Vigilantes" Run Kills OKC"s First Half Rally
Down 21-20 to the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz after leading 20-0, the Dallas Vigilantes were staring down the barrel of another game that got away.
But in the first arena football game in Dallas in just under two years, a loss just wasn't going to be acceptable.
After a Oklahoma City touchdown with 1:56 left in the half on a 28-0 run, which included a interception return for a touchdown and three touchdown passes by Colin Drafts, to secure the 55-34 win and their first win as a franchise.
"That [second quarter] was like a roller coaster," Drafts said.
"You feel good, up 20-0, and then you have to play to turn it around.
That was the biggest point swing I've ever been a part of.
" Dallas got started early, scoring two minutes into the game on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Drafts to Larry Brakins, another first at home for the team.
The defense continued to dominate again forcing a stop their first time out which resulted in a touchdown for the Vigilantes and a missed field goal which was returned by Kenny Henderson.
Then, things began to turn south for the Vigilantes.
The second quarter began with a seemingly harmless touchdown by Oklahoma City, but the fumble game began shortly after.
Derek Lee made a big catch but like in the Tulsa game, fumble thereafter, resulting in seven more points for the Yard Dawgz.
The Yard Dawgz caught another break when Josh White fumbled and allowed Oklahoma City to go up 21-20.
But instead of giving up, the Vigilantes answered fire with fire.
After a Derek Lee touchdown grab, Chris Brown took a tipped Tommy Grady back to the house to put Dallas up 34-21 with 12 seconds left.
The Vigilantes, though, weren't quite done yet.
Mark Lewis knocked the ensuing kickoff off the upright, allowing Dallas to recover at midfield.
Drafts promptly found Brakins on a slant route to end the half up 41-21.
"We had two bye weeks, and we knew how important this game was for us," Drafts said.
"To get the first [win] here in front of the fans, that was big.
" In the second half, both teams found the end zone twice.
With the loss, Oklahoma City falls to 1-3 on the season and last place in the Southwest Division.
The Yard Dawgz travel back to OKlahoma City to host division opponent Bossier-Shreveport Saturday night.
Dallas, as mentioned, grabs their first win of the 2010 season and the first win for an AFL team in just under two years.
They improve to 1-2 on the season and are in third place in the division.
They'll stay at home next week to take on the struggling Orlando Predators.
But in the first arena football game in Dallas in just under two years, a loss just wasn't going to be acceptable.
After a Oklahoma City touchdown with 1:56 left in the half on a 28-0 run, which included a interception return for a touchdown and three touchdown passes by Colin Drafts, to secure the 55-34 win and their first win as a franchise.
"That [second quarter] was like a roller coaster," Drafts said.
"You feel good, up 20-0, and then you have to play to turn it around.
That was the biggest point swing I've ever been a part of.
" Dallas got started early, scoring two minutes into the game on a nine-yard touchdown pass from Drafts to Larry Brakins, another first at home for the team.
The defense continued to dominate again forcing a stop their first time out which resulted in a touchdown for the Vigilantes and a missed field goal which was returned by Kenny Henderson.
Then, things began to turn south for the Vigilantes.
The second quarter began with a seemingly harmless touchdown by Oklahoma City, but the fumble game began shortly after.
Derek Lee made a big catch but like in the Tulsa game, fumble thereafter, resulting in seven more points for the Yard Dawgz.
The Yard Dawgz caught another break when Josh White fumbled and allowed Oklahoma City to go up 21-20.
But instead of giving up, the Vigilantes answered fire with fire.
After a Derek Lee touchdown grab, Chris Brown took a tipped Tommy Grady back to the house to put Dallas up 34-21 with 12 seconds left.
The Vigilantes, though, weren't quite done yet.
Mark Lewis knocked the ensuing kickoff off the upright, allowing Dallas to recover at midfield.
Drafts promptly found Brakins on a slant route to end the half up 41-21.
"We had two bye weeks, and we knew how important this game was for us," Drafts said.
"To get the first [win] here in front of the fans, that was big.
" In the second half, both teams found the end zone twice.
With the loss, Oklahoma City falls to 1-3 on the season and last place in the Southwest Division.
The Yard Dawgz travel back to OKlahoma City to host division opponent Bossier-Shreveport Saturday night.
Dallas, as mentioned, grabs their first win of the 2010 season and the first win for an AFL team in just under two years.
They improve to 1-2 on the season and are in third place in the division.
They'll stay at home next week to take on the struggling Orlando Predators.
Source...