[MIJB#19]

Merchantmen lose 2083 pre-season opener to Walt Blair in overtime
Walt Blair's return to Maassluis was emotional. With mixed feelings, but mostly in a positive atmosphere, the Merchantmen fans recognized their star running back from two years ago that carried the offense for four seasons. The Brooklyn Fightin' Bums were visiting Oranje Haven in both teams' 2083 pre-season opener.

The Merchantmen scored first, stalling the Fightin' Bums' first drive and replying with a field goal. Chance Arnold took advantage of Kelly Blalock's passes to Riddick Bunting and Monty Elliott to move up field. Brooklyn went up 7-3 on a typical 80-yard drive and got the ball on the next drive after a fourth and short run by Leonard Belin fell short.

Brooklyn quarterback Ross Grinell ran for 4 yards early in the second quarter, Maassluis was kept to a field goal again, despite Kelly Blalock's effective passing. Oranje Haven erupted when Walt Blair was stuffed by first round rookie Heath Oliver on a third and one to force three and out. Chance Arnold scored on the responding drive and after a defensive stand then kicked the deficit to 14-12 on the final drive of the first half.

In the second half, both teams at first continued with the same players that were active in the first half. A couple of sacks pushed the Merchantmen back from the red zone and settled for their fifth field goal of the day, at last reclaiming the lead: 15-14. Defenses stood strong, including another failed fourth and two for the Merchantmen, this time when third down back Raul Curie was tackled for no gain. Merchantmen kick holder Karsten Muchnick then took over for backup quarterback Kelly Blalock and obviously failed to get his team to score.

Both teams stumbled on, until the Fightin' Bums backups finally broke out, scoring a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. After a successful two-point conversion, Brooklyn was up 22-15. Muchnick continued to be nothing but a kick holder and the Merchantmen fans rightfully started to wonder how this offense would even get any more first downs. Gabe Broady saved the day, returning a punt for 58 yards and a touchdown, tying the score just before the two-minute warning. The Merchantmen defense stood tall, the Merchantmen kick holder continued to collect boos. Overtime was the result.

Muchnick surprised the world by completing a 9-yard pass to Dennis Nadell, but a sack and bad throw later, Brooklyn had the ball back. On their second play of the drive, Walt Blair broke out for a fabulous 65-yard run and scored his first touchdown in Oranje Haven not wearing orange-white-and-blue. Brooklyn 28, Maassluis 22.

Kelly Blalock completed 17 of 24 passes for 167 yards and probably solidified his job as the backup quarterback. Karsten Muchnick completed 5 of 10 passes for 41 yards to secure his role as nothing but a kick holder, providing the Merchantmen staff won't be a bunch of blokes by putting him over Blalock in competitive games when Ellis McAlister (inactive today) for whatever reasons isn't on the field. (Which is very likely given the moronity staff members usually display in this game, sigh.)

Leonard Belin impressed, getting just 5 carries for -2 yards, making it one of the most underwhelming running performances by a starting running back, even for a pre-season game. Raul Curie lead the Merchantmen with 50 yards rushing on 14 carries. Jimmie Feffer was inactive.

Riddick Bunting caught 5 passes for 67 yards. Theodore Bondy was inactive.

Rookie left tackle Nathan Hadinger was benched midway through the game, much to the chagrin of the Merchantmen general manager, as the Merchantmen spent a second round pick on him and ordered the staff to give him as much action as possible.

First round picks Heath Oliver and Bart Guthrie were also disappointingly left off the field way too much. Oliver made 2 tackles and 1 assist, with no pass rush stats in as little as 25 plays. Bart Guthrie played on 2 more plays, making even a tackle less than Oliver. Yes, stupidity rules during pre-season games.

The Merchantmen defense allowed 362 total yards, including that 65-yarder in overtime. The Merchantmen offense gained 255 total yards. A tie-game would have done more justice here. If it wasn't for that former Merchantmen star running back. Walt Blair, this is why the Merchantmen fans loved you for four years. you're always welcome back in Oranje Haven, as long as you're not wearing the opponents' uniform.