Pushing for the Playoffs
Robert Johnson, that’s his name… And if you’re a member of an opposing Defense, you may not want to make note of that. Week nine of the SFL season, the Canton Classics’ traveled to Detroit’s Bank Michigan Stadium to take on the Motor City V8s, and it was RB Robert Johnson who played like a man amongst boys.
Motor City had no defensive answer for Johnson (32 car., 153 yards). Play after play, the running back crashed through the defensive line and made it to the second level with regularity. But even with Johnson’s success running the ball, the Classics were forced into extended field goals on their first two series. Fortunately, K Robb Emms was able to deliver on both attempts (40 and 49 yards) giving the Classics a 6-0 lead.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Canton Defense showed it was also here to play. As Motor City QB Ibrahim Krieta dropped back for a long pass, FS Bob Funk (2 tck., 2 ints.) proved why he is tied for the league lead in interceptions by picking the ball straight out of the air and returning it 15 yards to the Motor City 31 yard line. After the change of possession, QB Cameron Curtis (15/20 for 111 yards) went to work, completing a pass in the middle of the field to WR Al Dillapree Sr. (3 rec. for 22 yards) and then a touchdown pass to WR Mike Twinscrew (5 rec. for 53 yards). At the two minute warning, K Robb Emms struck again with a 50 yard field goal, giving the Classics a 16-0 lead going into the locker room.
In the second half, every attempt the V8s made to gain momentum were thwarted by the Canton Defense. To start the third quarter, Motor City was able to gain possession by intercepting a pass attempt from Curtis to Dillapree, but as soon as they attempted another deep pass down the middle of the field, it was intercepted by SS Evan Lacey (6 tcks., 1 int.) handing the ball back over to the Offense. Robert Johnson went back to work as he stiff-armed his way to a 50 yard touchdown.
Starting the fourth quarter, with two consecutive field goals, Motor City managed to bring the score to 23-6. After the sounding of the two minute warning horn, the Classics back-ups gave up a 90 yard touchdown pass to the V8s, to make the score 23-13 with a little over a minute left in the game. After retrieving an onside kick, Motor City threw a long desperation pass and were again picked off by FS Bob Funk. Giving him his second interception of the game and sealing a Canton victory.
When asked for a comment, Funk said: “this game was a huge victory for us to get back to .500. The defensive line played well by getting pressure on the QB making it easier for us in the secondary to get 4 picks as a unit.”
September 17th, the Canton Classics will be traveling to the Pacific Northwest for the first time to face the Seattle Nemesis. The game will be played at Dark Woods Stadium at 9:05 P.M. EST. Be sure to watch as the Classics do their best to continue to push for the SFL playoffs!
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