The real deal?
July 16 , 2007
The West Allis Predators shocked the IFL, if not the world last Sunday night when they defeated the National Conference number two ranked Madison Mustangs, 24-19. Who would have thought a month ago that the Predators would eventually go toe to toe with an NFC powerhouse and beat them? Well it happened, and the game was a slugfest.
Early in the first quarter, the Predators CB #4 Dwight Coffee intercepted the ball on the 7 yard line bringing out the Predator offense. Just as quick as the Predators had intercepted the ball, the Mustangs returned the favor with an interception and 20 yard return by #4 for the first Mustang touchdown of the game. With the extra point, the score was 7-0.
With 6:14 left in the first quarter, the Mustangs made a 15 yard field goal to bring the score to 10-0.
With 3 minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Predators HB #20 Bobby “Boom Boom” Windom ran the ball in from the 4 yard line to put the Predators on the board, and with the extra point the score was 10-7.
In the second quarter, an early interception by the Mustangs gave them field position for #7 George Randolph to run the ball 1 yard, which gave the Mustangs their second touchdown of the game. The extra point was blocked, so the score was 16-7.
Predators had possession of the ball with 2:00 left in the half and missed a field goal to close it out with a score of Mustangs 16 and Predators 7.
In the second half, the Predators came out ready on offense and would have to settle for a 21 yard field goal with 8:12 left in the third, bringing the score to 16-10.
With 3:43 to go in the third quarter, the Mustangs would kick a 12 yard field goal to bring the score to 19-10.
With 8:22 in the fourth quarter, and the Mustangs fourth and long on their own 45, they punt faked and ran the ball to the Predators 20 keeping their drive alive. Then, the Mustangs were on 4th and 2 and came out passing. The ball was intercepted by #7 Miguel Vargas on the 13 yard line and returned 87 yards for a Predator touchdown. With the extra point it would bring the score to Mustangs 19 and Predators 17.
With 6:17 left in the fourth, the Predator kickoff was fumbled by the Mustangs and recovered by the Predator’s #32 Travis Brigham on the Mustangs 32 yard line. With 2:00 to go in the game, the Predators 24 yard field goal attempt was blocked.
With 1:57 to go in the game, the Predators defense stopped the Mustangs at midfield forcing them to punt with 1:26 left on the clock. With twenty-one seconds left in the game, the Predators QB #11 Mike Bernal threw an 11 yard game winning touchdown to TE #82 Mark “Stork” Stankowski. With the extra point, it brought the final score to the Predators 24 and Mustangs 19.
The Predators now have a Conference record of (4-2) and (4-2) overall, tying the Madison Mustangs for 2nd place in the National Conference. These Predators are playoff material and the rest of the league should take notice. Being tied for second place in the very tough National Conference says they are the real deal.