GAME RECAP: vs Florida Firecats

The Boise Burn control their own destiny, when the topic of playoffs comes up in conversation and tonight the Burn took care of business knocking off the American Conference South Division leading Florida Firecats (9-5) in front of a sell out crowd of 5,036 at Qwest Arena Boise jumped out to an early 14-0 lead 5:28 into the game. On the second play from scrimmage, Royal Gill hit Brian Hernandez for a 22 yard TD for the 6-0 lead after the missed P.A.T. Following a defensive stop, Hernandez (Schutt Offensive Player of the Game) scored his 2nd TD of the first quarter on an 11 yard strike from Gill. Jason Laumoli ran in the 2 point conversion giving Boise the 14-0 lead. Florida would cut the lead in half with 4:15 left to go in the first. Chris Wallace found Magic Benton in the endzone from 8 yards out getting Florida within 7 at 14-7 after 1 quarter of play. The Burn would turn to their running game in the second quarter. Jason Laumoli took the hand off 18 yards for the score and the 21-7 lead. Following a fumble, Boise would increase their lead to 21 when Royal Gill took it in from a yard out and the 28-7 lead. Benton?s 2nd TD of the game, this time from 31 yards out, cut the lead in half at 28-14. With a minute left in the half each team swapped rushing TD?s. Ahmad Harris 3 yard TD run put the lead back to 21, but just 26 seconds later, Brandon Isaiah, in his first af2 game of the year scored on a 4 yard run cutting the lead to 35-21 at the break. Florida got to within 8, 5:56 into the 3rd quarter. Wallace found Matt Burstein in the endzone on a 10 yard TD cutting the lead to 35-27. Boise would score 16 unanswered to take a 24 point lead into the 4th. Gill connected with Harris on a 39 yard TD, then following a safety, Gill hit Hernandez for the 3rd time, this one from 11 yards out giving Boise the 51-27 lead heading into the 4th quarter The Firecats would get to within 10 with 3:40 left in the game. Benton?s 3rd TD of the game, an 8 yard strike, made it 51-35 and Carlos Campbell 53 yard interception return for TD got Florida to within 10 at 51-41. With a minute left Boise put the game away on a Gill 1 yard TD run. Florida would score with 12 seconds left but on the 2 point conversion try, Travis Tofi forced the fumble and Chris Solomona took it 47 yards the other way for the 2 point return as the Burn keep their playoff hopes alive with the 59-47 victory. The Burn (8-6) finish the season on the road with games at Central Valley next week and then at Spokane to finish their regular season schedule. Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Brian Hernandez (BOI) JLS Ironman of the Game: Levi Madarieta (BOI) ADT Defensive Player of the Game: Mark Weivoda (BOI) Cutters Catch of the Game: Matt Burstein (FLA) Attendance:5,036