Tuesday, March 7, 2017

CIFL: Portland Defeats Detroit, 28-23

PORTLAND, OR-The Portland Pride defeated the Detroit Neon 28-23 in Week 5 of the CIFL season.

The Pride punted to start the game, and then Jasper Idle picked off Cooney Lehigh and rack it back 15 yards to the Neon 29-yard line. After six plays gained 17 yards, Theodis Durkin finished it off with a 29-yard field goal to give Portland a 3-0 lead with 9:14 left in the first quarter. The Neon moved into scoring position on their next possession, but DJ Pilgrim missed a 49-yard field goal attempt. Following the miss, Portland drove 61 yards on 6 plays. Reuben Findley finished the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Isao Parish to make it 10-0 with 28 seconds to go in the first.

Detroit answered with an 8-play, 51-yard drive. Pilgrim would finish the drive with a 26-yard field goal to make it 10-3 with 12:33 remaining in the second quarter. Portland would respond with a 13-play, 77-yard drive. Durkin kicked a 20-yard field goal to go up 13-3 with 7:28 left in the half. Sylvester Ledd was overwhelmed at the Neon 7-yard line on the ensuing kickoff, and Hal Harbin sacked Lehigh in the end zone for a safety to make it 15-3 with 7:07 to go in the second quarter. Kenny Boren returned the ensuing safety kick 36 yards to the Neon 43-yard line. Following a 7-play, 36-yard drive, Durkin kicked a 24-yard field goal to make it 18-3 with 3:53 remaining in the half. Detroit would answer with a 9-play, 52-yard drive. Pilgrim ended the drive with a 37-yard field goal with 21 seconds to go, and trailed 18-6 at the half.

The Neon opened the second half with a 6-play, 31-yard drive. Pilgrim kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 18-9 with 11:11 to go in the third quarter. The Pride answered with a 7-play, 51-yard drive, and Durkin kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 21-9 with 7:28 remaining in the third. Detroit would punt, and Gregory Garman returned it 74 yards to the Neon 13-yard line. However, Boren fumbled at the 3, and Russ Toby recovered for the Neon.

After another Detroit punt pinned Portland back at their own 5, the Pride went three-and-out and Denver Smits returned it 10 yards to the Pride 29-yard line. On the next play, Lehigh threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Webb Bollinger to make it 21-16 with 13:44 left in the fourth quarter. The Pride would answer back with a 14-play, 74-yard drive. Findley threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Rex Doran to make it 28-16 with 7:39 left in the fourth. Detroit responded with an 11-play, 59-yard drive, and Lehigh completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Lynn Lard making it 28-23 with 3:29 left in the game. Portland attempted to run out a clock but had to punt. But a botched snap by William Pegg forced him to pass the ball, and he completed it to Fred Easley, but they were 2 yards short on the Neon 32-yard line. However, Detroit failed on fourth down, and the Pride would run out the clock.

Portland (3-2) gained 314 yards of total offense. The Pride ran for 123 yards on 31 carries. Boren led the team with 72 yards on 18 carries. Findley went 17-of-31 passing for 207 yards and 2 TD. He was sacked four times, losing 28 yards. Doran led the receivers with 4 catches for 40 yards and a TD. The Pride will visit the Sacramento Knights next week.

Detroit (2-2) gained 322 yards of total offense. The Neon gained 52 yards rushing on 19 carries. Lehigh led the team with 34 yards on 5 carries. He was 26-of-41 passing for 301 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times, losing 31 yards. Dete Troxel led the receivers with 6 catches for 53 yards. The Neon will stay on the west coast as they visit the Seattle Seadogs next week.

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