Blaze Blast Pioneers 32-13

DES MOINES, IA – After losing their first Capital City Classic in 2015 the Des Moines Blaze bounced back in a big way Saturday night. The game annually pits two of the top semi-pro programs in the nation, the Blaze and St. Paul Pioneers, in a non-league contest before Des Moines tackles their MFA regular season.

               

                      The Blaze started the night off with a bang when DeMareo Darrah found Keonte White for a 66-yard score on the first play from scrimmage. Both players would go on to have a monster game.

               

                      On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle Jordan Smith recorded a team record four sacks and wreaked havoc in the St. Paul backfield all night while Antonio Alexander intercepted Pioneer quarterback Cleve McCoy twice.

                 

                       The teams were tied 7-7 after one quarter. Darrah found rookie Jack Norgaard for a 25-yard score before the Pioneers stole back momentum just before half when McCoy found Rashem Sharpe for their second touchdown connection of the half, cutting Des Moines’ lead to 16-13 seconds before the break.

               

                        The offense kept moving in the second half while the defense took over the game. Alexander intercepted McCoy on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. Darrah found Anthony Meyer for a 21-yard score on the next play. Defense got back out on the field and Alexander picked off the very next Pioneer pass.

               

                         Darrah found White for another score in the fourth quarter to put the nail in the coffin. Darrah finished 11 for 17 for 265 yards and four touchdowns. White amassed 5 catches for 181 yards and two scores. Keevon Bernstine again led the ground game with 107 yards on 23 carries.

                 

                         Special teams ace Matt Best forced and recovered a fumble. Raytron Lamar, Cale Carlson, and Johnnie Rose also forced fumbles, contributing to the Blaze’s six forced turnovers on the night.

                Des Moines travels to the Quad Cities Saturday to take on the Wolfpack in their first MFA contest of the season.