Big Passing Plays Payoff for Phoenix

by Amy Joyner

The Missoula Phoenix cashed in on their offensive skill and defensive strength, winning 46-15 over the Great Falls Gladiators today in first round of RMFL AA playoff action at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Missoula’s own Clint Colwell counted for the first 6 points as he took home an 11 yard screen pass from Shane Jurasek. Mark Spencer’s extra point had the Phoenix leading 7-0 through the end of the 1stquarter. Gavin Johnson scampered in a 3 yard run widening the lead to 13-0 Phoenix with 5:54 left in the 2nd.

A brief, but threatening storm with hail, thunder and lightening hitting Mount Sentinel force a 10 minute recess to the locker rooms for the teams when the officials called for a 10 minute hiatus because the danger lightening posed with the stadium’s aluminum bleachers.

When the players returned it, didn’t take long for the Phoenix to dominate. A 39 yard touchdown pass to Tyler Boaz preceded a denied two-point conversion attempt, leaving the score at 19-0, Phoenix, to end the 2nd quarter.

Early in the 3rd, Great Falls’ offense had a chance to prove their credibility with a 72 yard pass on first play of the half. Keith Deboo scored on a short run up the gut with 11:50 into the 3rd, with a valid PAT. Not a minute later, Jurasek hit receiver Dave Garza on a 66 yard pass for a TD. The extra point was muffed with a false start.

The score stood at 25-7 as both teams shared a series of turnovers. Just 11:10 into the 3rd, an option flick to Gavin Johnson, his 14 yard run and Spencer’s kick brings the Phoenix lead to 32 – 7.

Then, with 6:05 remaining in the 4th, the play of the game had Tyler Boaz capitalizing on a 96 yard Jurasek pass. The PAT was good, leaving the score at 39-7. Taking the momentum even higher, Mike Hardenburgh intercepted a Great Falls pass and returned it 31 yards fir a defensive TD. With Spencer’s addition, the Phoenix let 46-7 at 4:24 left in the 4th.

Great Falls decided a bit too late for their best threat when they had the ball on the 5 with 12 seconds left. A 5 yard run by Deboo and a 2 point conversion brought the final score to 46-15.

The Phoenix advance to the next level of playoff action next Saturday. Date and opponent will be announced in the next few days and be posted on misssoulaphoenix.com.

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Unofficial Stats

(upon review of game film, official stats will be posted on missoulaphoenix.com)

Passing:
Shane Jurasek: 15 of 27 for 382 yards 4 TD, 0 INT

Rushing:
Johnson 15 for 78 yards, 2 TD
Jurasek 2 for 34
Colwell 2 for 5 yards
Mihlader 3 for 1 yard

Receiving:
Garza 3 for 100, 1 TD
Boaz 2 for 135, 2 TD
McCool 3 for 37
Byers 2 for 50
Gavin Johnson 2 for 23
Colwell 1 for 14, 1 TD
Sanderson 1 for 15
Lumpkin 1 for 8

Defense:
Hardenburgh 1 TD on Interception, 31 yard return.