A week of intense practices after a tough loss last week to the Bay Area Pirates in their home opener paid dividends as the Sarasota Millionaires (2-1) defeated the Florida Veterans (2-1) 38-12 Saturday night in Port Charlotte, FL. The Millionaires scored twice in the first quarter and coasted to its second win of the season.
Quarterback Mario Davis found Ben Seymour down the far sideline on a 50 yard touchdown pass play midway through the first quarter to give the Millionaires an early lead they would not relinquish. Patrick “Choo Choo” Brown converted the two-pointer to put Sarasota up 8-0.
“We played a lot better”, said Davis. “We came out and gave it to them early. I’m more confident in the offensive line, believing in them more game by game. The game is starting to slow down a lot more for me.”
Late in the first frame, Gus Blanc recovered a muffed punt on the Veterans 19 yard line. Three plays later, Marvin “Mo” Harris rumbled in from two yards out and Justin Thomas added another two-pointer to give the Millionaires a 16-0 advantage.
“Our offense came out and attacked,” said Harris. “That’s what Coach Givins has been preaching all year long. We have the talent on the offensive side. When we come out and jump on people, it’s hard for a team to come back.”
Sarasota added a third touchdown late in the first half when Mario Davis scored on a 20 yard jaunt capping off a 6 play, 43 yard drive. “Choo Choo” Brown converted his second two-pointer as the Millionaires went into halftime with a 24-0 lead.
Davis tallied his second running touchdown in the third quarter taking it in form 17 yards out after a 10 play, 45 yard drive that consumed 5:53 off the clock.
The Veterans got on the scoreboard with 2:54 remaining in the third when quarterback Justin Midgett connected with Travis Sylver on a 30 yard touchdown pass to make it 32-6.
The Millionaires scored again early in the fourth quarter on Mario Davis’ second touchdown pass of the game, a 15 yarder to Jermaine Green.
The Veterans managed one more score late in the game to make the final 38-12.
Mario Davis completed 10 of 21 pass attempts for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for two more. Patrick “Choo Choo” Brown had 35 yards on 7 carries. The Millionaires “Blackout” defense forced three turnovers in the game.
“The special teams set the tone for the ballgame”, said Millionaires Head Coach Ernest Givins. “Anytime special teams get you great field position, it makes the offense go shorter. We took advantage of what they gave us.”
The Millionaires have a bye week next Saturday and will resume play on Saturday March 9th on the road against the Florida Stingrays.
“It’s a great time for the bye because we have a lot of guys banged up”, the coach added. “The bye comes at a great time for us and we need it.”
Interviews with Head Coach Ernest Givins, defensive Captain Marvin “Mo” Harris and quarterback Mario Davis are posted to this article.
Comments