Game Summaries
08.06.11
GATORS VS FLINT FURY
Birmingham, MI
In a game matching two teams headed in opposite directions, the Michigan Gators had enough bite to ward off the upset minded Flint Fury who looked to avenge an earlier 66-0 thrashing. The Gators in a dead heat with the Detroit Ravens and the Racine Raiders for the Western Conference lead in the EMCFL need to win out to host throughout the playoffs.
The game started with Backup QB Terrell “Primetime Upshaw” seeing his second game action this year. Upshaw who until Saturday was the best kept secret in the Gator arsenal got the ball rolling when on the Gators opening drive found a wide open Terrence Tumpkin for a 49 yard Touchdown and an early 6-0 lead. Jimmie Allen added the extra point to make the score 7-0.
The Gator Defense would have their say forcing a three and out by a shaky Fury offense.
After a Flint punt the Gator offense looked to cash in once again but a stubborn Fury defense would have no part of it and forced a punt.
The Gator “D” looked to pick up where it left off last series and did so when Defensive End Darrin Moore blindsided the QB and caused a fumble that was recovered by Linebacker Mike Warren which turned the ball over to the Gators deep into Fury territory.
It would be a short lived possession as QB Torrence Webster fumbled the snap and the Fury recovered.
The Gator Defense would once again take over and not allow the Fury a First down and forcing a punt.
But on the next play the Fury showed why on any given Saturday even one of the best can be beaten even if it was just one play. Torrence Webster threw his fourth interception of the season to a Fury defender who decided to literally take matters into his own hands by returning it 47 yards and gave the Fury their one and only score of the game.
To his credit, Webster rebounded on the next series when he found rookie James “J.T.” Terry, for a 20 yard touchdown, the score would put the Gators ahead for good.
Jimmy Allen kicked the extra point to make the score 14-7 at the end of the first Quarter.
A swarming Gator defense and an opportunistic offense kept the upset minded Fury at bay for the rest of the game.
Backup QB Terrell Upshaw reentered the game and led the Gators to their third touchdown of the half when he dazzled the crowd with a 10 yard Michael Vick lick run into the Fury end zone. Jimmy Allen continued his red hot kicking to make the score 21-7 Gators.
The Gator “D” celebrating the return of Defensive Coordinator John Kavanagh, ( coaching in his first game since the victory at Southern Michigan) recovered a bad QB center exchange when Devin “50” Bland pounced on the ball and returned possession to the Gator Offense which seemed to now be on track.
The Flint defense managed to slow the bleeding down by holding the Gators to a Jimmie Allen field goal of 34 yards.
The score at halftime was, Gators 24- Fury 7.
Miscues, penalties and defense prevailed in the second half as the only score of the half was a second Jimmy Allen field goal of 44 yards to close out the scoring.
The Gators prevailed by a final score of 27-7 and maintained their standing in both the division and the conference with a record of 6-1.
The Gators also received gifts in the form of a Racine Raider victory over divisional opponent Southern Michigan (who have yet to win since upsetting the Gators two weeks ago) and by virtue of the Detroit Seminoles who avenged an earlier loss to the Detroit Ravens which gave the Ravens their second loss of the season. The Ravens now have two losses in the conference race as they lost to the Gators in the season opener.
The Gators take on the Racine Raiders in the second game of a 3 game home stand with first place in the division, the conference and home field advantage throughout the playoffs at stake.
This is a game that no real Football Fan will want to miss.
Kickoff is at 7 P.M. at Birmingham Seaholm, admission $5.00
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07.30.11
GATORS VS COLUMBUS FIRE
Columbus, Ohio
There is a saying “adversity builds character”, there is another saying “adversity reveals character”
The Michigan Gators exemplified the latter statement by winning a huge game on the road at the Columbus Fire.
There was a lot at stake for both teams but more so for the Gators who are in a tight divisional race with Racine (who won yet again due to a forfeit) and the Southern Michigan Timberwolves fresh off their upset at the Gators last week.
The Gators knew this would be a dogfight for several reasons but no one could have predicted the circumstances that would make this game tough.
The tone for the game was set early on when in the first series a Torrence Webster bomb to a wide open Donald Dotson was called back for holding.
Five additional penalties on the series forced a 43 yard field goal by Rookie Kicker Jimmie Allen to give the Gators a 3-0 lead.
The Fire came right back and took the lead when Fire QB Antwan Gibbs connected with a receiver for a touchdown.
A botched hold on the point after and a heads up play by the Fire, led to a 2 pt conversion and a Columbus 5 pt lead.
The first quarter ended with the fire leading 8-3.
The second quarter began with LB Derrick Tate causing a fumble and a Gator recovery on their 45 yard line.
The Gator “O” would cash in when QB Torrence Webster found WR Donald “Duck” Dotson wide open in the end zone for a TD.
Jimmy Allen kicked the extra point giving the Gators a 10-8 lead.
The Fire would come back to take the lead 11-10 on a short field goal but the Gators answered on a 38 yard Jimmy Allen field goal to make the score, 13-11 Gators.
The Fire took the lead into the half 14-13 on their second short field goal.
The second half began with LB Mike Warren blocking a field goal attempt and Ernest Edmond returning the ball to the Fire 42 yard line.
Mike Youngblood and Tracey McIntyre hammered the ball into the red zone setting up the go ahead score.
QB Torrence Webster threw his second Touchdown pass, this one 20 yards to Terrence Tumpkin to give the Gators a 5 point lead. A Jimmy Allen extra point made the score 20-14 Gators.
The lead would be short lived when the Fire scored on the first play from scrimmage following a kickoff return to their 45 yard line.
QB Antwan Gibbs found a wide open receiver for a 55 yard bomb to tie the score at 20. The extra point was botched and the score remained 20-20 at the end of the third quarter with the Gators driving.
A spectacular 50 yard run by RB Tracey McIntyre was nullified by a “phantom” personal foul against Gator Offensive Lineman Mike Lewis.
After being backed up to their own 20 yard line the Gators would move deep into Fire territory on the passing of QB Torrence Webster.
Penalties and the Gators first turnover, an interception of a pass intended for James Terry, gave the Fire the ball on their 20 yard line.
The Gator “D” and special teams would rise to the occasion forcing a Fire punt.
Cornerback J.R. Estell made a heads up play when a member of the Fire retreated to far away from the punt. Estell fielded the ball on one hop and returned the ball to the Fire 5 yard line.
Mike Youngblood appeared to score on the next play but was ruled down at the 1 yard line. The next play QB Torrence Webster missed the handoff to FB Ricco Hill and was tackled for a 4 yard loss back to the 5 yard line.
Two personal fouls against Gator Offensive Lineman took the Gator “O” out of scoring range and forced a punt from the Fire 35 yard line.
The Fire moved the ball deep into Gator territory but a huge sack by DL’s Daniel Johnson and Bobby Christ forced the Fire back near the 40 yard line of the Gators…
CB Charles Littleton intercepted a pass by Fire QB Antwan Gibbs and returned it into Fire territory.
The celebration was short lived when 2 personal fouls by a Gator DB moved the ball back to the Gator 20 yard line.
QB Torrence Webster has not been denied all season when faced with the task of marching the team down the field to take the lead and this time would not be an exception.
The Precision passing of Webster who completed passes to Zach Finley, Donald Dotson and Terrence Tumpkin moved the ball to the Fire 1 yard line where this time Webster would not miss the handoff and would give the ball to RB Ricco Hill who would dive five yards into the end zone to take a 26-20 lead.
A bobbled snap led to a blown 2 pt try as Webster attempted a pass to blocker Wes Bryant that fell incomplete.
The Gator “D” which had risen to the challenge the entire second half with the exception of one missed assignment would have one more opportunity to show why they are one of the best in the business.
21 seconds stood between the Gators and their 5th win of the season.
A squib kick was returned to the Fire 32 yard line. A Fire TD and extra point would give them a win.
16 seconds on the clock
After a scramble and incomplete pass14 seconds remained
Fire QB Antwan Gibbs sprinted from his 32 out of bounds at the Gator 47 yard line.
5 seconds remained
QB Gibbs launched a Hail Mary pass that fell short as time expired to give the Gators a key road win which kept them in first place in the division and in the conference.
The Gators return home for the first of three straight home games this week vs. the Flint Fury.
The game will be played at Birmingham Seaholm with kickoff slated for 7 P.M.
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07.17.11
GATORS VS FLINT FURY
Things can change in an instant in the world of Semi-Pro Football. It was never more evident than on Saturday when the Flint Fury who was supposed to host the Michigan Gators in Flint, actually hosted the Gators in Detroit. 
The game was to be played at Atwood Stadium in Flint but due to an incident several weeks ago, the Stadium was unavailable. So the game had to be played on friendly ground at Plymouth Educational Center in Detroit.
In addition the game which was slated to start at 7 PM now was to start at 5 PM.
This sudden turn of events was the beginning of what would be a not so good game day for the Flint Fury as the Gators were looking to remain unbeaten in the Elite MCFL and keep pace with Racine who won a 2-0 forfeit over the Waterford Warthogs.
Quarterback Torrence Webster along with a stifling Gator Defense led the Michigan Gators to a record setting mangling of the Flint Fury 66-0.
Webster broke his own touchdown record of five TD passes (set in a 2008 Playoff Game vs. the West Michigan Force) and led the Gators to their 4th win in as many tries in League games. This marks the first 4-0 start in the Gators five year history led by Head Coach, Wendell Jefferson.
The Gator “D” which has done nothing but improve each game since the return of Defensive Guru, John “Coach K” Kavanagh pitched their first shutout in League play this year.
The Defense led by Coach “K” has held the opposing team’s offense scoreless in 8 of the last 10 quarters it’s played.
Since the Season opener against the Detroit Ravens, the opposing team’s offenses have yet to surpass 14 points in a game.
After a slow start on offense, the Gators scored first when QB Torrence Webster Found a wide open Terrence Tumpkin for a 37 yard touchdown pass to make the score 6-0 Gators. Rookie Kicker Jimmy Allen made the extra point to make the score 7-0.
Mistakes and sluggish play by the Gator offense kept the score at 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The alarm sounded and the Gator Offense awoke scoring 3 touchdowns in the second quarter, two of which went to Rookie James “J.T. Terry who made two great plays. The first was a catch and run; while the second was a great “hands” catch with a defender draped all over him.
The Gator “D” not to be outdone recorded a safety which led to a TD Pass by Webster to second year receiver George Grandberry making the score Gators 30-0 at halftime.
The second half began like the first half ended. It all began with a second Derek Tate interception and The Gator “D” forcing a fury punt that was returned near midfield with one exception; Rookie return man Brian Cooper lost the ball and the Fury recovered in Gator territory.
The mistake would be nullified when the Gator “D” once again forced a Fury punt, which landed out of bounds deep in Gator territory.
The Gator “O” would move the ball into Fury territory but could not score and had to punt.
The Gator “D” once again showed why it’s arguably one the best around when Defensive End, Devin “50” Bland, scored his second TD of the season turning a Fury fumble into six points.
Torrence Webster found Donal Mahan for the 2 pt conversion after a bad snap by the center on the extra point attempt making the Score 38-0 Gators.
The 3rd quarter ended that way but the Gator “D” would not let up as Derrick Tate intercepted a Fury pass and returned it deep into Fury territory which set up a short “walk in” TD by College Bound Running Back Tracey McIntyre.
Jimmy Allen remained perfect on the day making his fifth extra point of the day putting the score at 45-0 Gators.
Lamar King felt left out and decided to pitch in when he recovered a fumble and returned it deep into Fury territory.
Instead Torrence Webster found receiver, Arnold Rambus in the end zone making the score 52-0 after Jimmy Allen kicked his 6th extra point.
Second year LB Wes Bryant added an interception that led to Rookie Receiver Brian “Move the Chains” Cooper first touchdown reception as a Gator.
Receiver, Chris “C.J.”McLean closed out the scoring with a spectacular grab over a Fury defender to make the final score; Michigan Gators 66 Flint Fury 0.
The Michigan Gators host the Southern Michigan Timberwolves in a rematch of their game won by the Gators 24-14 on the T’Wolves home field.
The Timberwolves come in after defeating the Toledo Raiders 17-6, looking to avenge the loss.
The game will be played at Birmingham Seaholm with the kickoff scheduled for 7 P.M.
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07.09.11
GATORS VS SOUTHERN MICHIGAN TIMBERWOLVES
What happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force? Stay tuned and you will surely find out!
The visiting Michigan Gators first ever trip to storied Navarre Field in Monroe Michigan to take on the Undefeated, Un-scored upon, Southern Michigan Timberwolves, would prove to be more than just a trip, it was a journey.
After receiving the opening kickoff and moving deep into Timberwolves territory, the journey began.
Ernie Smith intercepted a Kevin Smith (no relation) pass intended for George Grandberry and returned it for a touchdown.
After the extra point the score was the Host Timberwolves 7 the Michigan Gators 0.
The Journey would continue after the Gators fumbled and the T’Wolves recovered in Gator territory after a few plays the Timberwolves scored on a td pass and the extra point making the score 14-0 T’ Wolves.
The Gator offense finally settled down and methodically marched 70 yards and into the end zone on the passing of Kevin Smith, the receiving of James Terry and Donald Dotson, and the running of Mike Youngblood and Tracey McIntyre capped by a short burst by Tracey McIntyre into the end zone making the score Southern Michigan 14-6.
The score remained that way as Rookie Kicker/Punter Jimmy Allen pushed the extra point wide left.
After exchanging possessions that’s the way the half ended, Southern Michigan 14-Michigan Gators 6.
The second half began with the Gator Defense on the field but they wouldn’t be there long as they forced a punt.
Torrence Webster began the second half and marched the team down the field and connected with Donald “Duck “Dotson on a td pass that brought the Gators to within 2 points.
A penalty negated a spectacular one handed grab by Tracey McIntyre that would have evened the score at 14, but the ensuing play was stopped by an interception of Webster to stop the 2 pt conversion.
The Gator “D” now in biting range and smelling blood snuffed out the T’wolves Offense and gave the ball back to Webster and company when 2nd year Linebacker Wes Bryant recovered a stripped the ball from a T’Wolves running back – compliments of Devin “50” Bland.
The T’Wolves defense had a say in the matter as they forced the Gators to punt. That would be the last time the Gators would be stopped when it mattered.
After the Gator “D” forced a punt by the T’Wolves and a penalty nullified a short return by Terrell Upshaw and took the ball back to the Gator five yard line, Torrence Webster and Terrence “T” Tumpkin hooked up on the second longest scoring play in team history.
A play action pass to Tumpkin from Webster for a 95 yard td put the Gators ahead for good and silenced the Southern Michigan Timberwolves crowd making the score Gators 18 Timberwolves 14.
Once again the Gators failed on the two point try.
The Gators kicked off to the T’Wolves and after a two plays the third quarter ended with the Gators ahead 18-14.
The fourth quarter started with the T’Wolves deep in their territory and facing a Gator “D” that hasn’t given up a point in the second half since the first game of the season against the Detroit Ravens.
The Gator “D” smelling blood and circling in the swamp forced another punt by Southern Michigan and that would be the beginning of the end for the previously undefeated and un-scored upon Southern Michigan Timberwolves.
The Gator ground game led by Offensive Captain Mike Youngblood stormed into the T’Wolves red zone as Youngblood scooted around a crushing block by left tackle Ray “Tiny” Clements before being forced out of bounds deep in T’wolves territory.
After runs by David Prince, Ricco Hill and Tracey McIntyre Torrence Webster allowed Terrance Tumpkin to return the earlier favor by making a key block that allowed Webster to score on a keeper which all but sealed the fate of the T’Wolves and Gave the Gators a one game division lead over Southern Michigan and maintaining a tie for first place with the Racine Raiders who defeated the visiting Flint Fury 41-6. Both Racine and the Gators are 3-0 overall in league play and 1-0 in division play.
The Gators travel north on I-75 to take on the Flint Fury next Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 7 P.M.
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06.25.11
GATORS VS SEMINOLES
In what will be deemed another shocking upset, The Michigan Gators stunned perennial Semi-Pro Powerhouse The Detroit Seminoles 26-10 in what is one of the biggest wins in the Gators 5 year history.
The Gators led by hobbled Quarterback Torrence Webster marched down the field on the games opening drive on the legs of Mike Youngblood, culminating with a Webster to Donald “Duck” Dotson touchdown pass to open the scoring.
The Seminoles answered with a long drive of their own ending with a Rasko Apostolovski field goal.
After stopping the Gator Offense the Seminoles took over once again but could not move the ball and were forced to punt.
During the punt the Gators were called for having 12 men on the field which resulted in a Seminoles first down.
The Seminoles then went on a time consuming drive that had the ball on the Gators one yard line.
This would be an opportunity for the Gator Defense to send a message to the massive Seminole Offensive line and backfield.
On first down the Seminoles were held to no gain. On second down no-gain, on third down no gain, finally on fourth down due in large part to a great second effort, Seminole QB Dwayne Walker fell into the end zone to give the Seminoles a 10-7 lead after the pat was made.
The Gators with 1:47 left in the first half drove quickly into field goal range but could not capitalize as Jimmy Allen pushed his field goal attempt wide left as the half expired.
The Second half began with the Gator “D” taking the field first but they wouldn’t stay long as rookie DB Kevin Edmonds intercepted Seminoles QB Dwayne Walker setting up the offense near their 40 yard line.
The Gator “O” led by RB’s Mike Young Blood and Tracey McIntyre marched down the field and into field goal range for Rookie Jimmy Allen to make a mid-range field goal to tie the game at 10-10.
After a short kickoff return the Gator “D” showed why it’s a force to be reckoned with as Devon “50” Bland intercepted a screen pass with a catch that would have made Willie Mays proud and a scoring jaunt that changed the game for good giving the Gators a 17-10 lead that they would not relinquish.
The Gator “D” only to be outdone by themselves would stamp case closed on the Seminoles chances when Second Year LB Wes Bryant would rush the QB force a fumble and sprint into the Seminole end zone from fifty yards out to give the Gators a commanding 24-10 lead into the fourth Quarter.
That would prove to be all the scoring that was needed by the Gators but it wasn’t the last score. After stopping each other once the Gator “O” got the ball back with 7:45 remaining in the ball game and showed they could in fact close out a game on the ground.
Mike Youngblood, and Tracey McIntyre led by the Gator offensive line took nearly 6 minutes off the game clock before punting from the Seminole 30 yard line with just two minutes remaining in the ball game.
The Seminole returner in attempt to make something happen fielded the ball in the end zone and came out only to retreat and be tackled in the end zone giving the Gator “D” the icing on the proverbial “cake” making the final score Gators 26, Seminoles 10.
The Michigan Gators return to action on Saturday July 9th as they face the undefeated, un-scored on Southern Michigan Timberwolves at Navarre Field in Monroe, Mi Kickoff is at 7:05 PM
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06.18.11
GATORS VS RAVENS
It was obvious that the Michigan Gators and Detroit Ravens meant business Saturday night in the Elite-MCFL season opener.
The Ravens had beaten the Gators six consecutive times in the past three seasons and ended the Gators Championship dream last season in the Conference title game 21-16.
On Saturday night, the Gators sought not just to avenge those losses but to begin the new season on a positive note and win their first league game.
( #12 Torrence Webster hands off to #38 Dave Prince in the Gators win over the Ravens on Saturday night. Photo by Susan Calabrese )
The game could not have started better for the Gators who raced to a 13-0 on the strength of a Mike Youngblood Short TD run and the first of Torrence Webster’s four td passes, a bomb to Terrence Tumpkin last season’s scoring leader with 20 td receptions.
The Ravens soared back into the game scoring two td’s to knot the game at 13-13 at halftime.
The Gator special teams added a safety when the ball was snapped over the head of the Raven punter making the score 15-13 Gators.
After exchanging scoreless possessions the Ravens scored 2 unanswered touchdowns to take a commanding 27-15 lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the ballgame.
QB Torrence Webster who had been knocked out of the game with an ankle injury returned to lead his team to a quick score throwing touchdown pass number 2 to rookie receiver James “J.T.” Terry to make the score 27-22 Ravens.
The score was setup by another rookie Quinton Porter who recovered a Raven fumble.
The Gators because of time concerns kicked an onside kick that was returned for a Raven touchdown that appeared to be the game clincher.
With five plus minutes remaining Webster led the Gators down the field and into the end zone throwing td pass number 3 to Donald Dotson to cut the lead to 34-29 with just over 4 minutes remaining in the game.
After forcing a three and out the Gator Defense turned the keys to victory to a hot Offense who was primed and ready for greatness.
Starting deep in their own territory the Gators marched quickly into Ravens territory where they faced a fourth and four with the game on the line.
Webster completed a first down pass to second year receiver George Grandberry and it was apparent they were not to be stopped as Webster completed passes to Granberry and Dotson to get in the red zone.
A pass interference call in the end zone put the ball at the one yard line where Terrence “T” Tumpkin scored the game winner scoring for the second time in the game and giving QB Webster his fourth TD pass of the day to close out the scoring.
After a short kickoff return the Gator “D” ended the day the way it started, sacking Raven QB Mike Akrawi and ensuring the Gators would have their revenge.
The Michigan Gators return to action next Saturday against perennial powerhouse the Detroit Seminoles who won in Cleveland 17-7 over the Saints.
Kickoff is at 7 PM at Wylie Groves High School in Birmingham. This will be the home opener for the Seminoles who share the use of Groves and Seaholm with the Gators.