Utah Shock-7, Vegas Trojans-20
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Henderson, Nevada- Coronado High School Field

Courtesy of Bobby Lide of the Vegas Trojans.

 

This was a battle of the undefeated teams in the RMFL Big 9.  The game started with both teams going three-and-out to force punts.  A defensive battle between both teams ended the 1st quarter in a 0-0 game.

To begin the 2nd quarter, the Shock had possession of the ball until QB Jeff Wissler’s pass was tipped and intercepted by Edwin Carter of the Trojans to stall the drive.  Vegas took control of the ball with positive momentum to carry them on a strong drive.  However, a strong Shock defense would halt the Trojans in the redzone to bring the drive to an end.  

 

The Shock received the ball following the defensive stop and Wissler would hit WR Sam Thomas down the middle of the field into Trojan’s territory, which included a personal foul call on the Trojans to put the ball on the 22-yard line.  Three plays later, Trojan S Jordan Wilmore was penalized with a hit on a defenseless player to place the ball on the 11 yard line.  But on the very next player, Wissler threw his 2nd interception to Ronald Brown in the end zone.

 

Vegas went back on offense only to go three-and-out resulting in another punt.  On the ensuing Shock drive, Wissler connected with Thomas on 2 straight passes to get to the Trojans side of the field, and on the next play, IK Ubani broke loose for a 19 yard gain to the 21-yard line.  This would set up a 22-yard Wissler to Thomas touchdown and a 7-0 Shock lead.

 

The Shock kicked the ball to Kyriell Davis who returned the ball 43 yards to the Shock 36-yard line.  However, James Cammack would throw an errant pass to Shock DB CJ Ubani for the interception on the very first play to end the half.

 

The start of the 3rd quarter was a back and forth defensive game between both teams.  But the turning point in the game came after the Trojans forced a punt by the Shock in which punter Bryce Kennington bobbled the snap and lost control of the ball.  It was then scooped up by MLB Jesse Swan for a Trojan touchdown to tie the game up at 7.  

 

On the Shock’s next time on offense, Wissler threw his 3rd interception, this time to Dejon Hatcher for a return to the Shock 26-yard line to end the 3rd quarter.  

 

The Shock defense was able to stop the Trojans on 4 downs to keep them out of the end zone and maintain the score at 7-7 in the 4th.  Two plays later, a sack by Edwin Carter forced a Shock turnover that was recovered by Jermaine Stephens to give the Trojans the ball on the 3-yard line.  Two plays later, RB Mike Ball, who had 12 carries for 118, scored from a yard out to put the Trojans up 14-7 with about 7 minutes to go in the game.  

 

With no quit in the Shock, Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 49 yards to the Trojan 42-yard line.  However, the tough Trojans defense forced the Shock to punt the ball yet again.  The Trojans generated an 8-play drive that resulted in a Cammack to Kris Kellum 29-yard touchdown to go up 20-7.  
 

The game ended on a Wissler interception to CB Demario Lay.  Wissler finished with 5 interceptions on the day. Thomas led the Shock offense with 107 receiving yards on 5 receptions and the team’s only score.  Cammack threw for 98 yards and a touchdown to Kris Kellum, who caught 3 passes for 45 yards.  The Trojans defense had a strong performance, as they would force five interceptions on (2 by Ronald Brown, and one by Dejon Hatcher, Demario Lay, and Edwin Carter) and a fumble recovery on a special teams miscue by Jesse Swan to put the team on the board.  The Shock defense was led by LB Kelon Brooks with 6 tackles and DL Will Faleola with 4 tackles and a sack.

 

This week, the Utah Shock will travel to Layton, UT to face the Utah Wildcats.  The Vegas Trojans will host the Las Vegas Raiders at Coronado High School in Henderson, NV.