by Develon Isom
Rocky Mountain Football League
The Dixie Rebels resembled a stumbling boxer caught by heavy fists that make the senses scrambled, and the legs shaky.
Like great champions in those situations do, they held on long enough enduring through a groggy conscience ultimately regaining a clear sight and a stable footing.
The Spartans of Treasure Valley jumped out to a 20-0 lead in Saturday’s game at Walt Brooks Stadium in St. George, Utah, and the Rebels faithful were confused as to what they were witnessing.
The Spartans are one of the RMFL's title contenders
Dixie fought back by putting 28 unanswered points on the board and salvaged their undefeated season raising its record to 4-0 and leveling the Spartans to 2-2.
Spartans defensive back Quentin Bates picked off Rebels quarterback Diarra Fields on the game’s opening offensive set- also Fields first pass attempt.
Taking over on Dixie’s 46-yard line, C.R. Hall cashed in on the turnover by running for a 19-yard touchdown making the score 7-0 Spartans.
Two possessions later, Treasure Valley started on its own 42-yard line after a Rebels punt. Hall led the Spartans six plays 58 yards and capped it by his second TD: a six-yard touchdown run making the score 14-0.
Once again, the Spartans defense delivered a hard punch to Dixie’s air attack. Zacq Hale intercepted Fields at the Rebels 35-yard line and returned the ball to the 18. Hall hit his receiver Lucas Linnemeyer on the first play to make the score 20-0, the PAT failed.
The Rebels are not accustomed to spending time on the canvas searching for a mouthpiece knocked free by a crushing uppercut.
They sucked it up and showed their champion character by fighting back, and keeping its winning streak at seven games dating back to June of last season.
The Rebels are the hunted in the RMFL
With 10:43 left on the first-half clock, Dixie went about returning blows on the opponent that had threatened its previously comfortable domain.
Dallas Irvin got the momentum rolling with a 31-yard rush off left tackle placing the ball on the Spartans 46. Seven plays later, Irvin punched in a 4-yard touchdown giving Dixie its first points (20-7).
Dixie’s defense forced a Spartans punt and started the drive from its own 25-yard line with 4:02 left. Fields hit Robbie Dias for a 33-yard touchdown at the 1:51 mark capping a 7-play drive (20-14).
Vince Feula, perhaps the heart of the Rebels defense, sacked Hall on two consecutive plays forcing the Spartans to punt. The ball only travelled to the Spartan 35-yard line.
Fields struck again with only 10 seconds left in the half when he found Skyler Ence over the top of a defender for 33 yards and the score. Dixie’s Steve Pulver booted in the PAT putting the Rebels up 21-20 at halftime.
The two defenses played stingy throughout the second half. At the 7:43 mark of the fourth quarter, the Spartans were close to going up.
Treasure Valley had the ball on the Rebels nine-yard line with a first and goal situation, but Steve Pulver stepped in front of a Hall pass on the three-yard line and picked off the throw.
Dixie drove 77 yards in four minutes scoring on a Fields 39-yard run making the score 28-20 Rebels.
Treasure Valley started from its own 14-yard line with 2:54 left. They drove the ball to Dixie’s 47 and were stopped on downs by the Rebels defense.
The Spartans team contested the downs thinking that the sideline official had shorted them a down, but the officials would not buy their case.
The Rebels are 14-1 in the last season and a half: the only loss came at the hands of Treasure Valley in Idaho in June.
Rebels are rolling - Photo by Todd Ellis
Game leaders were:
Vince Feula recorded six sacks; eight tackles (four for losses). Steve Pulver had the crucial interception and Robbie Dias recovered a fumble for the Rebels.
Diarra Fields went 7-for-16 passing for 99 yards and two touchdowns (two interceptions). Fields added 119 yards on 17 rushes and another touchdown.
Dallas Irving rushed 15 times for 88 yards and one touchdown.
The Rebels offense totaled 307 yards (33 rushes for 208 yards- 99 passing)
The Spartans were led by C.R. Hall’s 14-of-25 passing for 171 yards and one touchdown (one interception). Hall rushed 14 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
Brion Morris caught six passes for 52 yards, and Ben Mathewson hauled in two for 51 yards. Lucas Linnemeyer added an 18-yard touchdown catch.
The Spartans offense totaled 348 yards (177 passing- 171 rushing).
Spartan defenders Zacq Hale and Quentin Bates both had interceptions.
The game was marred by a serious injury suffered by Rebels offensive lineman Clayton Burgett. Burgett went down in the first quarter with a severely fractured leg. Burgett had emergency surgery Saturday night at the Dixie Medical Center.
Players for both teams express their sentiments for Burgett to recover successfully from the injury and for comfort for his family.
This game was a showing of the quality of the upper echelon of the Rocky Mountain Football League. The Spartans and Rebels battled toe-to-toe and gave football fans a dramatic competition filled with a fierce desire to compete and play with resolve and guts.
Football fans of the RMFL can expect more of the same in the upcoming weeks.
DIXIE 28, TREASURE VALLEY 20
Spartans 14 6 0 0 < 20
Rebels 0 21 0 7 < 28
First quarter
TV < Hall 19 run (Wilson kick)
TV < Hall 6 run (Wilson kick)
Second quarter
TV < Linnemeyer 18 pass from Hall (failed kick)
D < Irvin 4 run (Pulver kick)
D < Dias 33 pass from Fields (Pulver kick)
D < Ence 33 pass from Field (Pulver kick)
Fourth quarter
D < Fields 39 run (Pulver kick)
