CHARLESTOWN, MI-For the Michigan Bombers, kicking has been somewhat of a bugaboo for the team throughout the season. But when it came down to crunch time, Orey Calhoun came through with a 20-yard field goal to give the Bombers a 23-20 win over the Detroit Neon in Week 13 of the CIFL season and wrapped up the CIFL East division title for the Bombers.
After Foster Whitlock intercepted a Ralston Eason pass early in the first quarter, the Bombers went on a 6-play, 33-yard drive that ended with Calhoun kicking a 36-yard field goal to give Michigan a 3-0 lead with 9:05 remaining in the first quarter. Detroit would punt on their next drive, and the Bombers would drive 73 yards on 14 plays. Calhoun would end the 7-minute drive with a 24-yard field goal to make it 6-0 with 14:49 to go in the second quarter.
Cooney Lehigh came in at quarterback for the Neon, and started to move the team. But he would get intercepted by Covie Warmack who took off for a 54-yard pick six to give the Bombers a 13-0 lead with 10:44 remaining in the half. But the Neon would respond with a long drive of their own, going 75 yards on 20 plays. DJ Pilgrim ended the drive with a 32-yard field goal to put Detroit on the board, 13-3 with 1:26 remaining in the second quarter. Russ Toby picked off a Gitch Tims pass late in the half, but Pilgrim would miss a 44-yard field goal attempt at the end of the half.
At the start of the second half, the Bombers went 75 yards on 4 plays. Tims finished it off with a 12-yard touchdown pass to make it 20-3 with 12:40 remaining in the third quarter. The Neon would start on a comeback bid, going on a 7-play, 55-yard drive. Lehigh finished it off with a 3-yard touchdown pass to close the gap to 20-10 with 9:21 to go in the third. The teams traded punts, then Tims was picked off by Jack Jacklin at the Detroit 46-yard line.
The teams traded punts again, then the Neon went 85 yards on 6 plays. Lehigh was flushed out of the pocket, and scrambled for a 60-yard touchdown run to make it 20-17 with 7:50 to go in the fourth quarter. Whitey Barnwell fumbled on the ensuing possession, and Milt Arguelles recovered at the Michigan 22-yard line. After six plays gained five yards, Pilgrim kicked a 34-yard field goal to tie the game at 20 with 4:55 left in the fourth. Michigan would then respond with an 11-play, 74-yard drive that ended with Calhoun making a 20-yard field goal with 1:29 left to take a 23-20 lead. The Neon tried to get into field goal range, but were turned away on fourth down at the Bombers 46-yard line, and Michigan clinched the East.
Michigan (9-3) gained 322 yards of total offense. The Bombers ran for 122 yards on 25 carries. Barnwell led the team with 69 yards on 17 carries. Tims went 17-of-29 passing for 220 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT. He was sacked twice, losing 20 yards. Norm Rancher was the leading receiver with 9 catches for 148 yards. The Bombers go on the road to face the Houston Hotshots next week.
Detroit (7-5) gained 344 yards of total offense. The Neon ran for 134 yards on 30 carries. Lehigh ran for 54 yards on 5 carries and a TD. He went 17-of-27 passing for 182 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. He was sacked four times. losing 25 yards. Leonard Echols led the receivers with 5 catches for 94 yards. The Neon visit the Anaheim Splash next week.
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