RUSH Victorious Over Outlaws
Story by Paul T. Zeien Jr.
Photos By Ronald K. Ramos
Roscoe, IL- It was a beautiful 75° degrees at Riverside Park in Roscoe Saturday night where the Roscoe Rush took on the team that spoiled their championship hopes last year. The Franklin Outlaws were in town for the IFL opening game and the Rush was ready to return the favor. As a reminder the Outlaws knocked the Rush out of the playoffs last year with a 27-21 victory off of a last minute touchdown reception.
The Rush was tasked with the opening kick-off and #26 K.C. Goad booted a good one deep into the Outlaw territory. The Outlaw back carried that ball out to the 27 yard line before being brought down by a swarming Rush kick-off team. This set up the Outlaw’s 1st possession of the game. The Outlaws started with a draw play which they would use numerous times throughout the game. The first play put the Outlaws in Rush territory with a sizable gain of about 29 yards. Broch Meyers, #94, quickly squashes the early momentum that the Outlaws were creating with the first quarterback sack of the game. This puts the Outlaws back on the Rush 47 yard line. With 6:28 remaining in the first quarter the Rush hold the Outlaws and force a punt. The Rush take over 1st and 10 on their own 18 yard line.
The Rush march down the field and star running back #22, John Wiggins breaks through the right side of the line and sprints down the sideline for a 26 yard gain. There was a penalty on the play which brought the ball back giving the Rush 1st and 10 on the Outlaw 46 yard line.
1:08 remaining in the 1st quarter and the Rush fumble the ball and the Outlaws recover. This put the Outlaws on the 31 yard line. They were unable to capitalize on the turnover and 1st quarter ends with the score Rush 0, Outlaws 0.
The 2nd quarter was a hard fought battle by both teams. The Rush had their first possession begin on their own 35 yard line. With 9:51 on the clock the Rush was forced to punt, the kick was knocked out of the air and a Rush player caught the ball only to be brought down right away on the Rush 33 yard line. The Rush defense holds the Outlaws and force 4th and 6 yards to go. The Outlaws are on the Rush 28 yard line and they attempt a 4th down conversion. James Dock, #4, nearly picks off the Outlaw pass squashing their advance. The Rush takeover 1st and 10 on their own 28 yard line.
Justin Opengo, #10 continues to excite the fans with his receiving and his running abilities. Opengo caught a 20 yard pass from quarterback Jason Hufford, #14. This gave the Rush a 1st down on the 46 yard line. The pass forces Franklin Outlaws to call a timeout with only 2:21 remaining in the first half of the game.
At 1:35 remaining in the first half Dontai Patrick, #5, on a mid field crossing pattern pulls in a pass while being fully stretched out in the middle of three Outlaw defenders. The Rush had 1st and 10 on the Outlaw 31 yard line. The clock continues count down and with only :46 left the Outlaws call a timeout. The first half of regulation play runs out with the Rush attempting two field goals that just fell short of the mark. At the end of the first half it was Rush 0, Outlaws 0.
Opengo takes the 2nd half kick-off and lights up the kick-off team as well as the crowd. Dodging back and forth and reversing direction is Opengo’s specialty and it gets extra yardage every time he touches the ball. He gives the Rush offense a 1st and 10 on the 30 yard line.
From the 33 yard line Hufford lobbed a pass to #81 Brandon Schultz who sprinted past the Outlaw defense and was finally brought down on the 1 yard line. This set up a Brian Kelly, #33, touchdown. It took 2 plays to punch it in but Kelly hammered into the left side of the line for the score. There was 7:20 on the clock and Julie Harshbarger, #99 stepped in for the PAT. It was clean through the uprights and the score was Rush 7, Outlaws 0. The Rush would threaten again around the 2 minute mark in the 3rd but would not capitalize. The 3rd quarter would end with the score Rush 7, Outlaw 0.
The beginning of the 4th quarter brought another score for the Roscoe Rush. It was setup with a Hufford pass to Ariel Hougabook, #8 on a slant pass across the middle of the field. The 37 yard pass play setup the 9 yard touchdown reception from Hufford to Opengo. A diving catch into the left corner of the end zone gave the Rush the 6 points. Harshbarger’s PAT was no good and the score was Rush 13, Outlaws 0.
At 6:50 remaining in the 4th the Outlaws scored their first touchdown. It came on a pass play along the right side of the field. The Rush defensive backfield was stretched out and the Outlaws capitalized. The play was 79 yards and was followed up with a successful PAT making the score Rush 13, Outlaws 7.
The Rush fielded the Outlaw kick-off. Penalties on the Outlaws brought the ball to the Outlaw 39 yard line. Wiggins takes the Hufford hand-off and breaks through the line and rushes for the end zone for the score. Harshbarger’s PAT was no good and the score was Rush 19, Outlaws 7.
The remaining hopes of victory left the Outlaws at 4:13. #24, Geoff Morehead, recovers an Outlaw fumble to ice the cake. Two minutes later the clearly beaten Outlaws call a timeout hoping to come up with a plan for a score. To no avail, the Rush held the Outlaws and took over on downs. The Rush just used Wiggins to chew up the clock by pounding the ball up the middle. Wiggins would have the last carry of the game and the Rush would win 19-7.
Brian Kelly had this to say to his team following the game “Heck of a game guys, heck of a game. I know good things are coming we came out to fight and we did. I just get that vibe from you guys. This is our first 4-0 start ever.” Rob Feltner “Lets keep this up guys we are 4-0 first time ever.”
After a hard fought battle it was clear that the Roscoe Rush had not forgotten the 27-21 loss in last years playoffs. These teams will meet again and it should be just as exciting. Congratulations Rush on your win.
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