The New and Improved Hitmen?

Bby Mike Mitchell - Hitmen Team Reporter

New York - (12 March 2001) -- After 5 games, the NY/NJ Hitmen were The XFL's most unattractive team. The Hitmen had scored no more then 13 points in their first 5 contests. Their games were slow, sloppy and dull.

On sunday, the Hitmen unveiled a new look and feel to their team. The shocker of week 6 in The XFL by far was The Hitmen's stunning 20-12 upset of the Demons in San Fransisco in front of 33,522 fans. The win for NY/NJ served as a possible springboard for the future. Was it just the Hitmen's day in the sun or are we looking at a brand new Hitmen team?

From the games opening play, NY pulled out all the stops to win. The game started with a trick special teams play that led to a 40 yard return by Keith Elias. The play was called back but The Hitmen had only started unveiling their bag of tricks. The 3 yards and a cloud of dust offense of New York was transformed into a risk taking attack that stretched the defense of The Demons all day long.

The Hitmen fell behind early against the Demons when Jimmy The Jet Cunningham returned a Leo Araguz punt 63 yards. It didn't take long for New York to answer The demons score. Trailing 6 nothing from their own 16 yard line. The Hitmen produced a playcall from GM Drew Pearson's very own playbook. Wally Richardson dropped back to pass, threw a lateral to wide reciever, Zola Davis who stepped back and threw a strike to a wide open Kirby Dar Dar. The play went for 74 yards and a score to tie the game. Joe Aska coverted the extra point to give the Hitmen the early lead.

On the Demons 1st offensive possesion, Safety Tyree Talton produced a bone crushing hit that jarred the ball loose from Running Back Terry Battle. The Hitmen took over on The 35 with a spread out 4 WR attack. Wally Richardson was sharp throughout the game and executed the gameplan to perfection. Led by Wally's passing and running and a double reverse with Kirby, NY was at The San Fran 21 looking to extend their lead with an Araguz field goal. The Hitmen then pulled out some more trickery as they faked the field goal, Charles Puleri took the snap and threw a perfect strike near the end zone but the pass was dropped by Michael Blair.

The Hitmen defense continued to harrass Pat Barnes and The Demon offense throughout the day. The return of Middle Linebacker, Ron Merkerson was key in The defenses performance on sunday.

New York's next scoring drive went 54 yards on 8 plays and ate up 9 minutes of the clock. Joe Aska broke a 15 yard run on the drive and Richardson connected with Ryan Collins for 23 yards down to The Demons 1. The Penn State connection of Wally Richardson and Mike Archie connected on a 1 yard td pass that extended The Hitmen's lead to 13 to 6. The returning Dino Philyaw converted the extra point and the score was now 14-6. That second quarter score gave NY their highest point total of the season.

Before The first half was over, the Hitmen defense recovered another Demons fumble and took over at San Fran 31. The Hitmen drove down to the 8 but then got too cute for their own good when they attempted a halfback pass by Dino Philyaw, who threw an errant pass into the endzone that was intercepted by Jon Haskins. Punts were traded by both teams to end the first half.

Defense ruled the 3rd quarter as both teams were unable to generate any offense. The Hitmen did manage a late 3rd quarter drive into Demons territory but The drive came up pointless as Leo Araguz shanked a 39 yard field goal attempt. The Hitmen failed to extend the lead and at times, it appeared as if the team's aggressive gameplan had gone conservative.

The Demons took over and Pat Barnes led S.F.'s first offensive scoring drive of the game. The Demons went 71 yards in 6 minutes. They were aided by a pass interference penalty against Donnie Caldwell. Pat Barnes connected with Travis Moore for the td score. The score was now, NY 14 San Fran 12. The Demons failed to convert the extra point but it appeared that momentum was on their side and that the Hitmen would suffer yet another 4th quarter collapse.

New York/New Jersey was forced to punt on their next possesion but their defense answered the call and pressured and sacked Pat Barnes, forcing the Demons to punt.

This led to a bizarre punting play by Mike Panasuk of SF who shanked a punt that was partially deflected by Zola Davis. The dribble punt gave NY great field position at the Demon 44 yard line. Penalties would aid The Hitmen on this crucial drive on a 3rd and 5, The Hitmen were granted an automatic first down thanks to an offsides penalty that bailed them out. The Hitmen were now at the Demon 34. On the following play, Richardson tried to connect deep with Kirby Dar Dar, Dwayne Harper was flagged for interference. The call was crucial as the Hitmen got 32 yards on the penalty that brought down to the demon 2. The very next play, Joe Aska scored from 2 yards out with a diving touchdown. The Hitmen failed to convert the 1 point try but the lead was now 20 to 12 in favor of NY/NJ.

The Demons drove deep into Hitmen territory late in The 4th quarter only to have Pat Barnes intercepted by Brad Trout to seal the victory.

Overall, Wally Richardson led the day with 13 of 24 passing and 137 yards and a TD. Kirby Dar Dar finished with 5 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. The Hitmen defense was stellar as they held the demon ground attack to just 52 yards, They also forced 3 turnovers and sacked Pat Barnes 3 times, 2 of them by Dwayne Sabb.

The Hitmen are now 2 and 4 and are tied with Thunderbolts for 2nd place and The 2nd playoff spot in The east.

Next on tap for the Hitmen, A crucial home game as they face the Memphis Maniax on Saturday Night.