The last time the Warriors were all on the field together, they were celebrating the UTFL fall 2015 championship. A lot has happened since then. Largely due to the fact that most of the Warriors' players also compete in the RMFL which takes place at the same time, the team decided to forgo the UTFL spring season. So, without the defending champions there to put up a fight, the always dangerous Happy Valley Fallouts claimed the championship. In the meantime, the Warriors continued recruiting, always looking to get better. This year, the Warriors not only seek to win back their championship, but they also look to be ranked among the best ever to compete in the league. That goal began last Saturday as the Warriors started the season taking on the West Jordan WolfPack.
The game started with the WolfPack receiving the ball. The WolfPack, aided by a few Warrior penalties, were able to put together a long, time-consuming drive. That drive, however, was ended at the goalline by the stout Warrior defense. Linebacker Siolo Toala sacked the WolfPack quarterback, who was then forced to look to the endzone a couple plays later, but was intercepted by Warrior newcomer, safety Taylor Van Dongen. The Warriors quickly drove down the field, but were unable to punch the ball in from the 5-yard line and turned the ball over on downs. The defense stepped up and forced a three-and-out, receiving the punt at their own 25-yard line. QB Jeff Wissler then connected on two long passes, first to Brady Young, then to Bryan Engstrom who broke some ankles and walked in for the touchdown. Unable to get the extra-point, the Warriors took the lead, 6 to 0. A good return by the WolfPack put them in great position to score before halftime, but again Van Dongen stepped in front of a pass in the endzone. Only up 6 was not where the Warriors wanted to be at halftime, but that's where they found themselves.
The second half proved to be a different story as the Warriors came out firing. On the first series, Wissler found running back Zach Geurts out of the backfield. Geurts then proceeded to run around and through would-be tacklers on his way to a 50-yard TD. Wissler then hit receiver Travis Anderson for the 2-point conversion, putting the Warriors up 14 to 0. The defense then put up another bit of great defense, highlighted by a big sack by LB Tom Dorber and a blocked punt by Toala, giving the ball back to the Warriors on the 10-yard line. On the next play, Wissler hit receiver Scott Bryson for the quick score, followed by a quick pass to Geurts for the 2-point conversion, putting the Warriors up 22 to 0. The next WolfPack series was stopped when IK Ubani intercepted the pass and returned it to the 5-yard line. Wissler then hit CJ Ubani for the TD to put the Warriors up 28 to 0.
At this point, the WolfPack, in desperation, were forced to abandon caution and go for it on 4th down, leading to a turnover-on-downs and another quick passing TD as Wissler hit IK Ubani on a quick screen that he took in for the score, putting the Warriors up 34 to 0. The WolfPack attempted to put in a new QB to change things up, but the newcomer did not fair any better. On the first play, defensive end Vic McKenzie came in untouched and buried the QB for a sack. Two plays later, with memories of that sack still fresh in his mind, the new QB fumbled the snap, allowing McKenzie to fall on the fumble. The Warriors then decided to have a little fun and try out the Wildcat formation. They soon regretted that as it resulted in a fumble that gave the WolfPack the ball back with great field position. With hope of a TD in their minds, the WolfPack aired it out on the first play but found the Warriors' Bryson all alone in the middle of the field. Bryson then took the interception and pitched it to IK Ubani who took it back for a TD to end the game, the final being 40 to 0.
The gameball goes to RB/LB IK Ubani's all-around game, finishing with 5 rushing yards, 20 receiving yards, a receiving TD, 1 solo tackle, 2 assisted tackles, 1 interception, and a defensive TD. Credit also goes to the whole defensive unit, who limited the WolfPack to 50 yards of total offense. The WolfPack QBs were limited to 6 for 21 passing, 35 yards, 4 interceptions, 3 sacks, and a fumble, which totals a 0.0 passer rating. The Warriors (1-0) continue their quest for greatness next week as they will take on the Northern Utah Brigade (0-0) at noon next Saturday.
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