On July 17th 2010 the MSFL was treated to an early season matchup between the Racine Threat (2009 MSFL Champs) and the Lincoln-Way Patriots (runner-ups in 2009). The Lincoln-Way Patriots traveled into hostile territory as they went to Kenosha, Wisconsin for this rematch. The conditions were tough, as it was a hot and steamy night as the temperature stayed around the low 90's throughout much of the game. The weather, however, did not slow the Patriots and their quest for revenge. The Patriots received the ball first and were able to march (60yds) down the field behind the strong right arm of Mike Strimel. Strimel went 6-8 on the drive and hit many different receivers along the way. Receivers Nate McCullum, Darwin Young, Joe Strimel, and Robert Nicholas were all a part of the 6-8 start by Strimel. The drive was capped off by a Mike Strimel 2yd run and the Patriots gained the lead. A lead that would never be relinquished by the Patriots as the Patriots beat the Threat 45-25 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Throughout the game, the Patriots Offense gave the Threat a nice mix of run and pass and kept the Threat D on their toes. The Patriots gained 200 yds rushing and threw for 240yds on the day. The Offense amassed 400yds of total offense on the day! The Patriots Offense received scores from Mike Strimel (2yd TD run), Nate McCullum (9yd TD reception), Stefan Fanthorpe (19 yd TD reception), Steve Strimel (12yd TD run), and Brian Keltz (11yd TD reception). Mike Strimel stated the following: "We played well on offense today. We did miss some chances to put more points on the board but I was happy with the overall performance of the offense and the team. I also have to give my offensive line credit as they did not allow a sack on the day and opened up holes for the running backs."
The defense would not be out done by the offense as the defense forced five turnovers on the day, with one of those turnovers turning into a TD by William Bils. Bils picked off an arrant pass and went 58yds for the score. Bils also electrified the crowd with an 88 yard kick-off return. Bils along with: Tylor Radtke, Troy Livingston, Marzell Green, Will Long, Jelani Sutton, Robert Nicholas, John Anderson, Abel Cabral, Andrew Short, Adam Schook, Karl Grant and others kept the Racine Threat in check with only allowing 230 yds of offense and much of that was during mop up time. Tylor Radkte had this to say after the game: " We played well on Defense tonight, but we need to improve if we hope to make a run for the Division and the MSFL Championship. We had a couple of mental breakdowns, which we must learn from, but I am happy about the win, and looking forward to having fun tonight but it is back to work (literally and not literally) come Monday, but it was still a solid performance by the whole team tonight."
The Patriots will be back in action this Saturday July 24th 7pm at Lincoln-Way West and they will be hosting the Indianapolis Stampede. Please come and support your Patriots as they strive for another Division Title as well as the MSFL Championship.