SaberCats Continue Winning Ways
“Right now we have found a little momentum,”---James Roe

By Barbara Mason 07.09.11
Bay Area Sports Drive
 

Saturday night the San Jose SaberCats took on the Orlando Predators at HP Pavilion in their quest for the final playoff spot.  They currently sit a single game behind division rivals the Spokane Shock and the Utah Blaze.  After a sparkling performance last week breaking the Jacksonville Sharks 13 game winning streak, San Jose hoped to duplicate that performance and win a second game in a row. 

On the second play of the opening drive the SaberCats had taken a 7-0 lead when quarterback #16 Mark Grieb connected with #9 James Roe in the end zone.  Orlando answered but missed the extra point attempt for a 7-6 SaberCat lead.  San Jose’s second drive was once again a solid return but was stalled when Grieb threw an interception in the end zone giving Orlando a leg up.  That interception recovery proved costly for San Jose as the Predators turned it into 7 points to take the lead 13-7.    The SaberCats scored with ease on their next drive, again Grieb to Roe in a perfectly placed pass into the end zone.  A missed extra point by kicker #2 Juan Gamboa tied up the game at 13 as the first quarter came to an end. 

Orlando opened the second quarter with a touchdown and a 19-13 lead as the Predators missed their second extra point attempt of the evening.  San Jose answered, their march downfield facilitated by three Orlando penalties the score now 20-19 in favor of the SaberCats.  The Predators were able to take back the lead a few plays later now leading by the score of 26-20.  With 5:25 left in the second quarter San Jose’s #26 Chad Cook romped into the end zone and the game was once again tied, now 26-26, as Juan Gamboa missed his second extra point attempt.  The San Jose defense had been giving Orlando quarterback #11 Nick Hill a tough time on many downs but the seasoned quarterback was still able to deliver.  He came close to a number of sacks narrowly avoiding them.  The final Orlando drive of the first half saw that very defense shut down the Predators on their own four yard line and the SaberCats took over on downs.  Orlando continued to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties as the SaberCats marched down to within 10 yards from a half time lead.  Again #26 Chad Cook took the ball into the end zone for a 33-26 halftime lead.   

As the second half began, this game was up for grabs.  Forcing Orlando to a fourth down the SaberCats was called for pass interference and a golden opportunity was squandered.   The Predators were able to tie up the game at 33 and a see-saw battle was underway.  San Jose answered but a third Gamboa kick was missed as the SaberCats led 39-33.   The Predators were knocking on the door as the third quarter came to an end.   

Orlando was facing a fourth down as the final quarter got underway.  The San Jose defense stood their ground with their second stop of the game and the SaberCats were back in business hoping to extend their lead.  #15 Victor James gave them 6 with a run into the end zone and Gamboa added the extra point for a 46-33 lead with just over ten minutes left in the game.  Special teams had been giving San Jose an edge the entire game in an all-around effort by the Sabercats.   

The Predators were undaunted and continued to stay on San Jose’s heels pulling to within 6 points, 46-40 with 8:21 left on the clock.  After two failed SaberCat running plays inside the five, Mark Grieb found #73 Mark Lewis in the end zone to extend their lead 53-40, the Predators unable to stop them.  Orlando’s final drive took them to a failed fourth down and San Jose took over on the Predator 15.  Hungry for more Mark Grieb found #80 Ben Nelson and San Jose would have their second win in a row over a tough Orlando team 60-40.   

“Right now we’ve found a little momentum and everybody is starting to believe now.  Early on in the season one side would play and then the other side but the last couple of weeks we have done it collectively,” said fan favorite James Roe after the victory.  “That is what SaberCat football is all about; going out there and playing as a team and executing offensively, defensively and on special teams.”  Despite being down at one point early in the game Roe felt that the team fought back.  “We were able to keep our poise, keep our head up and continue to play together as a team.” 

#26 Chad Cook was sailing high after the two rushing touchdowns he scored in this game and more importantly the win.  “That what we focused on this whole week and that’s what we are trying to play with right now, all four quarters and everybody playing collectively,” he said.  Collectively seems to be the theme within the team right now and they are certainly bringing it to the field as they head out for two tough road games to finish the regular season.

Game Photo Gallery 7/01/11>>