Sunday, March 5, 2017

CIFL: Bombers Beat Pride, 34-18

CHARLESTOWN, MI-Whitey Barnwell accounted for three touchdowns to help lift the Michigan Bombers over the Portland Pride 34-18 in a Week 4 CIFL game.

Portland went three-and-out to start the game, and Michigan would move the ball 54 yards on 10 plays. Barnwell finished the drive off with a 7-yard touchdown run to give the Bombers a 7-0 lead with 7:56 remaining in the first quarter. The Pride drove their way into scoring position, but Theodis Durkin would miss a 39-yard field goal.

Following the miss, the Bombers went on a 7-play, 71-yard drive. Barnwell would catch a 5-yard touchdown pass from Gitch Tims to go up 13-0 with 14:16 left in the second quarter. Portland answered with an 11-play, 80-yard drive, ending with a 29-yard field goal by Durkin to make it 14-3 with 9:07 left in the half. The teams would trade punts, then Covie Warmack would intercept a Reuben Findley pass and take off for a 45-yard return to the Pride 16-yard line. Five plays later, Jerreld Caudill would score on a 2-yard touchdown run with 59 seconds to go in the half, and Michigan took a 20-3 lead into the locker room.

The Bombers started the second half going 79 yards on 3 plays, the final 68 coming on a touchdown pass from Tims to Dalls Kilburn to go up 27-3 with 13:20 to go in the third quarter. The Pride would punt, but Tims would get picked off by Jonah Thurston who returned it 25 yards to the Michigan 7-yard line. On the next play, Findley completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Robert Robinson. A successful two-point conversion made it 27-11 with 8:17 to go in the third. Tims would get intercepted again, this time by Jasper Idle at the Bombers 39-yard line. But Portland would be forced to punt, and Michigan went on the move with a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Barnwell ended the march with a 9-yard touchdown run to make it 34-11 with 16 seconds left in the third quarter.

Portland would get turned away on fourth down in the fourth quarter. Then after trading punts, the Pride would drive 61 yards on 11 plays. Findley would throw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Shelton Pick to make it 34-18 with 48 seconds to go in the game. The onside kick failed, and the Bombers would run out the clock.

Michigan (3-1) gained 341 yards of total offense. The Bombers ran for 139 yards on 39 carries. Barnwell led the team with 88 yards on 15 carries and 2 TD. Tims went 14-of-26 passing for 202 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. He was not sacked in the game. Bernest Noon (30 yards) and Norm Rancher (17 yards) each caught 3 passes. The Bombers have a bye next week before hosting the Washington Warthogs in Week 6. Michigan defeated the Warthogs 21-14 in Week 1 at Washington.

Portland (2-2) gained 284 yards of total offense. The Pride ran for 89 yards on 20 carries. Kenny Boren led the team with 65 yards on 11 carries. Findley went 28-of-44 passing for 199 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked once for a 4-yard loss. Rex Doran led the receiver with 8 catches for 63 yards. The Pride host the Detroit Neon next week.

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