11th Marine Cannon Cockers

Carlice Moffett preferred Jacob Puda standing across from him on the opposite sideline, where he could match wits with the 11th Marines Coach. At least there, Securtiy Battallion's first-time head man had a chance to come away on top by outsmarting his counterpart. Because as soon as Puda stepped onto the field as a replacement player for injured QB Stephen Phelps, the Titans didn't have a chance. Puda, who is now in his second season in charge of 11th Marines, came to his squads rescue on Monday, leading them to an 18-6 victory over Security Battallion in the season opener at the 43 Area field. "When(Puda) came into the game, it changed everything," Moffett said after his unit made its first apperance since 1997 in an Intramural tackle football game. "That was definately the differnce....We were better off with him on the sideline." Puda didn't want the spotlight for his personal performance ------which entailed three completions for more than 50 yards, several other long gains called back by penelties and some nifty scrambling. For him victory was just step #1 for the team, whose mission is to return to the championship game -----which they fell short of to Mag-39 last year 6-0. "Our Defense was awesome all game and special teams was their too, we were just clicking this game....I think we owe alot to our defense." Puda said after the victory on thier home field in front of more than 200 spectators. "Probably 90 percent of this team is new, but they know, our goal is to get back to the big game." Puda was without several key players from last years runner-up squad. Golden Helmet and Confrence MVP Micheal Teachy (defensive line) and Golden Helmet selection Anthony Parker (Defensive back)were among the boeisterous crowd cheering the Cannon Cockers to victory. Despite losing thoes standouts, who are expected to return to the team this week, Puda believes this years group is even more talented than last years. Newcomers like running back Larry Lawrence -----the 2001 Golden Helmet Player of the Year ----- and 6-foot-7 tight end Javier Rivera give the offense two dynamic threat's, something it really didn't have last year. Puda is also excited about the additions of running backs Jose Aleman and James Russell, defensive back Kenneth Pless and defensive lineman Brian Myer who had 2 sacks and a couple of bone crushing hits on QB Heith McDonald. "We've got some guys that are just aching to play ball and hit someone" Puda said. But none of these players had a more profound effect than the coach himself. "I always knew that if Steven ever got hurt that it would be a disaster for one but i would have to step in a play for him," Puda said. " I just stepped in and took over and we were able to score. But I think Steven is a good QB....I'm going to wait and see how he feels, and if he's ready to go, he'll play next week." Phelps felt fine in the first half, when he put a Micheal Vick-style move on a Titan Linebacker and got a great block by tailback James Russell to break out for a 35 yard TD scramble down the sideline. That score put 11th Marines up 6-0. But the offense stalled and when Phelps went down with concussion, Puda was forced to drop his clipboard and dawn his fallen QB's pads. And did he ever. " I wasn't surprized when (Puda) came in," TE Javier Rivera siad. "I know how bad he wants to win, and i know he loves this team. When he came out(to the field), it gave us a rush." Losing a solid starting QB like Phelps could have spelled disaster for 11th Marines. But the unit thrived on the diversity. The same couldnt be said for Security. When they lost strong-armed QB Heith McDonald to who suffered a bashed lip early in the first quarter courtesy of Cannon Cocker DE Brain Myer who made a face to face with him many times. The 6-foot-3 signal caller had to leave the game and go to the hospital for stiches. Before the injury, he was displaying a rocket arm, completeing 4-of-7 passes for 44 yards. "When we lost him, it definately hurt,"Moffett said. "It changed everything, because we weren't able to go deep. We just didnt execute in this game." That was eveident by the Titans trailing 18-0 with less than a minute left to play. The Cannon Cockers scored on a 17 yard TD pass from Puda to Rivera and later Kenneth Pless scored on a 45 yard punt return. The game was never in doubt, but the Titans did manage to get on the board with 55 seconds remaining when back up QB Joseph Salazar threw a 75 yard touchdown pass to streaking reciver Clyde Logan. "I think when Mcdonald comes back, we're going to be a good team," Moffett said. "We could have a very good deep game...I think Heith could be a Golden Helemt candidate." Next action for the Cannon Cockers will be Monday August 11th against HQBN. 1stMarDiv at 1800 on the 43 Area feild.