[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen Trash Knights In Records Setting Victory
The Maassluis Merchantmen defense looks fixed. With a 47-3 trashing at the Orlando Knights, the Merchantmen look ready to repeat their European division title. The score marked the biggest margin of victory in IHOF league history. The stat of the game were the seven interceptions by the Merchantmen defense, of which three were returned for a touchdown. Both figures tied league single game records.

One could write out the entire game, but the drive chart for the Orlando Knights tells the story of the game:
Quar Began Poss From Plays Yards Result
1 15:00 1:50 OWN 20 3 0 Punt
1 10:19 2:40 OWN 20 7 12 Punt
1 4:01 0:12 OWN 30 1 0 Interception
1 1:24 1:24 OWN 20 2 7 Interception
2 15:00 1:06 OWN 20 3 -8 Interception
2 13:54 1:27 OWN 20 3 -1 Punt
2 9:54 5:39 OWN 4 11 60 Missed FG
2 2:58 2:03 OWN 12 3 5 Punt
3 12:37 3:56 OWN 30 6 57 Field Goal
3 1:18 2:33 OWN 22 4 33 Interception
4 12:32 2:04 OWN 3 5 12 Interception
4 9:34 2:12 OWN 13 4 33 Interception
4 7:22 0:34 OWN 18 1 0 Interception
4 4:30 2:04 OWN 13 3 1 Punt
4 0:54 0:54 OWN 27 2 9 Game

With seven interceptions, devided over rookie Mel Aschbacher (4 interceptions) and Timoth Hardaway (3 interceptions), the game was hopeless for the home team. The only two productive drives were stopped by the stout Merchantmen defense, forcing the Knights to settle for a field goal twice, of which Mickey Worlow missed one. Aschbacher still managed to pass for 127 yards and run for 38 yards, including an unexpected 34 yard run. But with the Merchantmen defense leaning back to wait for the interceptions, it was a hopeless game.

Bernie Surry was the hero of the Merchantmen in the game. Surry recorded the first two interceptions, of which he ran the second one 42 yards back for the touchdown. With a team high 5 tackles and a defended pass, the Merchantmen staff comes words short to praise the rookie linebacker. Middle linebacker Cody Cluff said: "Bernie has matured very quickly. This guy is a winner. We were told we needed a pass defending linebacker. Surry has proven he is the solution."

After Surry's picks four others got on the list of interception makers. Nickelback Xavier Clyburn picked off 2 passes and returned one of those for 56 yards and the touchdown. Strong safety Lincoln Gilmore added a 28-yard touchdown return, while Carl Meier and Josh Weisberg added a non-scoring interception. Due to the early big lead, the Merchantmen played a lot of their backups, resulting in defensive stats for 21 different defensive players. With 17 interceptions for the season, the Merchantmen now lead the league as a team.

Despite the defensive showdown, the Merchantmen offense lacked the ability to score for most of the game. Louie Flannery completed 16 of 28 passes for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns, but saw his team forced to go for a field goal more often than not. With 254 total yards, the Merchantmen even got outscored in yards by the Knights, who had 271 total yards. Flannery said: "With this defense, we were able to get away with another so-so performance. It worked today, but we won't get an easy break in all the remaining games."

Kicker Cary Coles unexpectedly won player of the game honors at the end of the day. Coles scored four field goals and five extra points for a total of 17 points. Coles said: "It was a fun game for me, but I think the whole team played well. it was a great game to witness from the sidelines as well. I actually thought that Xavier (Clyburn) or Bernie (Surry) was going to get player of the game honors, but I guess kickers do get recognized in the IHOF."

With the big win in the bags, the Merchantmen are going to prepare for what seems to be another crucial game in the European division race. next week the orange brigade visitis Gothenburg, which is the home of the (also) 5-4 Giants. Headcoach Leroy Van Der Woude said: "We can't expect to win that game on interceptions. It works once, it worked twice for us in consecutive games now, but I doubt we get another shot at it."

But after setting a new league record victory and having a 10-game winning streak in European games, including 4 against Gothenburg, do the Merchantmen have to fear their next game? Right now it mostly depends on how well the Merchantmen offense can play more than anything else. As soon as Randy Harris, Joseph Schoen and the offensive line can show a running game again, this team should be able to defend their European title and make a run in the playoffs.