Ice Outplays Predators

Going into week 7 the Predators knew they had to play well and mistake free to grind out a win. It was going as planned for the first 30 minutes of the game but it quickly unraveled in the last ten, and the Predators lost 7-27. The loss drops the Predators two spots in the standings to six place, which is the last qualifying playoff spot, and adds much more importance to next weeks game against the Seed Men. The Predators are happy with the progress they've made so far, but they understand that their not where they want to be and there's still a lot of work to be done. Playoffs have been the goal since day one and if they miss out, the season will be looked at as unsuccessful.

Offensively against Team Ice the Predators started off with a bang. Two short option plays on the first drive set up a third and medium where #7 Brown hit #27 Clapper on a long completing down the sidelines that resulted in a first down. The Predators got a few more completions and capped the drive off when #7 Brown threw it on a rope to # 27 Clapper in the back of the end zone for a touchdown (extra point no good). It took 17 games but it was the first time in Predator history that the offense scored on the opening drive. Team Ice came back the next series and torched the Predator defense with trick plays and long completions answering the score with ease (extra point good). Throughout the rest of the first half the Predators were completing passes and putting themselves in good position to convert 3rd downs but were unsuccessful. Defensively after the first drive the Predators settled down and played well. Giving Team Ice short underneath passes and making pulls, resulting in punts. At the end of the first half Team Ice was driving and ran a good throwback pass that got the Predators out manned in the secondary and they hit a receiver in the back of the end zone for a long touchdown (extra point good). Making the score at the half a respectable 6-14.

The second half was going well with the Predators playing solid, bend don't break defense. Team Ice had a short fourth down conversion at mid field when #53 Wlotzko came up with a huge sack for the Predators. #53 Wlotzko sacrificed his body by laying out and pulling the flag as his body hit the turf. The big play set the offense up in good field position. The Predator offense was struggling on the drive and on third down got a questionable defensive pass interference in the end zone setting up a 1st and goal from the ten. It was the break the Predators were waiting for. But on the second play after the first down #7 Brown threw his only bad pass of the night and it was intercepted in the end zone. It was the first turnover of the game and it took the wind out of the Predator sails. Team Ice then drove the ball down field, highlighted by two long pass completions and finished the drive with a touchdown. At this point there was little time left. #45 Price made a great pump fake on the next series, which got #27 Clapper wide open down field, but #45 Price's pass sailed just long and ended any chances of a Predator comeback. Another Team Ice touchdown and extra point and a #2 Long interception return on an extra point finished the scoring for the night. On the final Predator offensive possession they got it going again when #1 Clark caught a lateral and picked up big yards and #45 Price hit #7 Brown on a nice pass and catch for a first down. The Predators then got it close but the series ended with a turnover on downs and a mercy for the game.

Even though the Predators lost the game they still feel that they took steps forward in the game. For three quarters of the game the Predators played at the level they needed to beat one of the top teams in the league, but they now know how quickly it can unravel. The Predators win and lose as a team and the name on the front of their jersey means more to the group than any name on the back. Up next the Predators play the Seed Men (5-2) next Thursday at 9pm. A game with the playoffs at stake.