Hawks 42 - Rifles 20

North American Football League

2003 WESTERN DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
October 25, 2003

Eastside Hawks 42 - Springfield Rifles 20

.	..1..	..2..	..3..	..4..	..T..
Rifles	0	14	0	6	20
Hawks	7	0	7	28	42

.	Hawks	Rifles
rushing	36 - 193 - 1 (12)	27 - 100 - 1 (15)
passing	11 - 20 - 1 - 178 - 4	13 - 27 - 3 - 206 - 2
sacked	1 - - 7	-
OFFENSE	57 - 364 - 5	54 - 306 - 3
first downs	16	10
penalties	13 - 93	1 - 10
turnovers	2	3
fumbles-lost	2 - 1	0
punts	4 - 36.5 (51)	6 - 24.5 (30)
punt returns	2 - - 1 (1)	3 - 9 (8)
kick returns	4 - 79 (35)	7 - 160 (49)
int returns	3 - 105 - 1 (68)	1 - 24

....

1st Quarter

Hawks (8:00): Sidney Orange 5 yard run (Craig Howley kick)

2nd Quarter

Rifles (8:32): Jason Tucker 1 yard leap (Chris Shirato kick)
Rifles (:33): Doug Matz 15 yard fade pass from Jason Tucker (Shirato kick)

3rd Quarter

Hawks (8:32): Josh Branch 10 yard pass from Lance Westendorf (Howley kick)

4th Quarter

Hawks (12:01): Mike Rigell 17 yard pass from Lance Westendorf (Howley kick)
Hawks (8:43): Derek Williams 40 yard pass from Lance Westendorf (Howley kick)
Hawks (8:19): Terrance Ivory 68 yard interception return (Howley kick)
Rifles (3:09): Shawn Flannigan 36 yard bomb from Jason Tucker (run fail (bad PAT snap))
Hawks (1:35): Andre Harris 27 yard pass from Ed Robinson (Howley kick)

The Eastside Hawks overcame a two week layoff and a mistake filled 1st half to win the North American Football League Western Division Championship and move on to the NAFL National Championship to be played next weekend in Disney World. This will be the 3rd national championship game in 4 seasons for Hawk Coach Ken Austin and many Hawk players. They won the 2000 NFA championship and the 2002 AFA Championship while with the Puget Sound Jets.

QB Lance Westendorf played near perfectly in the 2nd half as the Hawks scored 28 unanswered points to turn a 14-7 halftime deficit into a 35-14 lead. Westendorf completed 7 out of 8 passes for 113 yards and 3 TDs during the final 30 minutes of action. Runningbacks Sidney Orange, Andre Edwards and Curtis Delgardo combined for 29 carries for 162 yards. LB Sam Blanche had 15 tackles to lead the Hawks defense and CB Terrance Ivory intercepted 2 passes, returning one 68 yards for a score. The unsung heros are punter Sean O'Laughlin and kicker Craig Howley and the Hawk coverage teams. Their deep punts and kickoffs consistently forced the Rifles offense to play on a long field. The Hawks offense, on the other hand, started several drives around midfield.

DE Mickey Beagle crashed through the line forcing Sidney Orange to bounce outside where he outran the Rifle defense to the corner of the endzone.

Jason Tucker tied the game with this 4th down leap from 1 yard out.

The Hawks opened the scoring with Sidney Orange finding no room up the middle and then breaking outside for a 5 run on their 2nd possession fo the game. Orange had 6 carries for 35 yards on the 7 play - 46 yard touchdown drive.
2ND QUARTER
The Rifles answered 2 possessions later with a 10 play, 81 yard drive that consumed the first 6:28 of the 2nd quarter. Springfield started the drive with 5 consecutive runs that netted 25 yards and 2 first downs. A 32 yard pass from Jason Tucker to Marcus London moved the ball down to the 4 yards line. RB Donnie Chatmon pounded the ball down to the 1. On 2nd down Tucker was stuffed for no gain on a QB sneak. White found no room up the middle on 3rd down and tried to bounce outside but was stopped for 5 yard loss. A penalty on the Hawks nullified the play. Chatmon tried the middle again for no gain. On 4th and inches, Tucker leapt over the line and extended the ball over the goal line before being knocked backwards. Chris Shirato's PAT tied the score at 7 with 8:32 remaining in the half.

RB Sidney Orange carried the ball 12 times for 66 yards in the first half.

Andre Edwards juked his way down to the Rifles 15 before being sandwiched and losing the ball..

Mike Rigell returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards to the Rifle 44 yard line. Two runs apiece by RBs Sidney Orange and Andre Edwards netted 26 yards and a pair of first downs. Edwards gained 11 more on the next play but a holding penalty nullified the gain and pushed the Hawks back to the 31. On 2nd and 19 Westendorf tried to go over the top to Mike Rigell in the corner of the endzone but CB Willie Parks knocked the ball away. Westendorf dropped back to pass on 3rd down and had to scramble to avoid heavy pressure by the Rifle defense. After slipping out of the grasp of Barry Howard, Westendorf finally pitched the ball back to Edwards who took off around the right end. Edwards eluded a couple of tacklers and was running free down the sideline before being sandwiched between LBs Eric Washington and Rod Pickett at the 15 yard line. Their hit knocked the ball loose and it was scooped up by Mike Guidry and returned out to the 18.

Otis Brown caught this pass at midfield and then spun out of the safety's tackle and headed down the sidline.

Doug Matz's 15 yard TD catch gave the Rifles a 14-7 halftime lead.

After a slow start the Rifle offense overcame 3rd and 10 with a Tucker to White shuttle pass that picked up 18 yards. Two plays later Tucker hit WR Otis Brown at the 50. Brown slipped out of the tackle of the safety and headed down the Hawk sideline for paydirt. Hawks LBs Duke Garrett and Aaron Wardrip displayed amazing speed in running him down from behind at the Hawk 18. With 33 seconds left in the half Tucker hit a wide open Doug Matz for the go ahead score.

Terrance avoided this tackle but couldn't elude the last Rifle on this 32 yard kickoff return.

Barry Howard intercepted the last pass of the half lateraled to Terrence Christian who moved the ball into Hawks territory as time expired.

Terrance Ivory's 32 yard kickoff return out to midfield gave the Hawks some hope for a late score but Westendorf was picked off by Barry Howard as time expired. He pitched to Terrence Christian as he was being tackled but the lateral was ruled to be an illegal forward pass nullifying Christian's return.

3RD QUARTER

Josh Branch tied the score with this 10 yard catch despite tight coverage by Mike Guidry.

The teams exchanged 3 and out possessions to open the 2nd half. Another Rifle 3 and out combined with a short punt set up the Jets at midfield. Two penalties pushed the Hawks back to their 35 setting up a 1st and 25. Westendorf hit Rigell for 23 yards and then WR Brian Carter for 9 more and a first down. Edwards and Westendorf combined for 24 rushing yards on the next 4 plays. On 3rd and 7 from the 10 Westendorf fired a pass to WR Josh Branch at the goal line to. Craig Howley's PAT tied the score with 3:45 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

LB Duke Garrett hits Tucker causing an incomplete pass.

This Terrance Ivory interception set up the Hawks go ahead touchdown.

The Rifles started out at their own 32 and 4 carries by Chatmon gave them a first down at the Hawks 37. On the last play of the 3rd quarter CB Terrance Ivory jumped in front of WR Marcus London running a post pattern and intercepted Jason Tucker's pass. Ivory returned the ball 30 yards to the Rifle 49 yard line.

4TH QUARTER

This 17 yard TD from Westendorf to Rigell (left) put the Hawks in the lead.

Westendorf connected with Williams from 40 yards out to extend the Hawks lead

The Hawks needed just 6 plays and 2:59 to capitalize on Ivory's interception. Westendorf hit Rigell on an out and up from 17 yards to put the Hawks back in the lead 21-14. The Hawk defense held the Rifles to another 3 and out and a short punt went out of bounds at the Hawk 42. This time the Hawks needed just 3 plays with Westendorf going over the top to WR Derek Williams from 40 yards out. Craig Howley's PAT put the Hawks up 28-14 with 8:43 left in the game.

K Craig Howley and LB Will Postell combined to make a TD saving tackle on Shem Johnson's 49 yard kickoff return.

Terrance Ivory returns an errant Rifle pass 68 yards for another TD.

Shem Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 49 yards to the Hawk 41. Kicker Craig Howley and LB Will Postell combined for the touchdown saving tackle. On the Rifle's first snap Tucker tried to force a pass to London and was again intercepted by Ivory, who caught the ball heading towards the middle of the field and then reversed direction and headed for the Rifle sideline. 68 yards later he had given the Hawks a 35-14 lead with 8:19 remaining. It was the Hawks 3rd touchdown in less than 4 minutes.

The Hawks couldn't stop the Rifles shuttle pass to FB David White. This one went for 15 yards and set up a Rifles TD. The Rifles ran the play 5 times for 55 yards.

Jason Tucker heaved this pass to Shawn Flannigan running behind the Hawk defense. (I didn't get the catch on film).

After exchanging 3 and out possessions the Rifles took over at their own 29 with 5:03 remaining. Tucker hit 3 of 5 passes for 56 yards on Springfield's 6 play, 71 yard drive. Shawn Flannigan caught a 36 yard bomb from Tucker for the score. The PAT snap was low and holder David White tried to run but was quickly swarmed upon by the Hawks defense. The Rifles had pulled within 2 scores at 35-20 with 3:09 left in the game.

QB Ed Robinson connected with Andre Harris on this pass for the Hawks final score.

WR Andre Harris cut in front of the defender for the Hawks final TD.

The Rifles attempted an onside kick but it was covered by Hawk WR Jakoba Square at the Rifle 40. Now led by backup QB Ed Robinson, the Hawks went to work on the clock. On 3rd and 9 from the 27, Robinson lofted a pass to WR Andre Harris in the right corner of the endzone. The ball was slightly underthrown and Harris did a great job of cutting in front of the defender to come back to the ball and make the catch. Howley's PAT gave the Hawks a 42-20 lead with 1:35 remaining.

Donnie Chatmon led the Rifles rushing attack with 69 tough yards on 19 carries.

Tucker's last pass went off Chatmon's fingertips (right) at the 15 right to safety Josh Kidd.

The Rifles were able to move the ball from their 39 to the Hawk 28 in just 4 plays. Tucker threw down the middle to Chatmon but the ball was a bit high and went off his outstretched hands to Hawk safety Josh Kidd. One kneel down by Robinson and the game was over.

The Hawks now travel to Orlando, Florida, to play the Kane County Eagles in the 2003 NAFL Championship Game.

Rushing: attempts-yards-TDs (long)
Hawks: Sidney Orange 17-83-1 (10), Andre Edwards 9-44 (12), Curtis Delgardo 3-35 (12), Lance Westendorf 4-21 (10), Ed Robinson 3-10 (10)
Rifles: Donnie Chatmon 19-69 (15), David White 3-21 (13), Morris Cannon 2-9 (9), Jason Tucker 3-1-1 (1)

Passing: completions-attempts-interceptions-yards-TDs
Hawks: Lance Westendorf 10-16-1-151-3, Ed Robinson 1-2-0-27-1, Brad Collins 0-1-0-0-0, Aaron Rambo 0-1-0-0-0
Rifles: Jason Tucker 13-26-3-206-2, Marcus London 0-1-0-0-0

Receiving: catches-yards-TDs (long)
Hawks: Josh Branch 3-32-1 (16), Derek Williams 2-51-1 (40), Mike Rigell 2-40-1 (23), Andre Harris 1-27-1, Jakoba Square 1-11, Brian Carter 1-9, Lance Westendorf 1-8
Rifles: David White 5-55 (18), Otis Brown 4-64 (44), Shawn Flannigan 1-36-1, Marcus London 1-32, Doug Matz 1-15-1, Donnie Chatmon 1-4

Kick returns: #-yards-TDs (long)
Hawks: Mike Rigell 2-47 (35), Terrance Ivory 1-32, Jakoba Square 1-0
Rifles: Shem Johnson 5-126 (49), Marvin Mallory 2-34 (20)

Punt returns: #-
Hawks: Mike Rigell 2- -1 (1)
Rifles: Shem Johnson 1-6, Mike Guidry 2-3 (8)

Punting: #-yards avg/net avg (long) inside 20-touchbacks
Hawks: Sean O'Laughlin 4-146 36.5/34.3 (51) 1-0
Rifles: Brandon Golubski 6-147 24.5/24.7 (30) 0-0

Interceptions #-yards-TDs (long)
Hawks: Terrance Ivory 2-98-1 (68), Josh Kidd 1-7
Rifles: Barry Howard 1-5, ?? 0-19 (lateral)

***defense: T-Tackles, A-Assists. L-Tackles for Loss, S-Sacks, P-QB Pressures, FF-Forced Fumbles
FR-Fumbles Recovered, I-Passes Intercepted, D-Passes Defensed, B-blocked kicks, TD-touchdown***

Hawks	T	A	L	S	P	FF	FR	I	D	B	TD
2 Julian Williams	2	6	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	.
3 Terrance Ivory	1	2	.	.	.	.	.	2	2	.	1
6 Derrick Smith	2	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
11 Lance Westendorf	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
15 Josh Kidd	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	.	.
17 Karl Wright	4	4	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
24 Colan Sewell	2	2	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	.
26 Andre Edwards	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
28 Joel Robnett	1	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
29 Lenny Hayes	.	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	.
30 Wanis Nadir	1	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
31 Sam Blanche	6	9	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
33 Will Postell	4	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
38 Ledurial Wells	3	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
41 Craog Hawley	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
42 Brett Weiburg	2	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
43 Duke Garrett	5	3	1	.	1	.	.	.	.	.	.
51 Jonathan King	.	.	.	.	1	.	.	.	.	.	.
55 Aaron Wardrip	8	3	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
58 Eric Bellamy	2	1	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
71 PatrickGilbert	7	.	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
72 Washington Mose	.	.	.	.	1	.	.	.	.	.	.
74 Greg Damminga	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
87 Jakoba Square	1	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
90 Mitch Dillard	1	1	.	.	1	.	.	.	.	.	.
91 Gunder Gregerson	.	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
99 Leyland Johnston	.	1	.	.	1	.	.	.	.	.	.
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Rifles	T	A	L	S	P	FF	FR	I	D	B	TD
1 Willie Jenkins	1	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
2 Cleavon Williams	4	2	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
4 Terrence Christian	1	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
5 Shem Johnson	2	1	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	.	.
7 Mike Guidry	2	.	.	.