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Boise kicks off AF2 home schedule
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The Boise Burn (1-1) return home this week after defeating the Stockton Lightning (1-2) 51-43 last week in Stockton, Calif. The Burn opened the season on the road and have struggled at times, but they seem to have found a way to piece everything together at the right time, coming back from a 30-0 deficit in their last win.
The Burn were outplayed in their first game against the Tulsa Talons, April 5, losing 65-28. After the first game let down the Burn went out and got a few key players on the offensive line and at fullback, all are experienced veterans.
In the first game the Burn offensive line was struggling, but with the addition of former Burn player Joe Critchfield and Mike Eddy, Boise was back where it needed to be.
“Joe help us tremendously when we needed it most,” Burn Head Coach Lee Leslie said. “He’s a veteran who knows how to play the game, he makes people better around him which we really needed.”
Fullback Derek Beardall came back to the Burn after playing in six games for the Burn last year. Beardall suffered a concussion against the Central Valley Coyotes, which ended his 2007 season.
There is no doubt that the addition of these players helped get the Burn back on their feet. In their game last week against the Stockton Lightning, Boise was able to make an improbable comeback. Going into the second quarter the Burn found itself already down 30-0. Fumbles on their opening drives were the main contributing factor to the early deficit. With former Eagle High and Boise State player B.J. Rhode struggling at quarterback, the Burn called on another Eagle High graduate Royal Gill to step up.
“You could tell that it was a lot of fun for Royal,” Coach Leslie said. “He seized the moment and really played great for us.”
On Gill’s first professional snap he was sacked for a safety giving Stockton a 23-0 lead in the first quarter. Gill was able to keep his composure, however, and lead a ferocious comeback, starting it all off with a 44-yard touchdown pass to Casey Allen making it 30-7 at the half.
After recovering a Stockton fumble on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, the Burn scored and were successful on their two point conversion. Chris Bruhn cut the lead to 30-23 after picking off Stockton quarterback Chad Elliot and taking it 33 yards for the touchdown. The third quarter ended with a George Williams seven-yard touchdown run, putting the Burn down by only one point going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Deronn Finley returned a kick 53 yards for a touch down, Gill had a one-yard touch down run and Williams added another touch down run, this time from five yards out as the burn rallied to win their first game of the year 51-43.
“We stuck to the game plan and trusted each other to make plays,” Gill said. “Having experienced and tough guys not only helped get protection, but helped our running game a lot as well.”
On defense, Bruhn led the way with two sacks and an interception for a touchdown. Defensive back and former Idaho State player Ernie James had two interceptions of his own.
“I have a lot of confidence in these guys, I have played with a few of them in previous seasons,” James said. “These guys work hard in practice and everyone comes with intensity all of the time.”
The Burn start a three game home stand this Saturday at Qwest Arena against the Tri-Cities Fever (0-1). Kickoff is at 7:10 p.m.
TRENT LOOTENS
Sports Writer
