Wasatch Revolution

Ryan Seely with 1 of his 7 catches

In a game that was hyped at the beginning of the season as a prospective “Game of the Year” within the RMFL… it turned out to be much more of a “dud” for the Cache Valley Bears. The Wasatch REVolution put on a clinic and constantly hit, smacked, pressured and ultimately dominated last season’s 2008 RMFL Champion. The Bears were more like the Cubs – lovable losers. They managed to put up a fight at the beginning of the game as the REV only led 12-6 at halftime.  However, by the end of the game they were clobbered 39-6.  With 2 weeks off and a little bit of “rust” as Coach Ev Matagi called it, the REV look to get back into dominating form as the regular season comes to an ending and the playoff race begins.

Here’s a recap of the game:

1st half

The REV started on the defensive side of the ball and forced a quick “3 and out” for Cache Valley as CVB QB Dan Sundstrom was unable to get any type of rythm to throw the ball as the REV defense “brought the heat” and forced error after error by the Cache Valley offense. After forcing the punt, the REV offense was unable to generate any offense with a “3 and out” of their own. The scare came early in the game when Ryan Seely was clobbered on a crossing route. It seemed to wake Seely up as he had his best outing of the season.

Defensive safety David Stroshine was special all night long for the REV defense. Stepping in to a bobbled catch attempt, Stroshine grabbed the wobbling ball on an INT and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. It was the 5th interception return for a touchdown by the REV defense. That put the REV up 6-0. Minutes later, Stroshine would have another interception and the REV offense would capitalize with a Charlie Peterson to Matt Shull 48 yard TD reception.

The Bears would answer the bell as they scored on a pass to TE Ben Moa. It was the only score the Bears would have the rest of the night as the league leading REV defense suffocated and blasted the former champs all night long. At the end of the 1st half, the score was 12-6 in favor of the REV.

2nd Half

Left tackle JP Salisbury was not a happy camper at halftime and he let his teammates know it. He called a 12-6 lead “embarrassing” and challenged his offensive teammates to stop playing down to the level of the Cache Valley Bears. Whatever adjustments the REV made at halftime, it worked. Taking the opening drive 80 yards, QB Charlie Peterson completed 5 of 6 passes including a broken play long bomb TD pass to WR Dave Christensen on a 23 yard strike. The Bears jumped off sides on that play and wisely Peterson kept the play alive and threw a high arching toss which Christensen attacked and caught. Golden Whetman would add the PAT and the REV were up 19-6. The momentum just built stronger and stronger from that point.

Minutes after another sack by “Superman” Setema Gali, the Bears were forced to punt. This drive the REV were determined to take the running game to a new level. After a few completions and plays led the REV down to the Bears 3 yard line, the REV called in the “BIG HOG” formation. After a 5-yard penalty forced the REV to back up, the REV stuck to the ground attack. Behind the exceptional running of RB Marcus Whalen and the dominating pancake blocks of RT Aaron McCubbins, the REV scored on a 9 yard scamper by Marcus Whalen. That put the REV up 26-6 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

As the game progressed, the Wasatch REVolution defense continued to put the clamps down on any hope of a comeback. LB Darin Smith was all over the field as he had 5.5 tackles and Clint Ackerman would add 8. The REV constantly forced punts and put up 6 sacks on the night. John Fenene, Tracy Ita, Matt Taliulu all recorded individual sacks. It was just “that kind of night” for the Bears.

At the top of the 4th quarter, QB Charlie Peterson would make 2 big plays that would put the game away for good. Facing a 3rd and 10 situation, the Bears blitzed and Peterson was left for dead as 3 Bears defenders made a dashing beeline towards the 2008 RMFL Offensive MVP, Peterson made a few Fran Tarkenton moves and was running away backwards for about 30 yards – then trying to muster enough to throw the ball out of bounds he saw Marcus Whalen and chucked it. Whalen caught the ball and moved upfield for a 24 yard gain. 1st down REV. A few plays later, after getting sack and facing another 3rd and long situation, Peterson stepped up hard in the pocket to avoid the Bears defenders and found TE Ryan Seely over the middle. Seely made Bears defenders miss and casually strolled into the endzone with a 53 yard score. That was the night for Peterson as the REV led 33-6 and put the game away. QB Dakota LaBounty added to Seely’s night as he threw 2 great receptions to Seely – one of which went for a touchdown. Dakota LaBounty has filled in admirably every time his name has been called. He’s a starter for any other team in the RMFL hands down.

Game Over – REV win 39-6.

Game Notables and Stellar Performances

• WR Dave Christensen recorded another 100 yard game with 5 catches for 106 yards and 1 TD.
• LB Clint Ackerman led all tacklers with 8.
• DL Pene Talamevao stepped in at RG after an injury on the offense line and held down the fort with precision.
• Former New England Patriot and Super Bowl champion Setema “Superman” Gali finished with 2 sacks.
• Former Tennessee Titan and hard hitting safety Dave Stroshine had 2 interceptions – one being returned for a TD. Both he and his brother Matt have a “pick 6″ on the season.
• QB Charlie Peterson finished 17/27 for 369 yards and 3 touchdowns. He needs 4 TD passes in next weeks game to break the RMFL record for most TD passes in a season.
• K Golden Whetman continued his streak of 3 games of “making a field goal” on kick off’s. Golden has the strongest leg in the RMFL.
• TE Ryan Seely had his best outing of his career. He finished with 7 catches for 142 yards and 2 TD’s. His longest play of the night went for 53 yards.
• League receptions leader and TD leader Toby Christensen sat out the game with a nagging ankle injury.
• Defensive Coordinator Ev Matagi proudly has the most dominant defense in the RMFL.  The REV are in 1st place in the crucial tie-breaking “Points Against” category.
• Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Eric Drage proudly has the most dominant offense in the RMFL.  The REV have scored over 313 points in just 7 games.  The REV average over 44 points a game.
• Attendance for the REV vs Bears game was just over 800.  The REV are “catching on” in the South Jordan local community.

Were you at the game? Leave a comment here and tell us what you think about the 2009 Wasatch REVolution!