CHAMPIONSHIP

In a game that was classified as a grudge match between the Xpress and the Storm was a game with many big hits, long T.D. runs and interceptions for T.D.'s. The Xpress came in the game coming off a blow out win a week earlier over the Storm by a score of 38-0. 2 weeks earlier the Xpress traveled to longview to take on the Storm and lost in overtime 20-14. The game was set out to be a battle from the beginning to the end. Tempers flared before the game, both teams were determined to get respect before the kick-off, the dislike for one another was like the hate the Dallas Cowboys have for the NY Giants. The game was the most important game of the year for both teams. Winner advances to the NMLF Championship! The game started off slow with big hits. Kicker Nestor Cadenas kicked a 32 yard F.G. to put the Xpress up 3-0. The next Offensive possession for the Storm ended when Safety Demarcus Nixon intercepted his first pass of the game and his 7th of the year, he returned it 33 yards and that ended the half with the Xpress leading 3-0. The second half heated up, Qb. Tre Fields was intercepted and the pass was returned for a T.D. and gave the Storm an early 6-3 lead. The Xpress defense played the best game of the season forcing 4 interceptions and delivering vicious hits all game long. The Xpress run game was successful all during the game, the runningback by committee worked out perfect. Ron Hallum brought the physical run to the game, James Roberts brought his finesse Guy Smith brought his quickness and Rocky Frank brought his change of direction. All game long this kept the Storm defense off balance. The Xpress offense got the running game going in the fourth quarter and moved the ball down to the 1 yard line when Q.B. Tre Fields took it in from the 1 yard line, to put the Xpress up 9-3 and the storm started fading away. After a Field's interception the Storm found new life drove down to the Xpress 17 yard line and kicked a 34 yard F.G. On the next Storm kick-off the Xpress got a good return the ball was brought back to the Xpress 45 yard line, the very next play Frank took the hand off and went 55 yards for a T.D. that sealed the faith. The Storm had a chance to win the game but the Storm Q.B. was intercepted by Wisner Derosier that ended the chance for a Storm win. And sent he Xpress to the 2010 NMLF CHAMPIONSHIP.