Pella Knights Blanked for First Time in ’12
Pella Knights
Webster City–On a hot Saturday afternoon, a depleted Pella Knights squad forfeited a first round home game with a 17-0 setback to the Midwest Rampage in Midwest Football Alliance action.
In a battle for second place in the East Division, Pella (4-5) outgained the Rampage 157-95, but failed to produce in two redzone opportunities. The team was without the services of both starting quarterback Jarred Lackey (Somerton, Ariz.) and backup Trent McDermott (Centerville). While third-stringer Ryan Hall (Tomball, Texas) performed valiantly in his first time behind center since high school, the Knights still fell for the second consecutive time.
Midwest (5-4) got on the board first with a touchdown just 8:17 into the game. Pella had two great chances in the first half, but turned the ball over deep in Rampage territory both times, first on downs and then via an interception. The Knights, who were penalized for 115 yards in a very chippy contest, moved across midfield twice in the second half, but to no avail. Midwest added a touchdown in the third quarter and a field goal late.
Hall completed 11-of-27 passes for 136 yards, but DeMarco Sanders (Horn Lake, Miss.) was the real offensive star, accounting for 67 rushing yards (seven carries) and 46 receiving yards (five catches). Jose Lainez (Miami, Fla.) added two grabs for 65 yards.
The defense was stellar, but could only do so much against poor field position. The Rampage’s scoring drives, which all started due to turnovers, consisted of just 20, 29, and 16 yards. Chris Ruff (Highland Park, Mich.) topped the effort with 12 stops, while Brandon Millbrooks (Olive Branch, Miss.) recorded the lone takeaway with a third-quarter interception.
The Knights close the regular season on Saturday, July 28, traveling to Burlington to face the River City Warriors at 7 p.m.
Score: Midwest Rampage 17, Pella Knights 0
Ryan Hall: 11-27, 136 passing yds
DeMarco Sanders: 7 carries, 67 rushing yds, 5 catches, 46 yds
Jose Lainez: 2 catches, 65 yds
Chris Ruff: 12 tackles, 1 for loss
Brandon Millbrooks: 1 interception
