REV win and advance to 2009 RMFL Championship

Rev 24 - Blitz 10

REV DEFENSE DOMINATES IN 24-10 VICTORY

6 weeks ago in St. George Utah, the Wasatch REVolution suited up against a talented St. George Blitz team in front of 3,000 fans and proceeded to put a pounding on the Blitz in front of their home crowd. On Saturday, June 20, the Blitz were no where close to being the same squad that lost 48-0 at home. With the South Division championship on the line, the Wasatch REVolution ultimately overcame turnovers by QB Charlie Peterson to win the game, 24-10.

With South Jordan weather being wet throughout the afternoon, the tempo of this football game was much different. It took the REV offense a while to get rolling as the Blitz were determined to win this game. Costly turnovers by errant passes and tipped passes resulted in 6 Blitz takeaways. However, the REV defense was up to the challenge all night. Despite one long run by RB Kyle Coop and a chip shot field goal at the end of half – the REV gave up NOTHING. Without question, the REVOLUTION defense dominated from start to finish.

The REV finished with 6 sacks as linebackers Clint Ackerman and Darin Smith – just as they have all year – rose to the occasion to force the Blitz offense into multiple 3rd and long situations. It seemed the Blitz wanted to run the old “Wing T” offense to start the game – but the REV defensive line of Sam and Sean Matagi, Vince Taunuu and Setema Gali were way to much for the Blitz offensive line.

As well as the REV defense played, the REV offense was mired by penalties, sloppy play and poor throwing decisions by QB Charlie Peterson. With 3 tipped interceptions, the Blitz were getting in passing lanes and the Blitz defensive line was stout. Despite throwing for 358 yards, Peterson just couldn’t get the needed spark in the 1st half. The score at halftime was 9-3.

At the start of the 3rd quarter, the REV offense again sputtered and forced the action back on the defense. Cris Carter, the RMFL all-time leader in interceptions, answered the bell and put the ball back in the REV’s offense hands. On a broken play, an open TE Ryan Seely made a circus catch after the ball was tipped by Blitz All-Star Misi Tupe. Seely would record only 1 catch – but it was a crucial one that put the REV up 16-3 off the Whetman PAT.

With 1:15 left in the 3rd the Blitz found paydirt as RB Kyle Coop took a counter and dashed down his sideline with a convoy of Blitz o-line in front of him. This forced the score to 16-10 and the momentum shift was felt by the REV home crowd.

After another faulty drive, the REV punted and the onus was back on the defense. Again, another timely turnover inside the Blitz 30 yard line. With 11 minutes left in the game, the REV offense had the ball and the lead. How would they respond?

The REV offense would respond with a 7 minute time grinding drive that would put the game away for good. The REV converted two 3rd and short situations and kept the clock churning behind the powerful legs of RB Marcus Whalen. After a few completions to WR/Head Coach Eric Drage, the REV would scoot down to the 6 yard line where Marcus would pound into the end zone after the offensive line manhandled the Blitz defensive line.

The REV would go on to win 24-10. With 6 turnovers by the offense, it’s incredible to see the Blitz were only able to score 10 points against a defense on a mission. Even without RMFL All-Stars Pene Talamaveo and Tracy Ita – the REV defense performed all night long.

This game showcased the DOMINATION of the Wasatch REVolution defense…

Defense

No. Name Tackles ForLoss Sacks Int Ret TD Long PassTip Fum Rec Ret TD Long Frcd Fum K-Blocks

#1 Harold Ragin 3.5 0 0 1 11 0 11 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
#3 Chris Carter 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
#7 Jared Harward 4.5 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#12 Sean Matagi 3.5 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
#14 Matt Shoda 5.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#15 George Uyema 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#22 Clayton Wolf 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#23 Shawn Kelly 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#36 Darin Smith 7.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#45 Clint Ackerman 12 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#55 Setema Gali 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#71 Teag Whiting 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#75 Sam Matagi 3.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#92 Matt Taliulu 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#96 Vince Tauanuu 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Other than the turnovers, the REV offense did move the ball throughout the afternoon. WR’s Toby Christensen and Dave Christensen continue to perform at high levels…

Offensive Receiving

No. Name Rec Yards TD Long

#2 David Christensen 4 120 0 66
#18 Trevor Jensen 1 9 0 9
#19 Rich Garden 1 5 0 5
#20 Toby Christensen 9 157 1 38
#32 Marcus Whalen 2 7 0 7
#33 Perry Laulu 2 8 0 4
#80 Ryan Seely 1 34 1 34
#81 Eric Drage 3 35 0 16
#83 Andy Hadfield 1 8 0 8

With the win, the Wasatch REVolution move to 9-1 on the season and will face the 10-0 Utah Shock in the RMFL Championship game. The game will be played on Saturday, June 27th at Cottonwood High School at 7 p.m. The REV will be wearing their RED uniforms.