11th Marine Cannon Cockers

So Much for keeping the defense off balance by mixing up the play calling. 11th Marine Regiment threw that theory out the window, running the ball 44 times-while passing it just seven-during their 9-0 victory over 9th Communication Battalion October 1st at the 11 Area football feild. Jacob Puda in his first year as 11th Marines Head Coach didnt waste time by drawing up fancy plays for his squads season opener. He's all about playing good, old-fashioned smash-mouth football- and thats exactly what 11th Marines did. "we knew from day one that we were going to try to run the ball down people's throat," Puda said after a host running backs piled up 209 yards on the ground to help 11th Marines start the season off 1-0. "Our running game is going to be our main focus this season." At no time was that more evident than during 11th Marines crucial fourth-qaurter possession, when they ate up 11 minuets by ratteling off 15 plays on the series. Only one was a pass. Eventually 9th Comm(0-2) made a red-zone stand, ending the drive and keeping its hopes alive. But the damage was done because the clock was all but chewed up leaveing only 42 seconds. "That drive was important. thats just our stlye," Puda said. "We play a ball control offense, and i think controlling the clock and scoreing when you have to is the key to winning in this league." Steven Phelps, the Cannon Cockers' starting QB is like any other signal caller. He wants to air it out, but he believes Puda's style will win ball games. Phelps carried the ball 9 times for 50 yds and completed one pass to Miguel Ortiz for 15 yds. "We prepared hard for that situation, and we did a great job controlling the clock." Phelps said. "It's all about who wants it more in the fourth quarter and who is more conditioned, our team is in great condition. Thats how we were able to do that." When 9th Comm finally got the ball back after the long drive, it faced a long feild and little time. Eleventh Marines Linebacker William Moyer ended any comeback idea's when he intercepted Spencer Weddels desperation pass, and that virtually ended the game. "I was just reading the zone and the QB just threw the ball right into my hands" Moyer said. "You cant really beat that." The Cannon Cocker defense made several huge stops containing the 9th Comm offense to less than a hundred yards total, but none was bigger than a pass deflection early in the 4th quarter by Defensive back Jeremy Knutson. On the play, Knutson seemed beaten by speedy 9th Comm receiver Timothy Cochran. But the pass seemed to hang and extra second and Knutson recovered to knock away what would have been a 50-yard game-tying touchdown pass. "I just did my job" said Knutson, who also had an Interception in the first half. "I had to make that play. I think it was our first game and we were kinda rusty. But i think we're going to get better as the season goes on." 11th Marines next game will be 10-Oct vs. Miramar at 1830 on the 11 area feild.