[RavennaAl]

There was an air of uncertainty surrounding the game, as neither team had played an actual game before. Fans weren’t sure what to expect, but as it turned out, they needed not worry as the game proved to be exciting right to the end.

The Mennonites received the opening kick at their 23 yd line. Two running plays netted no gain, and on third down Charles Mann welcomed Billy Bob Weisser by sacking him for a 6 yard loss. The Zombies then unleashed a ferocious rush to block the punt and set themselves up with a first and goal at the Mennonites 9. On third down, Curtis “My Favorite” Martin was stopped just inches from the goal line. Displaying an air of confidence, the Zombies went for it on fourth down, but this time Martin was pinned for a 4 yard loss by Sam Smucker. Taking over on downs, ‘Bible Thumper’ Weisser guided his team out to midfield, where Speedy Ezekiel took a short screen pass 50 yards for the first TD in Amish history and a 7 point lead. Using their unique combination of dual QB’s, the Zombies took the ball out near midfield.

As the second quarter started, on 3rd and 14, Bart Starr, finding nobody open, scrambled for 25 yards to give the Zombies new life. On the next play, Martin found a large hole on the right side of the Mennonites defense and ran 37 yards for the Zombies first score and a 7 - 7 tie. The next drive for the Amish guys stalled and the Zombies took over at their 36. Once again Starr led his team down the field and on 3rd and goal from the 7, Martin found an opening and scored, putting the Zombies up 14 - 7 at the half.

New Zealand got the ball to open the second half. It was a penalty filled drive that was helped by a roughing the kicker call against the Mennonites, but the Amish stood tough and forced the Zombies to punt. Taking over at their 21, ‘Bible Thumper’ completed 3 passes in a row. The Zombies put on a strong goal line stand and Mathew ’Mule’ Martin kicked a 28 yard field goal to cut the lead 14 - 10.

As the fourth quarter started, Dan Fouts showed why he is also in the pro football HOF and connected with Jerome Bettis on a 63 yard pass that gave the Zombies a first and goal at the 1. It only took Bettis 1 play to score and put the team from down under back up 21 - 10. Speedy proved to be just that, as he ran 43 yards to tighten the lead 21 - 17. The Zombies tried to run out the clock, but a tough Amish defense stood it’s ground and ‘Bible Thumper’ had one last chance to get his team in scoring position. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time as the drive ended at their 40, giving the Zombies the first win in New Zealand’s history.

Billy Bob finished the game 8 - 15 - 0 with 1 TD and Ezekiel had 104 yards rushing on 9 carries with 1 TD to lead the Mennonites. For the Zombies, Fouts and Starr combined for 5 - 6 - 0 and 115 yards. Bettis had 57 yards on 12 carries with 1TD while Martin finished the day with 41 yards on 9 carries and a TD.


Speedy Ezekiel, Proverbs 22:1, scores the first Mennonite TD on this perfectly executed screen pass