Blog: Strong Side

Grizzlies vs. Wild

Published Thursday, July 9, 2009

Scroll down for earlier posts.

Final score: Grizzlies 54, Wild 25


End 3Q, Grizzlies lead 41-19: The Wild couldn't capitalize on their awesome field position, turning the ball over on downs with a 2-yard Mosely run, three consecutive incomplete passes and a false start to boot.


2:35 3Q, Grizzlies lead 41-19: Yup, spoke too soon. Raterink was just sacked for a turnover on downs at Fairbanks' 12-yard line, and Wild running back Paul Mosely has been effective this half with two rushing touchdowns.


7:31 3Q, Grizzlies lead 41-13: Fairbanks backup quarterback JJ Raterink just tossed a 10-yard touchdown to Crawford, and it looks like this one's nearly in the books -- barring a miracle.


Halftime, Grizzlies lead 34-6: There was glimmer of hope for the Wild when Paul Mosely caught a touchdown pass with 33 seconds remaining in the half, cutting the Grizzlies' lead to 27-6 after a missed PAT.

Rummell and wide receiver Keith Smith quickly extinguished that light with a 27-yard touchdown connection with 17.5 seconds to go.

The crowd has likely passed the 1K mark, and most were silent as Smith caught the pass in the right corner of the end zone, his second TD snag of the night.


8:45 2Q, Grizzlies lead 20-0: Fairbanks running back Antwan Harris pushed a host of defenders far enough for a touchdown, and the Wild haven't been able to crack the Grizzlies defensive line. Alaska's only bright spot has been blocking the extra point attempt following Harris' TD.


End 1Q, Grizzlies lead 14-0: With the Grizzlies' quick scoring and the Wild's reliance on the run, the first quarter zoomed by. Fairbanks begins the second quarter on the Wild 17-yard line.


7:27 1Q, Grizzlies lead 14-0: Fairbanks looks determined to not let Alaska keep things close early on, as the Wild were able to do in the last matchup. Grizzlies quarterback Justin Rummell has already put touchdown passes in the hands of Josh Crawford twice, and the Wild have gone four-and-out with a turnover on downs.


Kickoff: Jamie Williamson was announced as the Wild's starting QB. The stands have about 600 fans. The Wild won the toss and have elected to kick.


20 minutes to kickoff: Sullivan Arena is scattered with a few hundred fans. Even players are in short supply tonight; 20 of the allowed 21 players are in Wild jerseys tonight. Most notably absent is speedy quarterback Earl Mason. Wide receiver Jamie Williamson will likely start under center tonight, though Calvin Savage also is listed as a quarterback.


Three hours to kickoff: A Michael Jackson mix is blaring through Sullivan Arena for the Wild's dance team, who have the field for the moment. The Fairbanks Grizzlies are scattered about the arena, waiting until a 6:15 warm-up and the 7:05 kickoff.

With a win over the 0-13 Alaska Wild, the Grizzlies can avoid a losing season and head into their July 19 home playoff game on a winning streak.

Yes, that's a July 19 playoff game. I slapped my forehead when I saw "July 15" in the paper this morning.

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