for immediate press release

March 4, 2006

Reapers finally have a win  under their belt

after the defeating the Venice Vikings

Well mark it down fans; the Reapers are off the Goose Egg Bus! Perhaps it's because of me? Maybe I'm their good luck charm? Hmmmm! Let's examine this, I’m out of the states for 3wks, I come back, make my first away game and Bam! They win. Your welcome guys. Anytime!  All jokes aside, Congratulations. If there is one team out there who's record does not reflect how good the team really is, it's this team. From the time they arrived, the Reapers looked loose and ready to play. Their numbers weren't as great as I saw the first game but they looked hungry! From the opening kickoff, the special teams set the tone by stopping the Vikings deep in their own territory. Then the Reapers "D" known as the Crypt Keepers held the Vikings to a quick three and out. The first quarter was a defensive battle with the Reapers offense able to move the ball but unable to produce points. The Vikings QB (#2)  then broke the ice on one of the most courageous runs of the year by weaving through defenders taking at least three vicious hits, staying on his feet, breaking loose and running 67 yards for a touchdown to make the score 6-0 after a missed extra points, in favor of the Vikings. The Reaper offense couldn't answer the Vikings score and was forced to punt. Punter Darin Pirkey kicked off a beautiful punt, which was covered deep by the special teams. The defense again did its thing and held the Vikings to a three and out, forcing a punt. The Reaper's forced the Viking's punter to kick it short due to from pressure from their special teams. Middle return man and LB Jim "Gray" Rogers took the punt 25 yards thru Viking defenders for the TD. The extra point was good giving the Reapers a 7-6 lead at the half. With momentum on their side, the Reapers returned from the half to receive the opening kick off, which Demetrius Simmons returned 70 yards for a TD. The extra point was missed wide right to give the Reapers a 13-6 lead in which they never relinquished due to the outstanding play of the defense which recorded 4 sacks, 4 passes defended and a forced fumble. Head Coach Mike Moore stated " I m very proud of the way the team has responded to all the adversity and trials they had to endure. Like the lose of six offensive starters to the N.I.F.L., working on their eight person as QB, having numerous guys quit due to losing season, which is far from over, plugging in safety's at QB, linebackers at O-Line and DB at D-Line. I mean it's crazy." But things like this happen, according to owner/player Chris McIntosh. He was quoted as saying " We make no excuses. We could have very easily wrote the season off and use the excuse of the guys that got the opportunity to play at the next level as the reason for us not doing well and yes its been hell losing so much offense at one time but we have 40 plus other guys that have to cowboy up and do what ever it takes to win. We made changes in the areas we were hurting in and they have all been positive moves. Now we are beginning to peak at just the right time." A few example that Mr. McIntosh told me and video I watched against the Ft. Pierce Fire when the Reapers lost 34-2 but held the Fire to under 78 total yards on offense. They also shut down the "The Mighty Bulls" scoring game by holding their offense to ZERO points but loss 14-0 due to the Bulls defense scoring twice. In my professional opinion, if the Reapers' offense comes full circle like they are doing and the defense stays game like it has been. If they make the playoffs, then this has all the makings of a very interesting playoff scenario. One, I am looking forward to covering.

Wayne Hoyte, Editor