Warming up for the Game Tuesday night before the Predators and Seed Men game there was a chill and an excitement in the air. The Predators appeared composed and focused as they performed their individual warm ups and stretches in anticipation for the game. There was a little chatter and some laughs aimed towards the local pro football team as the Predators prepared. Standing back and observing the Predators it is easy to see that they have come a long way this session and want to go even further. It was a tough, hard battle and their opponent gave them everything they had, but the Predators were victorious over the Seed Men 7-0. The Seed Men played hard in a losing effort and when the final whistle blew it was obvious both teams had respect for the other.
At the start of the game the Predators forced the Seed Men into a quick three and out. It was scary after the first offensive play of the game as #2 Long came hobbling to the sideline after he got tangled up with a Seed Men defender going for a deep pass down the left sideline. The Predators quickly had to punt and were left with six players to play two platoon as #2 Long was looking like he couldn't return. But the Predators didn't panic. #27 Clapper quickly moved #1 Clark back to safety and #45 Price filled in at corner back. The Predators didn't miss a beat forcing the Seed Men into another three and out. The Predators were constantly right in the Seed Men receivers hip pocket the entire night, knocking away passes once the ball arrived. #45 Price made a nice play on the ball at the Predator sideline forcing the Seed Men into another punt. #7 Brown also played an exceptional game manning his zone by knocking away passes and pulling flags immediately after catches were made. #7 Brown came with his best defensive performance of the season and appeared to lead the team in pulls for the game. During the first half neither team committed a turnover and struggled to find themselves in their opponents territory. #7 Brown started the game off a little shaky, but quickly got into rhythm. #7 Brown spread the ball around hitting Predator receivers and found themselves in scoring position after a #27 Clapper catch and run. They had the ball 1st and goal with 25 yards to go and quickly had two incomplete passes. On 3rd and goal the Predators threw a nicely placed pass down the middle of the field but #45 Price couldn't come down with it at the 1 yard line. It was a tough catch in traffic but one #45 Price felt he should have come down with. At the end of the first half the Seed Men quickly moved the ball down field getting into scoring position with little time remaining. The Predators once again played bend don't brake defense holding the Seed Men out of the end zone as the half came to a close with the score 0-0. The Predators were fortunate on the final play where the Seed Men quarterback place the ball perfectly down the middle and three Predator defenders were standing looking for the others to make a play. Both teams in the first half had a number of turnover opportunities but neither were able to capitalize.
In the second half the Predators played much better offensively and continued their solid defensive play. #7 Brown hit a number of Predator receivers as they were able to complete passes and move the ball putting themselves in position to move the chains and score. #27 Clapper made many catches on the night and did his thing after the catch picking up yards. #7 Brown threw a strike to #52 Oberhaus into the teeth of the defense and #52 Oberhaus came down with it. #45 Price also caught many passes over the middle and appears that he is getting very comfortable finding holes in the zone defense. The Predator pass rush also played brilliantly. #53 Wlotzko and #45 Price were consistently putting the pressure on the Seed Men quarterback forcing him into a number of bad throws. #45 Price had two sacks for the game and #53 Wlotzko had two passes batted down in the game. They are getting better and better and both had a huge impact on the game. #1 Clark also played his zone well, but after he torched the Seed Men in week 8 with pull after pull, the Seed Men primarily attacked the other side of the field during last nights game, and #7 Brown took advantage. #52 Oberhaus also made his mark in the game making many pulls and defending passes. It appeared the Seed Men tried to sit two receivers running curls in the deep middle and they did have some success, but #1 Clark, #7 Brown and #52 Oberhaus weathered the storm in the front line of the Predators Defense. It was interesting that the Seed Men didn't run many crossing routes in the game. They were successful in the teams first meeting. Midway through the second half the Predators got the ball back and did something with it. #7 Brown first hit #2 Long over the middle on a post getting things started. #7 Brown hit #45 Price over the middle for a big gain and a bigger first down. Next, from the sidelines a option play was called and #45 Price sucked the defense in and pitched it out to #27 Clappper and he caught the corner for bonus yards. Then after a couple of incomplete passes the drive was coming to a halt and the Seed Men self destructed. Their rusher left his feet and #7 Brown was driven into the turf on a no question roughing the passer penalty. The Predators got an automatic first down and capped the drive off with a #27 Clapper TD catch from #7 Brown by the front cone and #27 Clapper dragged his foot . #27 Clapper was pumped and spiked the ball after the score. It was a bang-bang play and the Predators got the call. #2 Long caught a slant for the point after and the Predators took the lead.
After the score the Predator defense got stronger and the Seed Men defense got weaker. The game ended with #2 Long, #27 Clapper and #52 Oberhaus interceptions. The Predators then ran the clock out and came away with their first playoff win in their first try. The game came with a cost. The Predators lost another player to injury. Leading scorer #2 Long will be out of action due to a lingering ankle/heel injury. He has been playing through it for the last couple weeks and will be unable to go on short rest. The Predators will activate #11 Brown for the semi finals. One-third of the team is injured and they only have just enough to play. Due to the injury bug that has plagued the Predators they will need a prescription and #11 Brown will fill that role. Look for #11 Brown to do a little of everything in the semi finals against the defending champion, undefeated Gunners. Look for the Semi Finals Preview due out tomorrow.
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