2011.vs HPark. Game 6

·  The Oilers defense put forth another dominant effort. Not only did the Oiler D shut out the Seminoles, they also scored 3 touchdowns of their own. Colby Gallagher scored on a 45 yard fumble recovery, Johnny Epps scored on a 47 yard interception return, and De Yoman Nelson scored on a 21 yard fumble recovery.

·  On offense, the Oilers running and passing game finally clicked. QB James Merrick had another solid performance.

·  The Oilers came out pounding the ball with their running game. On their first play, Brooks Payne ripped off a 16 yard gain, and followed that up with a 9 yard gain. The Oilers methodically drove down the field, which culminated with a powerful run by 260 pound fullback Charles Thomas in which Thomas broke several tackles on his way to a 5 yard touchdown run to give the Oilers a 6-0 lead (the Oilers were playing without their kicker, so went for 2 point conversions after every score. The first attempt failed).

·   Thomas, a 5-time EFL All Star, had sat out the last season and a half as he was busy getting his college degree and getting married. This was his first game back in pads, and his powerful presence adds a physicality to the Oilers running game.

· On the ensuing possession the Oilers defense started to impose their will. As the Seminoles began to creep towards mid-field, the swarming Oilers defense penetrated through the line, with DE Mike Farley hitting the quarterback and forcing a fumble. LB Colby Gallagher alertly recovered the ball, broke several tackles and was off to the races, beating the Seminoles to the endzone, for a 45 yard touchdown.  Gallagher has been named to the EFL All Star team in each of his 3 seasons in the league, and is having perhaps his finest season in 2011. He and Middle Linebacker John Martell combine to form one of the premier linebacking duos in the league, with perhaps only Taunton boasting a more intimidating pair.

·  After the Gallagher touchdown return, RB Brooks Payne converted the 2 point conversion on a run up the middle.

·  In the 2^nd quarter, the Oilers passing attack got involved in the action. On a 3^rd and 5, Merrick executed a perfect play action pass, hitting Will Price for a 36 yard gain. The drive culminated with Merrick rifling a bullet over a leaping Seminole defender, which WR Matt Trainor leapt high in the air for, to snag for a 9 yard touchdown catch.  Leon McBean also added the 2-point conversion on a nifty sweep in which he eluded several would-be tacklers and then powered his way into the end zone. 22-0 Oilers.

·  The Oilers defense was in attack mode all day, refusing to let the Seminole offense ever get on track. With 4 minutes left in the 1^st half, the defense struck again, this time with 21 year veteran Johnny Epps proving that he is a freak of nature and one of the most finely conditioned athletes in the EFL, displaying that he is also still one of the fastest players in the entire EFL. He snagged a Seminole pass out of mid rare and raced down the sideline with no one on the field having a chance to catch the ageless burner. 47 yards later he was in the endzone for another Oiler touchdown. On the 2-point conversion this time, it was rookie LB/RB John Guy pounding the ball up the middle with Seminoles all over him, diving in for the additional 2 points that made it 30-0 Oilers at the half.

·  In the second half the Oilers focused on ball control and shortening the game with time consuming drives. Getting into the action in the running game were running backs Frank Gaudette, Clyde Love, Leonard Taylor, Tim Millerick, and Charles Thomas. All had good runs to pick up decent chunks of yardage.

·   But the story of the 2^nd half again was the defense. Led by Martell and Gallagher, the Oilers were ruthless. Every time the Seminole qb dropped back to pass, he had 3-4 Oilers in his face, chasing him all over the field. On the day, the Oilers had 8 sacks, and numerous tackles of running backs for losses. Leading the charge was DE De Yoman Nelson, who had 3 sacks. Also adding sacks were: DE Mike Farley, LB/DE Larry Tagger, LB Tim Millerick, DT Karl Wells, and DT Marcus Barrow.

·   Nelson capped off his impressive day in the 4^th quarter by scoring the final Oiler touchdown. Marcus Barrow caused the fumble, scooped it, and rushing to the endzone for a 20 yard touchdown. The 2-point conversion failed. 36-0 Oilers.

·   Marcus “Mighty Joe” Barrow, again proved that he is THE key to the Oilers defense. When he is healthy and on top of his game, he is perhaps the most unblockable defensive tackle in the league. At 380 pounds, with arms that make Hulk Hogan’s look small, he is bigger than Patriot Vince Wilfork. With a catlike burst for someone his size, it’s almost impossible to block him with just one person. He makes everyone on the defense better because he takes up so many blockers and offenses must account for him on every play. Despite a minor injury in the Taunton game, Barrow shows he is clearly on his way to his first EFL All Star appearance.

·  As usual, RBs Brooks Payne and Leon McBean flashed their speed and moves all afternoon, combining for over 100 yards rushing.  While the Oilers did not need to pass much, the receivers all made plays when they had to. WRs Will Price, Matt Trainor, Derrek Macqueen all had catches for 1^st downs.

·  All in all it was a very impressive by the entire Oiler team. 

·  The Oilers get back into action next Friday in a critical game vs the defending EFL Champion Taunton Gladiators. It’s the biggest game of the year for the Oilers, and a must-win game if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.