San Francisco – The Bay Area – (5 March 2001) — And Hell it was. Final score SF Demons 39, Birmingham Bolts 10. A win by a margin of 29 points! Who would have believed this is without Mike Pawlawski, who will be sidelined three weeks with a neck injury. It started in the first drive. Like I said, the Demons have to scored early and often. The Bolts hadn’t scored a single point in the first quarter…and they still haven’t!
First quarter, the Demons short-circuited the Bolts with two TD in the first half. Barnes completed pass after pass and capped the long drive that lasted 10 plays for 76 yards with a 2 jump over the goal line. Juan Johnson, Demons RB replacement, converted for the extra point. On the 2nd drive started on the 35 yard line after Demons WR Cunninghan return a punt for 26 yards. Cunningham ran for 7 yards. And Roberson caught two passes, first a 10 yarder, than a 19 yarder for the Demons touchdown.
Second quarter, the Demons scored another TD with the help by Demons DT Emile Palmer picked up Bolts QB Casey Weldon’s fumble at the 20 yard line. Four plays later, Pat Barnes through his 2nd TD pass, a 11 yard pass to Juan Johnson. Terry Battle was stopped short of the goal line for the extra point. Score: 20-0 before the half. Near the end of the half, the Demons gave up a 24-yard kickoff return and a 45 yard run by Bolts RB James Bostic. The drive resulted to a 30 yard field goal kick. At the half it was 20 – 3. And the rout was on!
Third Quarter, the Demons were so close to scoring a interception! Greg Williams intercepted the ball and returned it 49 yards. Stopped at the three yard line. Great call, in just one play the Demons scored. Terry Battle scored the 4th touchdown of the game. The Extra Point was good, Demons LB Pita Elisara catch from Barnes. End of third quarter, Demons up 27-3!
Forth Quarter, Panasuk scored kicked two field goals. First FG was after Jimmy “The Jet” Cunningham’s 30 yard return. Panasuk was good for a small 24 yard kick. Several minutes later, Panasuk kicked a long 42 yard field goal to extend the lead to 33-3. The Demons only gave up 37 yards yard passing excluding this play: A 92 yard pass by Jay Barker, who replaced Casey Weldon, to Stepfret Williams. It was the Demons by far the biggest gain and only TD allowed by this defense. But the Demons responded with a 47-yard touchdown punt return with 47 second remaining. Vaughn Dunbar’s run was no good. Final Score was 39-10.
What a rainy day! And in my opinion, this game should have been televised. If only there was no controversy between Ventura and Tillman. NBC has only one more chance to televise a Demons game! It will be in three weeks, Saturday March 24, 5PM PST at Pacific Bell Park. If they don’t televise this game, it will be dissapointing for Demons fans who are the most loyal in the league. Though the other game is Las Vegas Outlaws at Los Angles Xtreme, they have to at least know that the best fans in the XFL are in San Francisco (or near it), as 33,403 attended the game at Pac Bell.
Enough of my venting. Next Demon’s victim: NY/NJ Hitmen will suffer in the Hell Hole.
