Dedication Proves A Winner!

2 years ago a team from Alamogordo set out to be the best. They finished the 2008 season at 8-2 and lost their league championship game. In 2009 they dedicated themselves to becomming NMFA league champions. They did, despite a hard 2-2 start. This year they dedicated the entire season to their head coach Kim Mitchell. Kim Mitchell suffered a stroke Oct. 18, 2009, and was released from the hospital the first week of December. At the start of the game you could see it in his eyes, he was proud of his boys. Win or loose he loves his Dawgs. And after their first game of the season, at home at Tiger Stadium, he still loves his Dawgs, despite their 44-6 loss to the Roughnecks.

The Alamogordo Desert Dawgs showed class, they kept up the fight all they way. Yes there was your classic "Trash Talkin" on the field and on the sidelines. A few slipped words out in the open, but they were great hosts. Friendly fans and nice facilities.

Now to the game: (Full stats and coverage will be posted on Tuesday March 9, 2010. So if I left anyone out, please don't be offended. Your coverage will be updated on Tuesday)

The Roughnecks took control from the start. Long cold nights of practice at the "Hutch" along with constent hard coaching and team unity paid off.

Starting quarterback, broken finger and flu ridden, Jermey Soto threw the first 2 touchdowns and did some impressive moving around with a strong offensive line that gave plenty of protection. Although he trew a few pics he looked strong with 4 TD's all together.

Geron Walker threw for a touchdown.

RB Cody Foutz pounded the Desert Dawg defense and tore through the line. He ran back the final Dawg kickoff for a TD's but was called back on an penalty.

RB Shane Royce cut through huge walls to run for 80 yards on 14 carries and caught 3 passes for 35 yards and one touchdown.

#8 CB Fred Christensen had 2 interceptions and had his hands a beautiful third, but couldn't hold on to it. Looks like those Cutter gloves did the trick.

Obidiah Rector intercepted a pass and ran it back for a Roughnecks touchdown.

The kicking and punting game is a tremendous improvement from last year. Nathan Hamson is a great asset to punting. I don't think there is a more strong and efficiant punter/kickoff specialist in the league right now.

Tim Sue Sue and the "Manster" Bruce Frantz III gave the Dawg offense fits all day.

All in all it was a good day for football. Semi Pro, yes, but more heart than any pro player, by far from both teams.

As Desert Dawgs acting coach Kenny Mitchall relayed to his team after the game. "I told you guys that these guys (Roughnecks) were the real deal!"

They are folks. They are. The 4 Corners should be proud to have a team that puts in this much effort to represent their home. They practice hard and play harder.

I know it's only one game into the season, but the Alamogordo Desert Dawgs won the NMFA championship last year. In their second year of team exsistance. The Desert Dawgs are not a fly by night get lucky fluke team. They are the real deal as well. But on a warm Saturday night in Alamogordo, the NMFA 2009 campions were beatin by a bunch of men who determined to go undefeated this year and take home something that could have been and should have been theirs for the past two years. A Championship.

For other teams in the league; bring your game. If you don't and if you think you don't have too, you will be another oil derrick on the map that will show a strike for the Roughnecks.