The moment that everything changed: Halftime Week 10.
The New Orleans Second Line were down 18 at home against San Jose going into halftime. Losing was familiar to NOLA at this point. They were 3-6 and several games out of the playoff picture in the ASFC. Though four of their six losses were just by one score, the Second Line were coming off a demoralizing 24 point loss against the Sarasota Sailfish. Once the team got into the locker room, veteran tight end and offensive captain Austin McCormick stood up. He said, “I believe in this team. We are better than this. We have nothing to lose! Let’s go out there and play fast. Let’s be aggressive! How badly do y’all want to win? This San Jose squad has nothing on us! Let’s go play like I know we can. I believe in this team!”
This was the turning point for the team. The defense played fast and physical to start the half. Zbornak got a sack. Rookie Vinny Jones deflected a pass on third down. Now, quarterback Ben Slothlisberger knew what to do. After taking three sacks and turning the ball over twice in the first half, Slothlisberger came alive. He hit two quick strikes to start the drive. After faking another short throw, he found Austin McCormick on a deep seam route for a 73 yard score. New Orleans had momentum and hope on their side. The defense forced a three and out and the offense put on an eleven play methodical drive to score again! Down by five now. The defense forced another three and out! A couple big time throws to convert two third downs. Another 3rd and seven but this time Sloth finds Barker for a 57 yarder and Bodenhamer for the 2-pt conversion! NOLA up by three! This time the defense allows a bit of room for San Jose. They tie with a 50 yard field goal. NOLA gets the ball back with two minutes and forty four seconds left on the clock. First down: seven yard DPI penalty. Now it’s first and ten from the NOLA 32. It’s Sloth to Barker again! This time 64 yards! He’s down inside the five yard line to the four! 1:23 to play now. Slothlisberger can’t be stopped! He delivers a strike to Bodenhamer for the touchdown! San Jose gets the ball back with a minute to play. Jack finds Crossley for a 32 yarder. Thirty seconds. Crossley with another nine yards. Ball is spiked with seven seconds left. San Jose will have one more shot at the end zone from the NOLA 33. Jack heaves the ball into the end zone. Running back Cardrissian gets his hands on it… No! It’s incomplete! The Second Line win!
New Orleans went on to win six of their final seven games of the season to finish 9-7. They just won a wild card game, and hope to make their second consecutive Ultimus. It all came down to that moment at halftime against San Jose when the team chose to leave it all on the field, no matter what.
The New Orleans Second Line were down 18 at home against San Jose going into halftime. Losing was familiar to NOLA at this point. They were 3-6 and several games out of the playoff picture in the ASFC. Though four of their six losses were just by one score, the Second Line were coming off a demoralizing 24 point loss against the Sarasota Sailfish. Once the team got into the locker room, veteran tight end and offensive captain Austin McCormick stood up. He said, “I believe in this team. We are better than this. We have nothing to lose! Let’s go out there and play fast. Let’s be aggressive! How badly do y’all want to win? This San Jose squad has nothing on us! Let’s go play like I know we can. I believe in this team!”
This was the turning point for the team. The defense played fast and physical to start the half. Zbornak got a sack. Rookie Vinny Jones deflected a pass on third down. Now, quarterback Ben Slothlisberger knew what to do. After taking three sacks and turning the ball over twice in the first half, Slothlisberger came alive. He hit two quick strikes to start the drive. After faking another short throw, he found Austin McCormick on a deep seam route for a 73 yard score. New Orleans had momentum and hope on their side. The defense forced a three and out and the offense put on an eleven play methodical drive to score again! Down by five now. The defense forced another three and out! A couple big time throws to convert two third downs. Another 3rd and seven but this time Sloth finds Barker for a 57 yarder and Bodenhamer for the 2-pt conversion! NOLA up by three! This time the defense allows a bit of room for San Jose. They tie with a 50 yard field goal. NOLA gets the ball back with two minutes and forty four seconds left on the clock. First down: seven yard DPI penalty. Now it’s first and ten from the NOLA 32. It’s Sloth to Barker again! This time 64 yards! He’s down inside the five yard line to the four! 1:23 to play now. Slothlisberger can’t be stopped! He delivers a strike to Bodenhamer for the touchdown! San Jose gets the ball back with a minute to play. Jack finds Crossley for a 32 yarder. Thirty seconds. Crossley with another nine yards. Ball is spiked with seven seconds left. San Jose will have one more shot at the end zone from the NOLA 33. Jack heaves the ball into the end zone. Running back Cardrissian gets his hands on it… No! It’s incomplete! The Second Line win!
New Orleans went on to win six of their final seven games of the season to finish 9-7. They just won a wild card game, and hope to make their second consecutive Ultimus. It all came down to that moment at halftime against San Jose when the team chose to leave it all on the field, no matter what.
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