Jacks pack punch in title game
SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Inspired by miraculous catches, big hits and a championship trophy on the line, the largest crowd Harvey Shew Field has seen this season watched as the Lumberjacks used a big second half to chop down the Metro Phoenix 53-14 to win the Semi Pro Football League Championship Saturday night.
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An estimated 700-plus fans watched as defensive lineman Mike Foy and linebacker Mitch Feierabend got things started on the second play of the game when Phoenix quarterback James Lenoir fumbled behind the line of scrimmage. The loose ball wound up in Feierabend's arms and he was escorted by Foy and a contingent of Lumberjacks 31 yards to the end zone for an early 6-0 lead.
Mitch Feierabend (99) and Tony Martin celebrated after Feierabend scored a touchdown by stripping the ball from a Metro Phoenix player in the Semi-Pro Football League championship game Saturday night at Harvey Shew Field. The Lumberjacks ended the season with a 53-14 win.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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With fight bigger than a roster twice their size, the Phoenix kept the game close throughout the first half and never trailed by more than 20-6.
"With what (the Phoenix) came with, they brought it," Brainerd defensive lineman Juanel Humphrey said. "They were short some men and with what they came with shows a lot of fortitude."
After recovering a fumble, the Phoenix chewed up 33 yards on four plays, culminating in a 21-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds left in the first half. The score pulled the Phoenix's deficit to 20-14 and appeared to claim them momentum entering the midway break.
Tim Ogundipe returned the ensuing kickoff to the Phoenix's 28-yard line, setting up a touchdown pass from Karson Pike to Trevor Gross for a 26-14 Brainerd halftime lead.
The Lumberjacks never looked back following the momentum-shifting play as they outscored the Phoenix 25-0 in the second half and finished the season 7-3.
Brainerd Lumberjacks running back Alex Bade rushed for 35 yards in the championship win over the Metro Phoenix on Saturday night.
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"Football is an emotion game where you get motivated," Lumberjacks head coach J. J. Kern said. "You get a couple of plays and you roll with it, but you make your own breaks too. If you put yourself in the right position you're going to make plays."
Whether it was momentum, luck, or just being in the right place at the right time, the Lumberjacks saw the ball continuously bounce their way. They recovered an onside kick, a pass was deflected into the hands of tight end Zach Serraphine in the end zone and defensive back Caleb Forstrom had two interceptions.
"We had luck on our side," Feierabend said, "but you have to be in the right place to make the plays."
Mike Munsterteiger and the Lumberjacks' defense were constantly in the right place as they limited the Phoenix to just 14 second-half yards - all passing. Munsterteiger credited the lack of running production by the Phoenix to defensive adjustments.
"After the first drive, they ran on us a little bit," Munsterteiger said, "so we made some adjustments with the defensive ends. After that we pretty much stuffed them."
Anne Marie Foy (left) and Julie Foy cheered on the Lumberjacks on Saturday.
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Throughout the season, Brainerd's rushing defense has been the staple for shutting down opponents, but the Lumberjacks' secondary made a statement, limiting the Phoenix to just 106 passing yards. Led by defensive back Adrian "Ace" Collie with a team-high 4.5 tackles, the secondary combined for 10 tackles, two interceptions, and several batted balls.
"At the start of the season our secondary was our weak point," running back Shaun Peoples said. "But we got big additions in Ogundipe and Tony (Martin), and Ace and Forstrom really stepped up today."
On the offensive side of the ball, the Lumberjacks were merciless as they pounded the Phoenix for 182 rushing yards. Shaun Peoples led all rushers as he steamrollered the defense for a team-high 63 yards and one touchdown. Martin added 45 yards and punched it into the end zone from three yards out, while Pike finished with 44 yards rushing and a score.
Serraphine led all receivers as he hauled in two passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns, while Garrett Jarvella and Trevor Gross also caught touchdown passes. Pike completed 6 of 15 passes to four different receivers for 110 yards and four touchdowns.
The Lumberjacks proved they were the team to beat as they dominated the playoffs, outscoring three playoff opponents by an average of 35 points.