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12/26/2006: "Defense stars, offense stumbles in Cedar Valley's 0-0 tie"

Monday, September 4, 2006 7:47 AM CDT
Defense stars, offense stumbles in Cedar Valley's 0-0 tie
By ROD PAYNE, Courier Sports Writer

CEDAR FALLS --- The bend-but-don't-break defense has now officially been changed by the Cedar Valley Vikings after Saturday night’s clash with the River City Rough Riders at the UNI-Dome.

Both teams entered the contest tied with 5-4 records and fighting for a playoff spot. And so it was fitting, if also frustrating, that they ended the late-season North American Football League a 0-0 tie.

"We are a bend and break the opposition's offense type defense," explained coach LaShane Saddler. "These guys have been breaking apart offenses and just tearing them down all season. Unfortunately tonight our offense was not running well enough to win."

As a result,

Monday, September 4, 2006 7:47 AM CDT
Defense stars, offense stumbles in Cedar Valley's 0-0 tie
By ROD PAYNE, Courier Sports Writer

CEDAR FALLS --- The bend-but-don't-break defense has now officially been changed by the Cedar Valley Vikings after Saturday night’s clash with the River City Rough Riders at the UNI-Dome.

Both teams entered the contest tied with 5-4 records and fighting for a playoff spot. And so it was fitting, if also frustrating, that they ended the late-season North American Football League a 0-0 tie.

"We are a bend and break the opposition's offense type defense," explained coach LaShane Saddler. "These guys have been breaking apart offenses and just tearing them down all season. Unfortunately tonight our offense was not running well enough to win."

As a result, both teams were left hanging in the NAFL's playoff balance. A win by either squad would have likely secured a spot in the postseason.
"It would have been nice to win tonight," said Jim O’Regan, the team's owner and starting fullback. "Because if we would, we would have hosted a first-round playoff game."

For now the playoffs remain a vote away by the NAFL league officials.

The Vikings' defense put forth a stellar performance, hounding Rapid City quarterback Tony Dunker into four interceptions and a fumble.

Linebacker Jim Shower started the defensive show for the Vikings as he picked off Dunker's first attempt of the game after Anthony Long tipped the ball in the air. The Vikings then returned the favor three plays later as quarterback Shaun Wilson was intercepted at the 32-yard line.

River City drove to the Vikings' 29 and attempted a 46-yard field goal only to have it blocked by linebacker Jason Holt. The offensive futility continued however as Quinten Billingslea fumbled the ball away two plays later.

On the Rough Riders' ensuing drive, they advanced to the Vikings 5, but Cedar Valley's Andre Morris intercepted a Dunker pass in the end zone and returned it to the 14. The next two drives for both teams resulted in turnovers, including another blocked field goal by Holt.

The final drive of the first half gave the Vikings their best chance to score, but a 38-yard field-goal attempt came up short.

River City continued to keep the Vikings' offense under wraps in the second half. Meanwhile, the Rough Riders put the longest march of the game together using 8 minutes, 23 seconds of the third quarter to cover 54 yards. However, another field-goal attempt sailed wide left. From that point on, defensive tackle Willie Johnson and the rest of the Vikings' defense took control.

"We got mad!”"screamed Johnson, who finished with three sacks and seven quarterback hurries. "Our offense was trying to break down a brick wall with a rubber mallet. We knew it was up to us. We have a saying around here, 'Duck and pull a truck and ask no questions, then hook 'em up.' Hey, when I yell that, this defense goes to work."

Johnson is someone you want to listen to. He is the leader of the unit and plays with the same reckless abandon ex-Minnesota Viking great John Randle brought to the field. He even resembles Randle with his tenacity between the lines and explosiveness on the sidelines.

The Vikings won the coin toss to start overtime. Once again, the offense could not get on track and went three plays and out. Then, Cedar Valley's Darrell Richards ended any threat by the Rough Riders, sacking Dunker and forcing a punt. Like a broken record, both offenses turned the ball over on their next two possessions.

Defensive back Donny Heaton intercepted a pass in overtime and combined with Holt dropped Dunker for a loss putting them out of field goal range.

"Our defense played well enough to win tonight," Saddler said. "It was a great defensive game, but turnovers early killed us. Now we will just wait and see if the league gives us a playoff game."

Contact Rod Payne at sportsdoor@wcfcourier.com

River City 0 0 0 0 0 - 0

Cedar Valley 0 0 0 0 0 - 0

No scoring

TEAM STATISTICS

RC CV

First downs 9 8

Rushes-yards 40-76 35-108

Passing yards 117 113

Passes 6-20-4 8-19-3

Return yards 61 17

Penalties-yards 11-45 16-75

Punts-avg. 5-35 5-32

Fumbles-lost 1-1 4-4

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

RIVER CITY – Nate Johnson 10-35, DeeJay Spencer 12-31, Tory Lockington 3-9, Tony Ford 2-1, Tony Dunker 10-(-29).

CEDAR VALLEY – Quinten Billingslea 25-42, Schaun Wilson 8-64, Jim O’Regan 2-2.

Passing

RIVER CITY – Dunker 6-20-4, 117 yards.

CEDAR VALLEY – Wilson 8-19-3, 113 yards.

Receiving

RIVER CITY – Aaron Woelfel 4-59, Ryan Smith 1-19, Nathan Johnson 1-1.

CEDAR VALLEY – Johnny Parker 4-23, Rafael Parker 1-19, Billingslea 1-9, Gabrille Noah Betts 2-62.