After losing to the Cleveland Gladiators in the playoffs three years ago at the Gwinnett Arena, the Georgia Force made their return on Sunday with a 53-47 win over the Tulsa Talons in their season opener.
But it wasn't just about getting that important first win of the season. It was playing for a loyal fan base that were out in full force (no pun intended) to support the team that dawns black and blue.
"This is my first game here," defensive lineman Jerry Turner said who was named Defensive Player of the Game for nothing a sack and blocking a field goal early in the third quarter. "It's going to be a great place to play as long as we win."
The Force were able to get off to early lead, being up 27-19 at halftime. Thanks to a two key defensive stops in the third quarter and scoring on four consecutive drives the Force were up as much as 20 points in the fourth quarter.
The offensive explosion was led by quarterback Brett Elliott, who threw for three touchdowns and led four other touchdown drives. He was named Offensive Player of the Game for his efforts.
"I thought we played very well," Elliott said after the game. "There were a lot of penalties. We got to clean that up and execute better in the one-minute range. But other than that, I thought we played very well.
Elliott was right when it comes to the penalties. Numerous holding calls on the offensive line as well as personal foul calls could have limited the scoring for the Force. But they were able to hang in there and make the big plays when they needed it.
"One bad drive set us back a little bit," Force head coach Dean Cokinos said talking about the drive at the end of the first half where it was the only time they scored zero points. "I think we controlled the game."
Benji McDowell and C.J. Johnson also had big games for Georgia. McDowell had two rushing scores including the first touchdown of the game which came midway through the first quarter. Johnson had one of the plays of the game in the second quarter, returning a kick for a 56-yard touchdown to give the Force the lead going into the half.
So with the win the Force start their season with a 1-0 record, but they will be on the road the next two weeks as they face the Jacksonville Sharks and the New Orleans Voodoo. Like the Force, the Voodoo are making their return to New Orleans after stopping operations in 2008. But the Sharks, who the Force will play next week, are coming off a 12-4 2010 season and won the South Division.
The Force accomplished a lot on Sunday with a return the Atlanta area and earning that first win, can they pass another test with a road victory against a playoff-caliber team?
"I would like to think so," Elliott said. "You never know until you get there. But I feel good about this group of guys. At this level, you don't always get really good guys so it's nice to be around."
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