BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS

Orlando, Florida

May 9, 2009

     The Orlando Rage completed their 2009 "Defending the Ring" quest Saturday night in Florida's Citrus Bowl in the SSFL Championship "Rice Bowl IX". In 2008 the Rage defeated the Sarasota Millionaires in Rice Bowl VIII by the score of 55 to 26.

     "When we started training camp in September our goal was back-to-back championships" commented Rage second year head coach Leonard Opheim. "We had almost all of our 2008 starters returning in 09 and a few additions" he went on "so we knew that we had a good squad going into 09. But we did have a big target on our backs as the defending champs."

     Things looked good for the '09 Rage early in preseason when they defeated the reigning FSFL Champion Hurricanes and the Georgia Xtreme. But the SSFL season is a long one and anything could happen. The Rage played one more non-league game defeating the DeSoto Cowboys of the NIFL and going 9 and 1 in SSFL play. Ironically, the Rage's sole 2009 loss came at the hands of the Millionaires in overtime in the last regular-season game.

     With the Rice Bowl victory the Rage are 14 and 1 overall in 2009.

     The Rage got off to a quick start taking the opening kick off and driving 80 yards for the touchdown on a short RB Jermaine Boston (2009 All Star) run. Rage 7, Millionaires 0. Later in the first quarter the Rage defense came up big when Rage LB Greg Lewin (2009 All Star) intercepted a Mike Peterson pass and dashed 45 yards for the score. Rage 14, Millionaires 0.

     The Rage continued to roll with scores from QB PeeJay Jack (2009 All Star) on a short quarterback keeper and a touchdown pass from Jack to WR Preston McGann (2009 All Star) making it 28 to 0 at the half.

     The second half proved to be more of the same for the Rage with another touchdown pass from Jack, this time to Rage WR Andre Raines, a 27 yard field goal by K Michael Kidd (2009 All Star) and a Rice Bowl record setting interception return for touchdown by DB Roger Sippio. The sole bright spot came when Millionaires QB and "Mr. Everything" Mike Peterson returned a Rage kick Off for the touchdown.

     Final Score Rage 45, Millionaires 7.

     The Rage will take a little time off before participating an a few Exhibition and Fund-Raising games during the off-season.