Thunder Comeback Proves Exciting

Jon Becker – NSO

Tonight’s game was the last of the regular season for the 3-4 Thunder. The Thunder, trying to right their ship after a three game slide would play host to the 2-5 Blue jays of Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Superior, WI, at the beautiful National Bank of Commerce Spartan Complex Stadium.

Q1

The scoring started quick in this one with the first drive for the Blue jays resulting in seven points. Wide receiver #81 Terrell Price caught a 21 yard touchdown pass from quarterback #12 Edgar Blackbull Jr. The PAT was good by kicker #3 Rachael Evans. Blue jays leading 7-0.

On the Thunder’s first play from scrimmage after the Blue jay touchdown, Te’Vaughn Hurse nearly broke a 61 yard touchdown run. As Hurse dashed up the sidelines he was ruled out-of-bounds near the 20 yard line and play was called back. The drive wouldn’t result any points, but did see Thunder quarterback #14 Kendarian Carter sidelined on injury.

A few drives later after a missed Blue jay field goal attempt, as time expired in the first quarter, the Thunder would take the lead. Backup quarterback #10 Jarred White, in for the injured Carter, aired out an 81 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver #1 Damon Barnes. Thunder look to attempt PAT, but fake it as holder and backup quarterback #15 Aaron Nelson pitches the ball to Damon Barnes on an end-around for the successful 2 point conversion. Thunder leading 7-8.

Q2

Turnovers and defense were the story of quarter two. Neither offense could sustain offensive drives. The Thunder would hold their lead going into halftime 7-8.

Q3

After halftime the Blue jays were quick to take back their lead after a pivotal personal foul penalty – unsportsmanlike conduct – was called against the Thunder setting the Blue jays up with 1^st and goal. Running back #9 Michael Lewis found the end zone on a 5 yard touchdown run up the middle. The PAT was good by Evans. Blue jays leading 14-8.

Penalties wreaked havoc for the Thunder in the 3^rd quarter. A pass interference call halfway through the quarter against the Thunder set up another 1^st and goal opportunity for the Blue jays. Blue jay’s running back, Lewis, would score his second rushing touchdown of the day setting up Evans for another PAT attempt. The PAT would be blocked by the Thunder but recovered by the Blue jays in the end zone for a successful 2 point conversion.  Blue jays leading 22-8

The Thunder, needing some sort of spark, handed the ball off to running back #4 Josh Bender. Bender found some rare running room and took the ball into the end zone for a 26 yard touchdown scamper. Carter, back in the game would find Hurse on the screen for a successful 2 point conversion. Blue jays leading 22-16.

Q4

An impressive 4^th quarter drive put together by quarterback Edgar Blackbull Jr. resulted in another Michael Lewis rushing touchdown from 12 yards out. The Blue jay 2 point conversion attempt was no good. Blue jays leading 28-16.

With less than five minutes to play the Thunder answered the Blue jay drive with an impressive drive of their own. Kendarian Carter would find the end zone on a keeper up the middle from 1 yard out after a pass interference call went against the Blue jays in the end zone. Thunder 2 point conversion no good. Blue jays leading 28-22.

With time winding down the Thunder defense took over forcing the Blue jays to punt on their next offensive series. Thunder Linebacker #52 Keonte Connelly broke through the offensive line blocking the punt. The Blue jays would recover the blocked punt back on their own 9 yard line setting the Thunder up with a 1^st and goal of their own. With a 1:31 left to play, quarterback Kendarian Carter would find, wide open, wide receiver #18 Tyrone Eastern in the flat. Eastern took the pass into the end zone tying the game at 28. On the Thunder 2 point conversion attempt Carter would find a leaping Barnes in the back of the end zone. 2 point conversion attempt successful. Thunder leading 28-30.

With under a minute remaining in the game, the Blue jays found themselves trialing for the first time since the halfway point. Blue jay quarterback, Blackbull Jr. in need of some big yardage, would launch a pass down the sidelines only to be intercepted by Thunder defensive back #5 Raquan Sherwood. Sherwood, who jumped the route perfectly, would deliver the dagger to the Blue jays and find himself in the end zone for a pick six. The 2 point conversion attempt was no good.  Thunder leading 28-36.

Time would expire and the Thunder would emerge victorious 28-36 ending up 4-4 on the season.

It was a terrific comeback for the Thunder, and a much needed complete team victory. The victory should give them some much needed momentum heading into the playoffs next weekend.

The Thunder will face off against Rochester, in Rochester, next weekend for the first round of playoffs.