[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen lose 2088 opener
The reigning European division champions Maassluis Merchantmen have kicked off the 2088 season with a 36-24 loss at the Paris Muskteers. After three head-to-head victories last season, the Merchantmen kept the score close, but looked lost on the field at times.

The Merchantmen started their first drive seemingly well. Francisco Patter carried for 10 and 6 yards, but negative yardage on Francisco Farley's first completion to Theodore Bondy and a hopeless scramble from the second-year quarterback ended the first drive. Paris responded with a quick drive for the 7-0 lead, just needing one third down conversion on the last play of their first possession. On the second Merchantmen drive, Farley was sacked on his first drop back leading the way to a three and out. The Merchantmen defense replied with a three play drive for -4 yards, but saw their offense quickly punt again after just 3 plays. Before the first quarter was over, Paris had marched into Merchantmen territory.

Paris quarterback Gabriel Woodson found Eugene Hamilton for 18 yards on the first play of the second quarter, only to see them settle for a 40-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead. The Merchantmen needed two penalties from the Paris defense to avoid three and out, responding with a 9-yard run from Patter, but a holding penalty destroyed their drive. The defense came though again, forcing Paris to punt after 5 plays. A couple of no gainers for Patter and a hopeless attempt of Farley to find his tight end ended in another quick three-and-out. Paris replied immediately with a 46-yard pass from Woodson to Darrin Sheldon and a 17-0 lead. Another three-and-out followed, but this time the Merchantmen responded as one of the few remaining star players Kirk Hitchcock took the first takeaway of the game with an interception in the Merchantmen red zone. Paris got the ball back just 3 plays later and as they were driving for a sucker punching touchdown, Hitchcock came through even bigger, picking the ball off again and this time bringing it all the way for 93 yards and a 17-7 deficit at half time.

The Merchantmen defense started the second half well as off-season addition Jumbo Mojica sacked Woodson and also recovered the ensuing fumble at the 13-yard line. Farley found Bondy for 12 yards and two plays later in the end zone to bring things back to 17-14. The Paris offense responded with a couple of good throws from Wooden to Sheldon, setting up a 47-yard field goal for the 20-14 lead. A run first approach somewhat worked for Maassluis, but a fourth and two gamble near midfield failed and gave Paris an opportunity to quickly drive downfield and had Woodson connect with Sheldon for a 27-14 Paris lead. Yet another three-and-out was replied by the Merchantmen with their fearsome pass rush; could it be back after a couple of mindboggling disappointing seasons? On a freak play, the Merchantmen out of nowhere got in the end zone again. Theodore Bondy fumbled near midfield, but somehow Fernando Patter recovered it and was allowed to run it 47 yards forward to make it 27-21. Paris responded with a stellar kickoff return and saw Woodson find his tight end for a 35-yard gain towards the Maassluis red zone.

The Merchantmen defense forced Paris to kick early in the fourth quarter, brining the deficit to 30-21, a closer score than it should have been. Farley started connecting with fellow second-year pro Branden Sandlin for two crucial first downs. Patter ran for 13 yards, Farley for 8 yards and rookie kicker Emmett Wells converted a 43-yarder for a respectable 30-24 deficit with nine and a half minutes to go.

And just as the Merchantmen defense seemed ready to take control, they brought out the dumbest of formations in the last 5 decades, allowing the Paris Musketeers to throw for 83 yards and the gut wrenching touchdown. Their two-point attempt failed, but all hope was gone at that point.

The Merchantmen got three-and-outed. Paris took time off the clock until they punted with 3 minutes to go. Farley started connecting with Bondy for 13 and 12 yards, but a deep throw to undrafted rookie Santiago Messenger, the least likely player on the Merchantmen offense to make such a catch, backfired: interception and game over. Paris wasted time, converted on three and six and then knee dropped to victory.

Maassluis sailed back home with a painful loss. The 157 yards of total offense against the 481 yards allowed was half of the story, the turnover battle was clearly won, but that play that never should have been kept behind a would have, could have, should have feeling. Whomever thought it was a good idea to plug a 5'11" 197 pounds player in a linebacker slot is responsible for the ugliness that followed. Maassluis was weaker, but based on their defensive efforts deserved a shot at a miracle comeback from behind victory in the dying seconds. It didn't happen in week one. But it was only week one after all, 15-1 and home field advantage is still mathematically possible...