Championship Pic

In the defining game of the Wasatch REVolution’s 2009 season – the championship game – the REV performed at a high level on all cylinders to win the RFML 2009 AAA Crown. Heading into the game, the REV’s opponent, the Utah Shock was the only team that had beaten the REV all year long. The lone blemish on the Shock’s schedule came at the end of the season – thanks to the outstanding play of the REV.

According the the RMFL Commissioner Jared Neuemeier,

Game Summary/Box Score – 2009 AAA CHAMPIONSHIP
June 27, 2009 Wasatch Revolution at Utah Shock @ Cottonwood High School

REVOLUTION AVENGE ONLY LOSS IN CAPTURING RMFL TITLE, 49-32!

Game Story by: Jared Neumeier

SALT LAKE CITY – In a rematch of what had become… clearly the two best teams in the Rocky Mountain Football League, the Wasatch Revolution, in their first season of existence, overwhelmed the Utah Shock with a swarming defense, accounting for 5 turnovers, including 4 interceptions, and overcame 185 yards in team penalties to avenge a regular season loss to the Utah Shock, with a 49-32 RMFL Championship victory Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

Under perfect weather conditions in the Salt Lake Valley, Wasatch quarterback, Charlie Peterson, passed for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns, including the first two of the game to JD Dawson to take a 15-0 lead going into the second quarter. After coming wide open for the first touchdown reception with 5:17 to go in the first quarter, a 5-yard catch to give the Revolution an 8-0 lead (the conversion was run in by Golden Whetman after a bad snap, but a great run), Dawson made an incredible touchdown catch after Charlie Peterson launched a deep pass from just inside the 50-yard line to Dawson who caught it simultaneously with a Shock defender and then kept his balance as he pulled away into the end zone for the 15-0 lead. Dawson would go on to catch 7 passes in the game for a team-leading 110 yards.

The Revolution extended the lead to 22-0 on the first of two Marcus Whalen touchdown runs with 8:15 to go in the first half., all of those stars don’t line up in that fashion, I expect the Bears will be “too much” and there will be a new king wearing the crown of Rocky Mountain Football League Champion. Prediction: Cache Valley 28 Rhino-Raiders 17.

The Shock would mount a late first half drive that would culminate in a 33-yard Colton Cook field goal with only 30 seconds left.

The Shock, who moved the ball well, oftentimes benefitting from numerous Wasatch penalties, were stymied by turnovers. Former RMFL MVP and 2009 candidate, Jordan Kjar, made several key mistakes, including 4 interceptions on the evening, several of which were deep in Wasatch territory. Kjar, however, would finish the evening with 287 yards passing on 37 completions and 4 touchdowns.

But the MVP of the game, as voted on by the game broadcasters, was the Revolution quarterback, Peterson.

Peterson, who’s own key interceptions in the regular season meeting may have lead to the earlier loss took better care of the ball than did Kjar in this game and that may have been the difference. Peterson through for the big yards and the big scores under almost constant harassment from the Shock defense; ultimately being sacked 6 times for 61 yards in the game.

In the second half, the Shock struck quickly with 12:26 to go in the third quarter on a the first Kjar touchdown pass to Colby Cook to draw the Shock to within 22-10.

It seemed, however, for each Shock score, the Revolution had an answer.

Peterson quickly lead the team down the field and found back up tight end, Andy Hatfield for a perfect 23-yard strike with 9:30 to go in the 3rd quarter to rebuild the lead back to 19 at 29-10.

After another Utah Shock Colton Cook field goal, the Revolution extended the lead on the second Whalen touchdown and Wasatch seemed insurmountably ahead 36-13.

But the Shock would com back.

Matt Thornton made a great tackle-breaking play with 10:40 to go in the 4th to pull the Shock to within 36-20… and this time, the Revolution did not have an immediate answer. The next two Shock drives, however, ended in interceptions, but the Shock defense held, behind Matt Christensen (5 tackles, 3 sacks), Matt Peterson (4-1/2 tackles, interception) and Ryan Morrow (4-1/2 tackles) held strong.

With 4:05 remaining in the game, the Shock would make it very interesting. Jordan Kjar found Chad Kjar for a 4-yard touchdown pass to pull the Shock to within a made two point play of being only one score down with plenty of time remaining in the game.

This time it was the Wasatch defense that asserted itself capturing Kjar on an attempted pass an squelching almost all hope of a final Shock rally and comeback.

Almost immediately after getting the ball, Peterson hit David Christensen on another long touchdown play and on the first play from scrimmage after the Revolution touchdown, Shawn Kelly scooped up a Chris Hooper fumble and raced in from 25-yards out with 3:17 to go in the game and suddenly, after the Shock was an eyelash shy of being one score down, the Revolution had the game in had 49-26.

Although Peterson and his talented receivers got top billing and the MVP award, it was the Revolution defense that kept the explosive Shock offense off balance, forcing the errors and turning the game around. Receiving top consideration for the games MVP’s were linebacker Darin Smith, who recorded 10 tackles on the day and defensive back/kick returner, Harold Regin who had 6 tackles and two interceptions while returning two kick-offs for an average of 37 yards each.

Side stories in the game may have included two powerful kickers. The Shocks Colton Cook and Wasatch’s, Golden Whetman put on a showcase of talent, kicking many kickoffs all the way through the end zone. The Wasatch Revolution penalties were significant. The Revolution were hit for 16 penalties for 185 yards, both RMFL Championship game records. Almost all of which stymied their own offensive drives or extended Shock drives in the game. After 3-1/2 quarters of relatively calm play, emotions broke out late. Although they were kept under control, some bad blood may have lead to the Revolution’s decision to continue to pass the ball and try to score late in the game rather than taking a knee and securing the win.

What are your thoughts on the REV’s 2009 Championship Game? Leave a comment here….