First game @ Hassleholm Hurricanes

Yesterday was our first game of the season. We traveled about 30 miles to a town called Hassleholm. Their team is the Hurricanes. Hassleholm was an average team last year but has signed a QB out of Canada who is also coaching their offense. Going into the game i knew we would have more speed then them but i was very uncertain how improved they would be and whether their new offense would give our defense troubles.

#5 Sacce Hörnquist(LB)

I was very happy with the focus and energy our team brought to the game. The day started with a 9:00 coaches meeting to choose captains and go over some last minute special team issues. At 9:15 we had a team meeting in the clubhouse and i talked to the guys about staying focused and executing the little things. I knew if they went out and did the small things right the big plays would come. At 9:30 Karsten and Anders had prepared a light breakfast for the guys and we hung out and ate until we hit the road at 10:30. We arrived shortly after 11:00 and after getting dressed we were on the field for warm ups at noon.

When Hassleholm came onto the field they were bigger both in size and in #s then I had expected. I knew that their size could wear us down and scoring early was important. The captains for the game were Ben Hörnquist WR, Phil Juhlin QB, Peter Burén DE, and Sacce Hörnquist LB. I told them if we win the toss we want the ball. Hassleholm won the toss and deffered to us which was their first mistake of the game.

Left #21 Alex Nilsson(DB),
Right #11 Ben Hörnquist(WR)

Hassleholm came out and started the game in a 4 man front running base cover 3. We threw bubble screen a couple times both gaining big yards and then threw a slant on the outside on the 4th play of the game for a 15 yd TD to Semir Sitarevic WR/TE. The Defense came out fired up and on the 5th play of the drive Alex Nilsson came on a safety blitz and rocked the QB causing a fumble and we got the ball back with great field position. A couple plays later Juhlin found Sorin Pandrea WR/RB for a 30 yard pass down to the 1 yard line. RB Anders Larsson punched it in for the 1yd TD.

Hassleholm came back with a nice drive and scored on a QB naked boot keeping the game from being an instant blow out at 12-6. After a poor kick we got the ball with decent field position and on the second play Juhlin found Sorin Pandrea WR/RB again. This time for a 50 yd TD pass. The defense caused another turnover. This time a nice interception by CB Johan Vighagen. Not long after we got the ball back WR Mackan Johnsson found an open zone and was on the receiving end of Juhlins 3rd TD pass. The defense held strong and forced Hassleholm to punt with 3 mintues before the half. Juhlin executed the offense brilliantly and moved the chains down to the Goalline where RB Calle Nielson found the end zone for a 2yd TD as the time expired in the half.

Predators 35 Hassleholm 6 at half.

#22 Anders Larsson(RB)

The 3rd Quarter was much of the same. The defense did their job holding Hassleholm out of the end zone. A lot of the 2nd team defense played most of the 2nd half. I was very proud of them to pitch a shut out for the whole half. The offense came out fast and furious scoring on its first 2 possessions of the half. A 20 yd TD to WR Ben Hörnquist and a 3 yd TD pass to WR Pontus Nielsson. Bring the game to 49-6 at the end of the 3rd Quarter. Everyone got to play and get some experience which was great. 7 different Predators scored TDs and QB Phil Juhlin was named player of the game with 5 TDs and over 300yds passing. I look forward to a great week of practice. Film on Monday and full preactice T/Th with a short skill work out Wed.

#44 Marcus Schön(MLB)

I got to meet the Canadian QB from Hassleholm Luke Balch. He seams like a good dude and we are going to try and hook up wednesday for lunch. All in all i was very pleased with our performance and i know film on Monday will show that there is still alot to work on.

#2 Phil Juhlin(QB) Dropping back to pass.

#26 Johan Vighagen (DB)

#3 Macce "Butterfingers" Johnsson (WR)

Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dumb.
You can figure out which one is which.

#1 Sorin Pandrea(WR/RB)
Celebrates his TD with #78 Sebastian Schön(OL)
#76 Lukas Klang our center in deep thought.

Coach Martin LB and Special Teams assistant coach.

#2 QB Phil Juhlin

#11 Ben Hörnquist(WR) keeping his feet in bounds for his TD in the 3rd quarter.

#87 Semir Sitarevic(WR/TE) Celebrates the first TD of the season.

Predator Faithfuls. They packed Hassleholm's stadium. It felt like a home game.