Phoenix Topple Helena
by Amy Joyner
An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed a day of football under a cloudless sky Saturday at Washington- Grizzly Stadium as the Missoula Phoenix semi-pro team won its first game of the season 34-12 against the Helena Titans. Actually, it was the team’s inaugural game playing in black and orange as the Phoenix.
Phoenix QB Shane Jurasek rolls out to pass against the Titans
“I thought our young guys played well,” said Head Coach Matt Softich, who had coached the previous semi-pro team in Missoula the past two years. The Phoenix are the newest team admitted to the Rocky Mountain Football League.
“We had some first-game jitters that cost us,” he added, referring to the young team’s 10 penalties.
Even with those missteps costing them 85 yards, Softich said, “It was a good game because we were able to win while learning what we have to do better.”
Next Saturday, the Phoenix travel to play the Great Falls Gladiators. Softich explained his plan, saying, “We need to cut our penalties down, execute a little better in the running game on offense, and tackle a little better on defense.”
“You never apologize for a win,” he told. “Helena played tough. You have to hand it to them.
“We played much better in the second half. We improved during the game, which was my goal.”
Softich pointed out his pleasure with the performance of two young Phoenix players, Tony Sanderson, who had one interception and six tackles. Kevin Bereta had four tackles.
Two seasoned players, who happen to have come to Missoula from the Helena Titans also showed their muscle. Wide receiver Dave Garza set a team record of most catches in a single game with seven, and quarterback Shane Jurasek set a team records for attempts (30), completions (19) and yards (312).
In addition to Garza’s three scoring receptions, Shane Byers brought home six more points. Jurasek scored with a quarterback sweep halfway through the 4th quarter.
Softich is also quick to point out that for the Titans, offensive player Freddie Brown and quarterback Jacob Pena played very well.