Syracuse, NY - This past Saturday, July 8th was a reunion of sorts; the Syracuse Strong traveled to the home field of familiar foe, the Troy Fighting Irish to start the second half of GDFL regular season play.
The Strong received the ball first and was picking up momentum with a decent drive down the field until a 3rd down perfect pass from Strong QB - Shakem Buckmon to WR -Nhy'quan Drake, resulted in a fumbled near the Irish 11yard line, turning the ball over to the Fighting Irish.
The Troy Fighting Irish's celebration was very short lived. On the first play from scrimmage, the Fighting Irish running back fumbled the ball after being hit, turning the ball back over to the Strong.
Early turnovers was the real story of the first half. On their second play from scrimmage after the Troy fumble and with the Strong threatening to score at the top of the second quarter, the Strong give the ball right back to the Fighting Irish when an attempted touchdown pass is intercepted in the end zone by the Fighting Irish.
After the Irish go 3 and out, the Strong makes another drive down the field, eventually getting on the board with an 18 yard field goal from Strong Kicker, Tom Stadnicki, putting the Strong in the lead by a score of 3 - 0.
After the Irish goes 3 and out again, the Strong put together a nice run drive before QB - Shakem Buckmon found WR - Sultani Campbell on a 39 yard touch down pass, followed by an extra point kick by Tom Stadnicki, increasing the Strong lead to 10 - 0. The Irish would get the ball once more before heading into the half, only to throw an interception to Strong DB - Al Heath, who ran for nearly 40 yards before being stopped on the Irish 30 yard line.
The Fighting Irish would receive the ball to start the 3rd quarter and made an impressive drive all the way down to the Strong 11 yard line before turning the ball over on downs.
The 3rd quarter was relatively uneventful; but the 4th quarter wasn't. Reminiscent of the first half, a long pass attempt by the Strong was intercepted by the Irish on their own 4 yard line; but unfortunately after a decent drive down the field, a Fighting Irish pass would be intercepted by Strong DB - Kj White, who then returned the ball for 35 yards resulting in a pick-6; and of course add the Stadnicki extra point, increasing the Strong lead to 17 - 0.
The Irish would continue to battle with another decent drive before turning the ball over on downs.
The Strong would strike once more sealing the fate of the Fighting Irish, with at 3yard touchdown run from Strong RB - Ishmeik "Loodie" Allen and a Stadnicki extra point, bringing us to a final score of 24 - 0 in favor of the Strong.
The Syracuse Strong will travel next on July 22nd to Buffalo, NY to take on the New York Falcons.