[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Shutout Miners In Impressive Win
The Maassluis Merchantmen hit a bump in the road, but a nice win over the Minnesota Miners put them back into winning football. With a huge 32-0 shutout victory, the Merchantmen offense and especially defense put a few things in place. With an amazing Tai Wayne at cornerback and Charles Gomez at defensive tackle, the Merchantmen defense did half of the job. Louie Flannery stayed away from turnovers and gladly took the MVP honors. Two new injuries couldn't spoil the happy mood.

"Last week's loss was a gift," Maassluis Merchantmen owner M.IJ.B. claimed, "We knew we'd lose a game sooner or later and sooner was the better option. The team is now in time focussed and in the mood for the division title game against Gothenburg." Technically, the Merchantmen only need to win one of their last two divisional games, but winning in their first opportunity would clinch the division two weeks ahead of time.

Against Minnesota, the start was a bit soft, but veteran Rodger Mowery pulled of a nice trick. With a 76-yard punt return touchdown against familiair foes, Mowery won all six of his previous games against Minnesota, Mowery opened the scoring spree and the Merchantmen were loose. Minnesota quarterback Terrence Wesson saw the pressure and imploded. He fumbled in his own territory after being fumbled by Charles Gomez and "My Sharona" blasted throughout Oranje Haven as Shaun Shiroma recovered the ball.

The Miners' defense has always been a decent one and it showed again in Maassluis. Besides a big 20-yard run from Mowery, the Merchantmen were flawless and knew they had to go for the field goal. In the first nine games, Cary Coles had been perfect, but after four consecutive misses, the fans and teammates were relieved as Coles broke the curse with a converted 40-yard kick.

The Miners' offense started making risks and young Terrence Wesson got intercepted just as he got his offense moving. Cornerback Tai Wayne recorded his first career interception and was delighted to finally make it. It took Wayne no less than 30 games to get there, but the former first round pick did it at last. Louie Flannery got his flow going, but it required a huge run from wide receiver Bryce Ewald to extend the lead. Ewald broke through the defense for a 48-yard reception for the 17-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter.

The Merchantmen defense force a three-and-out next and the game could be called being over after just 17 minutes of football. Louie Flannery led his men to a long drive, which resulted in Bryce Ewald's second score from 21 yards out. Being 24-0, it looked secure and the defense decided to play it hard. Forced back by a holding penalty and Shane Nagurski being stuffed, the Miners looked at 2nd and 24 at their own 5-yard line. Wesson completed his pass to Richard Stewart, but a holding penalty turned into a safety and up 26-0, the Merchantmen got the ball back, again.

After both defenses kept their ground twice, the Merchantmen got the ball back with less than a minute left. Instead of kneeling to half time, The Merchantmen offense went for it and set up a 56-yard field goal. To return Cary Coles' confidence, he got the opportunity to score a 56-yard field goal with little implications and the clock stopped after a time out. Coles paid back with the three points. As the Miners did nothing in their last two plays, the Merchantmen saw a huge 29-0 halftime lead.

In the third quarter, Miners' quarterback Terrence Wesson wasted his team's chances all by himself. With interceptions to again Tai Wayne and his buddy Winford Endicott, a nice 39-yard pass to Shane Nagurski was whiped away. Cary Coles scored a 32-yarder in the game's only red zone visit by any offense to make he lead even bigger. 32-0 up with 20 minutes left, this game was over. What followed was effective defensive football from Maassluis and the fourth quarter flew by like it never happened.

Louie Flannery passed for only 158 yards, but with 2 touchdown passes against 0 interceptions, there was no reason to complain. Helped by defenders like Tai Wayne (2 interceptions, 2 defended passes), Charles Gomez (1 forced fumble, 1 sack, 4 tackles) and run stopping linebackers Cody Cluff and Carl Meier, the Miners looked like an easy prey. The total yards statistics of 264-263 in Minnesota favor was completely nullified by a turenover margin of -4.

And now, the Merchantmen can start preparing for the biggest game in franchise history. In their last regular season home game of the 2007 season, the Merchantmen can secure their first European Division title by beating the Gothenburg Giants. In fact, a tie would also secure the divsion with 2 games left, 2 wins more in the bag and already having won on the road. With everybody warmed up after the biggest win in franchise history in terms of points margin, what could go wrong?