season in B.C. against the Beerfest who finished season 3 with a 6-10 record. This game got as ugly as it could as the BC Beerfest looked alright, scoring 31 points and putting up over 325 yards of offense but also fumbled the ball 6 times, losing 3 of them. The Maniacs weren't able to capitalize on this, giving up 2 interceptions of their own and also fumbling twice. The Beerfest would score three times on the ground and once in the air while holding the Maniacs to one score of each on route to a 31-17 victory.

Week #2, fresh off a hard-fought victory against the Blacksburg Ballers, the Yukon Gold Rush were poised to prove that they deserved that win and came out swinging against the Maniacs and ended up with a grand slam. The Gold Rush turned the ball over 4 times but still managed to put up 370 yards rushing and 133 yards through the air for over 500 yards of total offense. All this while holding the Maniacs to 200 yards, 26 on the ground and forcing no turnovers. The Gold Rush scored two touchdowns in the air and four rushing touchdowns as they easily walked away with a 40-13 victory.

Season Stats

Blacksburg Ballers

Points Scored Per Game: 15.5
Points Allowed Per Game: 7
Rushing Yards Per Game: 100.3
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 70.3
Passing Yards Per Game: 181.5
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 163.5

Manitoba Maniacs

Points Scored Per Game: 15
Points Allowed Per Game: 35.5
Rushing Yards Per Game: 73.3
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 275.5
Passing Yards Per Game: 174.3
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 140

Manitoba Connections

There are several Manitoba connections on the sidelines of the Blacksburg Ballers which could make for an interesting rivalry down the line.

- Offensive Co-Ordinator Ryan Betesta Sr. and Wide Receiver Ryan Betesta are both long-time residents of Winnipeg, Manitoba with Betesta being born and raised in Winnipeg and attending the University of Manitoba.

- Kicker Troy Westwood hails from Dauphin, Manitoba and spent many years with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers prior to joining the Ballers.

- Other former Blue Bombers include Quarterback Khari Jones and TE Jamie Stoddard; Stoddard also attended the University of Winnipeg prior to playing for the Bombers.

Season 4 Standouts

CB Beast Baily - 2nd for tackles with 11 as well as 8 PD's, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

SS Silent Earth - Leads the Ballers in tackles with 13 and has 4 PDs as well.

DE Derek Pacheco - The only Baller with a sack, and two for that matter, as well as 1 hurry.

FB Russell Roch - The Ballers touchdown leader with 2 also has 33 yards rushing and 3 broken tackles.

Turn Up the Heat

WR James Vita - a 2 for 1 trade deal brought Vita here and the risk is starting to pay off nicely as Vita led the way in week #2 with 6 catches for 67 yards. Vita took what Khari gave him and had a standout performance for a team that has been struggling to move the ball through the air.

HB Jesse Lumsden - After only rushing for 26.5 yards in week #1, Lumdsen cranked up the heat churning out 91 yards with 4 broken tackles including some key 3rd down conversions to keep the chains moving. After giving up 375 yards on the ground in week #2, the Manitoba Maniacs have to hope that Lumsden won't be putting up those kind of numbers.

QB Khari Jones - Somebody has to put Khari into a big oven somewhere and heat him up cause his performance so far has not been what we're used to seeing. Granted, not many QBs are performing up their potential at this time, even Jamarcus Fitzgerald of the Yetis. Jamarcus has thrown for over 500 yards but only has a 57% completion rate and has thrown 5 interceptions while only throwing 1 touchdown. Khari's new targets have yet to feel the love that Khari was spreading last year and when they do, this team will be very hard to beat.


The Ballers look to continue their momentum and improve on their offense against a Maniacs team that is looking for vengeance after giving up 500 yards of offense last week. The Ballers are set to hit a hard bump in their schedule with games coming up against Calgary, Drinkin' and the Hawaiian Hoyas and can use every little bit of momentum that they can get.