CHARLESTOWN, MI-The Continental Independent Football League's inaugural Championship Game was everything that fans and CIFL officials hoped it would be and more.
The Michigan Bombers and the Portland Pride engaged in a heavyweight fight that saw both teams take the other's best shot, and come back for more. Ultimately, it came down to overtime and the Bombers would take the victory by a final of 41-35.
On the second play of the game, Portland's Reuben Findley fumbled the snap, and Norman Meads recovered for the Bombers at the Pride 17-yard line. Five plays later, facing a fourth-and-goal from the 2, the Bombers went for it and scored on a reverse by Oneal Little to give Michigan a 7-0 lead with 12:33 to go in the first quarter. After a Portland punt, the Bombers went on the move again, with a 17-play, 66-yard drive that included a 17-yard gain on a fake punt pass by Bucky Oost to Turk Neff. Michigan would end the near eight-and-a-half minute drive with a 33-yard field goal by Orey Calhoun to take a 10-0 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the first.
After the Pride went three-and-out, the Bombers moved downfield again, going 77 yards on 6 plays. Jerreld Caudill put an end to the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run to extend Michigan's lead to 17-0 with 10:09 left in the second quarter. But one defining characteristic of Portland, particularly in the latter part of the season, has been their ability to come back. This game was no exception. After trading punts, the Pride finally got rolling as they drove 68 yards on 6 plays. Findley would finish the drive off with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Rex Doran to make it 17-7 with 38 seconds left in the half. Then on the ensuing Bombers possession, Josey McCain picked off Gitch Tims and took off 28 yards for a pick-six to make it 17-14 with 19 seconds to go in the half.
Michigan would punt on their first possession of the second half, then Portland would drive 55 yards on 7 plays, culminating in Findley throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Shelton Pick giving the Pride a 21-17 lead with 9:14 to go in the third quarter. The Bombers would answer back with an 8-play, 29-yard drive ending with Calhoun kicking a 53-yard field goal to make it 21-20 with 5:34 left in the third.
Following a Portland three-and-out, Michigan moved downfield once again with a 14-play, 67-yard drive. Tims finished it off with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Norm Rancher, and the Bombers successfully went for a 2-point conversion to pull ahead 28-21 with 13:28 to go in the fourth quarter. After another three-and-out by the Pride, the Bombers would go 40 yards on 7 plays, ending with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Tims to Whitey Barnwell to make it 35-21 with 8:50 to go. But once again, Portland showed their will to come back, as they drove 86 yards on 16 plays. Findley would throw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Irv Tranthem to close the gap to 35-28 with 1:46 left in regulation. The Pride would force the Bombers to punt, then went on a quick 4-play, 68-yard drive. Findley completed the comeback with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Doran with 16 seconds left to tie the game at 35 and send it to overtime.
The Pride went three-and-out to start the overtime session, then the Bombers had a chance to win the game on a 44-yard field goal by Calhoun, but the kick was wide. But Marco Ancell picked off Findley at the Michigan 42-yard line. The teams would then trade punts, and Michigan would drive 62 yards on 7 plays. Tims would finish it off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Bernest Noon with 5:11 left in overtime to give the Bombers the championship.
Michigan gained 404 yards of total offense. The Bombers ran for 143 yards on 39 carries. Caudill led the team with 55 yards on 15 carries and a TD. Tims went 25-of-40 passing for 261 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked three times, losing 17 yards. Kirk Norman was the leading receiver with 6 catches for 66 yards.
Portland gained 326 yards of total offense. The Pride ran for 80 yards on 25 carries. Kenny Boren led the team with 47 yards on 11 carries. Findley was 22-of-40 passing for 260 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 14 yards. Doran was the leading receiver with 9 catches for 128 yards for 2 TD.
Note: This ends the CIFL season. Next up, we will be recapping the second season of the AFL, beginning with the defending champion Detroit Drive opening the season against the Colorado Crush. Recap to come tomorrow. Same UFL time, Same UFL channel!
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