When this year's CSU-Pueblo schedule was analyzed it was clear the key to the season would be a gigantic three game gauntlet. Games on the road versus Chadron State and Nebraska-Kearney coupled with a national television date against Colorado Mines would determine if this season would be a great one, a good one or a disappointing one. As we all know now this season has the chance to be that great one. Mission Accomplished. But as the Bush Administration failed to realize, the Thunderwolves know the really hard work is only beginning. The first leg in the rest of the season began with a date with an underachieving Colorado Mesa on Saturday night. The Pack opened the game just fine with the defense forcing an early punt. Thunderwolves QB Ross Dausin and the rest of the offense went to work carving through the physical Mavericks for an early 7-0 lead. It was a calming feeling getting off to a great start. But it would only last long enough for the teams to line up for the ensuing kickoff. If there is an achilles heel to this year's Thunderwolves ball club it is kickoff return coverage. It reared itself again as Maverick Jordan Price raced 100 yards to tie the game at 7-7. On their next possession more unease filled the stadium as sure-footed placekicker missed a 40-yard field goal attempt. The next possession ended with a punt. Then Domonique Lewis burst through to sack Dausin to end the next series to create doubt that hasn't truly been felt at home this season. Following the sack Mesa's offense put together its only real good drive of the game marching 53 yards in 11 plays before stalling out. Caleb Pavy missed from 44 yards and the game stayed tied at 7-7. The Pack answered with a brilliant drive that mixed run and pass capped off by Dausin hitting Roger Pfannenschmid in the back of the endzone for a 14-7 Thunderwolves lead. A Jon Bailey interception return to the Mavericks seven had the Pack poised to increase the lead but inexplicably Dausin floated a third down and goal pass into the endzone that was picked off by Maverick Travis McRae. The Thunderwolves went to the locker room with nearly double the numbers of Mesa in every key statistical category yet only led 14-7. CSU-P punted on its initial second half possession to only add more fear to the 6737 fans in attendance. That is when Josh Costa decided to take matters into his own hands picking off Maverick QB Steve Romero near midfield and returning the ball 39 yards to set up first and goal. Jamaal Johnson then went to work out of the "Wild Pack" formation hitting Pfannenschmid for big Bubba's second TD reception of the game. A botched fake field goal would give a little life support to Mesa but the Thunderwolves defense held them in check the rest of the game. Major would add two more field goals to finalize it at 27-7. The Pack had survived the first of four opponents quasi playoff games. Mesa was jacked up for this one. They hit hard. They also did their fair share of jaw jacking the first three quarters. But in the end their mouths were left to gasp for air as CSU-Pueblo pounded them into submission. Thunderwolves head coach John Wristen had told me earlier in the week that this was the game that he feared. But then again he most likely will tell me again this week is the one he truly fears. And you know what? I will believe him because it is the next potential "land mine" on their schedule as the Pack travels to the other Las Vegas for a battle with unpredictable New Mexico Highlands.
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----------MIGHTY MEISNER-----All American candidate Lee Meisner seemed to take the Mavericks smack talking personally as he raised his quiet intensity to register 15 tackles. It was a struggle early on this season for the senior middle linebacker just to get loose let alone play at his customary high level. But as this season continues onward and upward Meisner is seemingly oblivious to whatever pain he is feeling and continues to raise his game in the stone cold silence he always has. It should also be noted that fellow inside linebacker Buster Thede played a fantastic game filling in for injured Damon Schiele. The junior from Pomona in Arvada delivered several crunching hits in recording 12 tackles on the night.
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----------WILD PACK ANYONE-----During last night's broadcast of Thunderwolves football I tried out a new way of describing the formation in which the Pack lines up without a QB and direct snaps the ball to a running back. It is commonly called the "wildcat" formation and has been used in one variation or another for over 100 years. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcat_formation ) Jeremy Capo contacted me early last week with his idea that the formation should be called the "Wild Pack" formation here at CSU-Pueblo. I liked the idea but immediately told Capo that my partner Joe Cervi would hate it. But I decided to go with it anyway without discussing it with him. Oh man, if looks could kill! Needless to say we had a spirited conversation about it on the air for a few plays that followed. Later in the broadcast I more or less relented and went back to calling it the "wildcat" formation. But according to my facebook fan page poll the public likes the new title of "Wild Pack." All you Facebookers can continue to way in on the Jim Brooks Fan Page. As for the others feel free to leave your comments right here in the Brooksy Blog comments section.
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----------TEBOW TIME-----For three and a half quarters the Broncos-Dolphins game was a cure for insomnia. I should know. I passed out cold right here in this chair I am writing at about midway through the third quarter. I awoke to the Broncos recovering an onside kick setting them up for a potential "miracle" finish by the former Gator in front of a crowd that was mostly cheering every move he made. It is painfully obvious Tebow at this point in his young career doesn't possess the skill set needed to win consistently in todays NFL. But for this day, in this game, against a brutal Dolphins squad, Tebow had that special quality that very few of us will ever know or possess. The reactions alone of all those grown men running and jumping around celebrating the victory speaks volumes in my mind. Next week I will be sure to get my nap in before the game starts.
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----------SPILLED KOOL AID-----Previously in this blog I told you I was convinced Centennial had the goods to go deep in the 3A playoffs. Now they are in the fight for their postseason lives after dropping a 41-26 decision at Palmer Ridge Friday night. The Bulldogs started fast leading 7-0 after the first quarter. The teams went to the locker room tied at 14-14 but Centennial failed to answer the second half bell as Palmer Ridge scored 24 unanswered points before the Bulldogs could respond. As it has in the past few seasons the Bulldogs defense in particular against the run let them down. Centennial will most likely have to win next week versus 1-4 Classical Academy and then again in the season finale on the road against number one ranked Canon City.
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----------BEST TWO OF THREE-----The World Series so far has been pretty darn good. For the most part the pitching has been outstanding. Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols provided much needed muscle slugging three home runs in game three to erase somewhat the stain he left by not facing the media following his error that enabled the winning run to get into scoring position. I am sticking with my prediction of St Louis in six.
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----------PROGRAM REMINDERS-----The John Wristen Show presented by Miller Lite is Wednesday at Buffalo Wild Wings at 7pm. As always you can listen to the show while enjoying wings and a cold Miller Lite over the BWW's in house sound system. We would love to have you join us. If you cant be sure to tune in on 590KCSJ-AM or www.590kcsj.com . Our next broadcast of Thunderwolves football is Saturday night from Las Vegas, New Mexico as the Pack takes on New Mexico Highlands. Pregame show is at 530pm and kickoff at 600pm. Our CNM television game this week is South vs Fountain-Fort Carson. Broadcast premier is set for next Saturday at 1000am. Prime time premier is Sunday evening at 600pm.
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