Honolulu, HI - QB Mitchem set the tone early with a huge bomb to WR Von Wyss that ended in a 18 yard catch and run TD to TE Sims and the Vampires cruised to a 31-9 score in Hawaii. HC Perkins' bunch is still undefeated since week 7, posting a league best 7 wins in a row and taking top spot in the Great Lakes division for the first time.
"We were able to make some plays early in the game," Perkins said, "and played well enough to keep the lead. Rusty was a little frustrated last week but he bounced back in a big way today."
Mitchem threw TD passes to TE Sims, Voinovich, and WR Stevenson, finishing with 24-33 for 274 yards and no interceptions. The clean play has been a DET strength this season as the team leads the CFL in turnover margin (-17) and turnovers (5, lower is better). A defensive success at all levels, DT Schindlebeck and the boys notched 4 sacks and FS Cox and CB Louis tallied 2 interceptions.
"Hunter's presence on the field has definitely given us a new dimension on that side of the ball." LB Agustoni said after the game, "Randall's been a little banged up so splitting the snaps keeps them both fresh. We're looking to play in January, so staying healthy is key."
HON has been in a tailspin, losing 4 straight and dropping from the top of the Ring of Fire into the wildcard hunt, and this week's performance did nothing to help. Rookie RB Gaiter suited up this game and the running back committee was moderately successful, but HON was forced to kick two FGs in the red zone when huge plays from LB Agustoni and CB Irwin kept the Hammerheads out of the end zone.
Honolulu travels to Los Angeles this week in a bid to keep their playoff dreams alive. The Vampires will enjoy a short vacation in the Aloha state before returning home to face Iowa City in the game that will decide the Great Lakes champion.
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GG Shooter, hopefully you're still out there watching... ya gotta win the next 3, but I think you'll be able to once Gaiter starts getting fed!
Thanks sverngold for the help!
Vegas has the line at Rounders-10 next week.... might be enough value for Tucson to get a mention in the Betting Preview