Rocky Start, Bees Heating Up - skidsboroff's Blog

skidsboroff's Blog

Rocky Start, Bees Heating Up

Posted on March 5, 2009 at 12:46 AM.

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We'll Take 2-1

At first sight of the OS South Season 3 schedule, the Bees needed to buckle their chinstraps. A season opener at the Fort Wayne Bulls, led by the same man that coached the Pittsburgh Iron to a 16-0 record the previous year was a nice 'Welcome to Season 3'. With games against O.J. Simpson's Fargo team, and the offense-heavy Landover Flight, the first three weeks of the season were no joke.

Things started rough with a 28-21 loss to the Bulls, in a closely contested game. Marcus Allen had a clutch day, handing the Bees a loss and sending them to 0-1.

Stats:
B. Starr: 16-24, 266 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
J. Lofton: 6 rec, 160 yds, TD
E. Green: 4 rec, 44 yds, TD

With a new week came a new vigor, as the Bees came back to Boulder for their home opener. The hometown fans would not be disappointed, as they were treated to a massive shootout against the Fargo Fishermen.

Boulder scored on each of their first three possessions, only to be outdone by Fargo, who scored on their first five. The Fishermen's first three drives lasted no longer than two plays, as The Juice was simply out of his gourd in the first half. Simpson would finish with 225 total yards and three touchdowns.

A 35-21 halftime deficit would be erased by the Bees, who midway through the third quarter found their defense. A key 3rd down stop on an Anthony Carter drop allowed the Bees back into the game, as Boulder shut out Fargo in the 4th quarter.

A monster day offensively was summed up as such by Coach Skids, "Their was simply zero defense today. It was unbelievable. I gotta tip my cap to O.J., the guy was nuts today. We stuck with it though, and that's why we got Bart. He's a winner, and he never quits."

The game was sealed on a Deacon Jones forced fumble with Fargo driving for the game-tying score. His partner-in-crime Dexter Manley recovered and Derrick Brown added a field goal to seal the victory. Final Score 52-42.

Stats:
B. Starr: 24-34, 477 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT
J. Lofton: 7 rec, 225 yds, 2 TD
C. Taylor: 251 Total yds (71 rush, 101 rec, 79 rtn) 4 TD
D. Jones: 1.5 sacks, FF

Finally, in Week 3, Boulder went on the road again to face the Landover Flight. A team featuring Raymond Berry, Don Maynard, and Dante Lavelli looked to be fearsome, but the Bees continued on their offensive roll. Starr would turn in another five touchdown performance, and the Bees coasted for much of the second half, defeating Landover 49-7.

Stats:
B. Starr: 11-15, 283 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT
C. Taylor: 11 car, 136 yds, TD
J. Lofton: 4 rec, 147 yds, 2 TD
E. Martin: 2 rec, 70 yds TD
D. Jones: 3.5 sacks
D. Manley: 2 sacks
C. Lake: INT

With the difficulty of the schedule, the Bees are lucky to be 2-1 after three weeks. While they look to be an offensive juggernautm the defensive side of the ball needs to gel signifigantly.

Nick Buoniconti must step up, as he was torn apart by Bulls' TE Jackie Smith, if the Bees are to be succesful in stopping 3rd downs this year.

Next week: vs. San Diego Stallions (at Boulder)