By By Jim Luke/special to The Star
August 31, 2002
PHILADELPHIA The Philadelphia Tornadoes were like a well-oiled machine instead of a team playing in their first game of the season as they pounded the Kosciusko Whippets 50-14 here at Harpole Stadium Friday night.
Defense. Offense. Special teams. Everything went well for the Tornadoes in the opener.
On the Whippets' second play from scrimmage, the Tornado defense separated quarterback Eli Dew from the football and Desmond Murray picked up the fumble and raced 22 yards for the touchdown with 11:01 left to play in the first quarter. The point after failed when the snap exchange missed for a 6-0 lead.
The Whippets came right back on an 80-yard catch and run from Dew to Antron Dotson for a touchdown. The point after failed, again because of the snap, and the game was tied 6-6 with 10:47 to play in the first quarter.
When a kickoff goes out of bounds most teams take the ball on their 35-yard line, not Philadelphia. The Tornadoes forced the Whippets to re-kick the ball after that occurred. Senior Tyler Threadgill demonstrated why, as he took in the rekick at his own 12 and raced 88 yards to put the Tornadoes ahead to stay with 10:32 left in the opening period. Porter Jordan was good with the point after and Philly was on top 13-6.
Tyler Rounsaville upset the next offense drive for Kosciusko as he picked off a Dew pass and returned it 16 yards to the Whippet 47. On Philadelphia's second offensive play from scrimmage, Threadgill kept the ball and raced 41 yards for the touchdown to put the Tornadoes ahead at 19-6.
The Tornado defense continued to dominate in the game as Cameron Tawater stripped Dew of the ball in the next possession and Anthony Gray returned the fumble recovery to the Kosciusko 33. Four plays later Threadgill found Orie Hudson on a seven-yard pass for a touchdown with 2:06 left in the first quarter. Murray converted the two-point conversion on a run to give the Tornadoes a 27-6 advantage.
Philadelphia would pick up two more touchdowns in the second quarter as Chris McCurty would score on a one-yard plunge and Threadgill would hit Tawater on a 20-yard touchdown strike. Jordan hit both extra points.
The Whippets added a touchdown on a four-yard run by Channing Kern. Dew hit Melvin Kern for the two-point conversion.
Philly drew final blood in the first half as Threadgill hit a 27-yard field goal as time expired for a 44-14 advantage.
In the second half, the Tornadoes would add field goals of 33 yards and 30 yards by Threadgill for the final 50-14 score.
Tornado head coach Marcus Wood was extremely pleased with the play of his team in the contest.
Threadgill was wearing a smile after the game and a big part of that was from pride in his offensive line.
Threadgill ended the game with 100 yards rushing and one touchdown on seven carries. He also completed four passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to his one return touchdown.
The Tornadoes will be back in action Friday night when they travel to Noxapater to take on the Tigers, while Kosciusko will play host to Winona.