Week 1 @ Carolina Panthers
Prior to the match, the game selected Quaterback Ben Reece and Wide Receiver Sam Orrin as the two most important players for the game. This suggestion was not exercised on the first play however, as Carolina won the toss and elected to receive. A long kick-off by Reece was touchbacked as the Panthers started from their own 20. 3 plays later and they were forced to punt after Half Back Terrell Davis could only pick up 8 yards. Starting on the CRGS 32, the first play, a rush by Tom Grange got the team absolutely nowhere. However Ben Reece threw a bullet for a 17 yard pass to Alex Pacey, the second wide receiver. A second first down was gained by Grange after 3 rushes. End of the first quarter, 0-0.
The second quarter started with Alex Pacey again receiving a pass and this time carrying on for a few more yards to the Carolina 1 yard line. Straight away, Tom Grange carried the ball over for a touchdown from the teams first drive of the season. Elliott Ralph kicked the extra point to seal the 9 play drive which gained 66 yards in total. On their next attack, the Panthers faired even worse then on their first, Trent Dilfer, the Quarterback, being intercepted on his first pass of the day, and Andre Dyson, in as a third cornerback, returned the intercption for a 41 yard touchdown. Ralph again kicked the extra point. Finally the Panthers were able to get a first down as Terrell Davis turned into the receiver, but that was as good as it got as they were forced to punt. Starting on their own 18 with little time left, CRGS appeared as though they would just run out the clock, but a big play made by Sam Orrin, 23 yards reception, meant that Ralph could kick a 42 yard field goal to close the half. Half time, 17-0 CRGS
After receiving the kick-off, CRGS had the ball on their own 23. Reece made 3 pass attempts, but none were caught and for the first time in the game, Carey was forced to punt the ball away. It was a monster, 48 yards long and pinned Carolina in their own half. From here, Dilfer and the Panthers were able to scrape 2 first downs, which set up the teams first breakthrough. A big play thrown to wide receiver Curtis Conway took the ball to the CRGS 11. He followed this up with a diving touchdown catch and Jose Cortez kicked the extra point to give Carolina hope. Reece fired a quick 22 yard pass to Tight End James Watt before the clock ran out. End of third quarter, 17-7 CRGS
Grange showed some real power on the next play, breaking out of 4 different tackles, which meant it was somewhat disappointing to only pick up 15 yards on the play. He continued in this manner, rushing for 4 yards to pick up his second touchdown. Ralph kicked the extra point and the CRGS team had picked up 77 yards from the 8 plays on the drive. However, their defense was not as effective, only a terrific Max Stechman tackle stopped James Williams, third choice wide receiver for the Panthers, from scoring a touchdown. It didn't matter though, as Dilfer and Conway connected for another touchdown soon after. The drive took 80 yards from only 3 plays. CRGS managed to grab the onside kick, and the Grange twins ran the clock down to 2 seconds before Ralph closed out the game with a 21 yard field goal. At full time the score was CRGS 27-14 Carolina Panthers. Andre Dyson got player of the game for his inspiratonal interception return.
Facts And Figures
Head to Head
(CRGS-Carolina)
Total Offense 238-181
Rushing Yards 109-16
Passing Yards 129-165
First Downs 12-6
Time of Possession 7:15-4:45
Offense
Reece - 82.1 rating, 129 yards passing, 7 completions from 14 attempts, 8 yards rushing from 2 attempts with an average of 4.0
T Grange - 95 yards rushing from 15 attempts with an average of 6.3 and 2 touchdowns
E Grange - 6 yards rushing from 1 attempt with an average of 6
Orrin - 1 reception for 23 yards and an average of 23
Pacey - 3 receptions for 60 yards and an average of 20
Watt - 2 receptions for 37 yards, an average of 18.5 and a pancake
Brown - 1 pancake
Sawkins - 1 pancake
Talbut - 1 pancake
Defense
Gilbert - 3 tackles
Pringle - 2 tackles
Dickinson - 1 tackle
Devereaux - 2 tackles
Pyman - 4 tackles
Stechman - 2 tackles
Dyson - 1 interception, 1 touchdown
Special Teams
Ralph - 2/2, 100% kick percentage, long of 42
Carey - 1 attempt, long of 48 and an average of 48
Dickinson - 1 return, total of 18, long of 18 and an average of 18
Stechman - no returns
Back
