Phoenix Sloppy, yet hold off pesky Mayhem
It’s not a secret, the Milton Mayhem do not travel well. Having only 8 players show up to their week 1 game, and twelve show up to their week 2 game, no one knew what to expect come week 3. Thankfully, they showed in force, and put on a nice display of heart before the Phoenix faithful at Frank Bucci Field in Wilmot.
For the second week in a row, the Phoenix came out slow, and failed to dictate the pace of the game the way they were hoping to. That is a difficult thing to say when the defense forced a punt and the offense scrambled down the field to score on their first possession, a twelve yard run by rookie QB Ryan Schuk. However the game had an odd feeling to it; time seemed to be moving too fast and the defense was on the field for far longer than anyone wanted. The Mayhem sped up the game by using long huddles and a running QB which ate up considerable time. By the point in the game that the Mayhem scored their first points of the season, on a broken play no less, there was only 1:10 left on the first quarter clock and the Phoenix offense only had two possessions in the game. The Phoenix would need only forty seconds to score again before the half ended, when Ryan Schuk connected with Kyle Ritter on a nice catch and run. This was set up by a catch and run by Ronnie Orr for 55 yards. The Phoenix would take a 14-6 lead into the break
In the second half the Phoenix defense again had a small breakdown and let the Mayhem score on a broken play. If anything, the Mayhem have a promising QB and stud at HB, and together they caused major heartburn for the defense. With the score at 14-12, the Phoenix offense would drive the field again to essentially put the game on ice, Nico Hardcastle scored from five yards out to make the game 20-12. On the Mayhem’s next possession, a snap went over the quarterback into the backfield in which was recovered by the Milton player only a millisecond before TJ Dotson jumped upon him and caused a fumble. Jesse Wine recovered the ball, which set up the Phoenix’s final score, a five yard pitch and catch between Schuk and Ritter.
All in all, the Phoenix did enough to put away a feisty opponent that truth be told, they were expected to beat. If the Phoenix can claim to have a main weakness, it is still learning how to play good football when expected to be the better team. In earnest, this unit has spent almost its entire existence being the underdog, so it is no surprise that this team is learning its lessons as it goes along.
| Top Awards
Offense
Kyle Ritter (15 of 24)
Defense
Jon Rogalski (12 of 18)
Reserve
Nico Hardcastle (10 of 23)
Play
Ronye Brown (8 of 21)
Butter & Sryup
Jon Rogalski
Hustle
Codee Sigler
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