Sabres Defeat Tigers 19-18

In the first week of the WPIFL (NAIFL USA NORTH) season, the Pittsburgh Sabres narrowly escaped defeat at the hands of the Mahoning Valley Tigers at Southpointe Fieldhouse in Canonsburg, PA.

After falling behind 12-0 early, the Sabres held their ground and finally found the end zone in the 3rd quarter on a 7 yard pass from quarterback David Brickner (10) to wide receiver VaShawn Patrick (24), bringing the score a bit closer at 12-6. Jared Thomas (17), the Sabres placekicker suffered a grade 2 ankle sprain on a blocked attempt at a 3-pt PAT from the midfield circle.

Late in the 4th quarter, the Sabres defense brought their hard-hitting ways to the field as they held the Tigers to a 4-and-out with less than one minute remaining.

As the rule indicates in arena football, the offensive team must gain positive yards in order for the clock to continue to run when inside the “one-minute warning”. The defense, led by Josh Meyers (98), Grizzy Walker (92) and Adam Henderson (23), stopped the Tigers for a loss on four straight plays – conserving 47 seconds for the offense to work with.

With hard-hitting and the occasional “de-cleating” of a would-be blocker (right), King Dean (5) and the rest of the Sabres’ defense stood their ground and the stand proved to be the turning point in the last second come-from-behind victory.

The Sabres’ next game is against the PA Raiders on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 9pm. All games are played at the Southpointe Fieldhouse in Canonsburg, PA. Admission is only $5 – kids under 10 free.