(S27) PT5 - Highlight Reel

[shrub02]

As many Grey Duck fans would agree, our highlight of the season came in week 10 against the Portland Pythons. After starting off 0 - 4, the Ducks knew they had to do something drastic in order to have a shot at the playoffs. They improved their record to 4 - 5 and looked forward to the opportunity to beat the Pythons, the top team in their division. This was the chance they needed to cement their position as playoff contenders. The game went back and forth: MINN took an early lead only to see POR tie it up and eventually go ahead by 4 points late in the third quarter. MINN got the ball with 11 minutes left in the game. The offense started driving but set back with a false start penalty. It was now 2nd and 15. Everyone understood that they needed to finish this drive with a TD. With that in mind, TE Bender Rodriguez ripped a clutch 19 yard reception (his longest of the year!) to get the first down and keep the Ducks' hopes alive. The offense continued to move and, after an impressive 8 minute long drive, scored a TD to go ahead by 3, leaving POR with only one shot to come back. They took advantage and drove all the way down to the MINN 28 yard line. They were within field goal range but with 52 seconds left on the clock, they wanted to seal the game with a TD. The POR quarterback dropped back for, saw his target open, and launched the ball. Little did he know that Grey Ducks' safety "Captain" John Price was baiting him. At the very last moment he stepped in front of the receiver and intercepted the ball, ensuring a Grey Ducks victory. The Pythons' stadium fell silent, fans shocked to see it end this way. All you could hear was the thunderous hype of the Grey Ducks' players. With this victory, they knew that their dream of making the playoffs was more real than ever.