WEST DES MOINES, IA – The Des Moines Blaze found themselves in unfamiliar waters Saturday night, trailing the Kansas City Bulldogs 21-3 just before half. The team went dormant for the majority of the first half, setting up an epic comeback for first year Head Coach Tom Mihalovich’s squad.

              

          Last year in the MFA Championship Des Moines went the length of the field in the final 20 seconds of regulation to kick a game tying field goal as time expired, eventually winning the crown in double overtime.       

This year a Brent Tisl field goal put Des Moines ahead on their first drive. Then Kansas City went on a 21 point run. Darrell Jobe broke away for two long touchdown runs and former Blaze safety Tyrone Groves intercepted a tipped DeMareo Darrah pass and took it back the distance to put the Bulldogs way out front.

              

            The two defensive powerhouses forced five turnovers a piece, but it was the Des Moines offense who was able to move the ball with some consistency in the second half while the Blaze defense took control of the game.

               

          Corner T.J. Simmons intercepted three passes and inside linebacker Mike Liggins was all over the field, racking up 11 tackles, an interception, and a safety. Des Moines’ shutdown D allowed them to score 28 unanswered points. 

            

              The comeback began when Darrah found Jack Norgaard in the back of the end zone on a third and long with 19 seconds left before halftime. A failed extra point attempt sent Des Moines into the locker room trailing 21-9.

              

            A blocked punt on the first possession of the second half set Des Moines up in great field position. Darrah found Norgaard in the end zone again. A short touchdown to the league’s leading receiver, Keonte White put the Blaze up for good. Darrah’s fourth TD pass, a 66-yard bomb to White, put the nail in the coffin.

              

            Darrah was harassed in the pocket all evening, throwing a season high three interceptions while going 10 for 25 for 190 yards.  White led all receivers with 87 yards on four catches, and Keevon Bernstine led the way on the ground with 70 yards on 20 carries.

               

           The win improves the top ranked Blaze’s record to 5-0 on the season heading into this week’s trip to face the Northwest Iowa Bulldogs.