Win or no Tomorrow

The River Monsters (6-3, 3-2 CIFL South) travel to their division rival Dayton Sharks (6-3, 4-2 CIFL South) in a game that decides post-season fate for both teams. The victor of the game Saturday will go to the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) Playoffs from the South Division.

The winner will join the Marion Blue Racers who are the CIFL South Division Champions.

The Sharks, who have not played since April 19, thrashed the Lexington Warhorses 76-6. The Sharks have had two full weeks to prepare for the River Monsters. That victory put a W in the win/loss column after dropping two in a row to the Chicago Blitz, 48-32, and the Blue Racers, 46-36.

The defense for the Sharks ranks third in the CIFL allowing an average of 32 points a game while the offense is fourth, scoring 48 points a game.

Viterio Jones and Donte Johnson anchor the Shark defense who have six and five interceptions respectively.

The Sharks run a duel quarterback offense behind Tommy Jones and Evan Sawyer. In six games, Jones has thrown for more than 1,000 yards, 31 touchdowns and averages nearly 190 yards a game through the air. Marcus Fails leads the ground game, rushing for more than 100 yards and five touchdowns on the year.

The River Monsters, behind newcomer quarterback Antonio Davis, have won four in a row, all by an average of 30 points. In three games, Davis has thrown for 582 yards, 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Davis also added three touchdowns on the ground.

The defensive for the River Monsters in anchored by linebacker David James who leads the CIFL in tackles with 119 and has three interceptions on the year.

The game promises to be highly energetic as the playoffs are on the line. Kickoff is set for 7:30 on Saturday inside Hara Arena in Dayton.

River Monsters Dominate Chicago, Get One Step Closer to Playoffs

The River Monsters controlled the game from beginning to end and defeated the Chicago Blitz 73-50, in a game where they never trailed, to get one step closer to the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) Playoffs.

"Winning this game means we are one win from going to the playoffs. It means we are three wins from attaining what we wanted," River Monsters' head coach Mike Goodpaster said. "We needed a bunch of things to happen plus win out. All those things have happened and I think we are as good as anyone in this league."

The River Monsters set the tone early on defense, stopping the Blitz on a fourth and one in River Monster territory.

It only took Antonio Davis and the River Monster three plays to find the end zone on a five yard quarterback keeper from Davis. After the score Dustin Zink kicked the ball through the uprights on the kickoff, which is
called an Uno, and gave the River Monsters an extra point and put them up 8-0 early in the first quarter.

The Blitz came back down the field and converted a 10 play drive when quarterback Juice Williams scored on a three yard scramble to pull the Blitz within one, 8-7. The closest the game would get the rest of the night.

The River Monsters put on an offensive display behind Davis who finished with 192 yards passing with four touchdowns. He also rushed for 25 yards and three touchdowns. In three games, Davis has thrown for 13 touchdowns and two interceptions for the River Monsters.

"He has done an amazing job," Goodpaster said about Davis. "He is a great guy to have on the team, he's a great leader, you can't say more about him."

Zink, an unsung hero on the night, kicked a CIFL record five Uno's in one game. He was also a perfect nine for nine on extra points and one for one on field goals.

"In the five years I have done this, that was the best game I have seen a kicker have by far," Goodpaster said. "It was amazing. He did a great job."

The River Monsters had 247 yards of total offense and found the end zone eight times.

CIFL tackle leader, Davis James, recorded 12 tackles anchoring the River Monster defense.

"DJ is a player that can play at another level. He will get his chance in the next year or so," Goodpaster said about his linebacker.

The River Monsters finish up their regular season at division rival Dayton Sharks. The two teams met earlier in the season when the Sharks got the best of the River Monsters 65-45 inside The Bank of Kentucky Center.

The new look River Monsters look to get revenge of the loss and finish the regular season with a five game winning streak heading into the CIFL Playoffs.

River Monsters Dominate Chicago Blitz; Win 73-50

Chicago Blitz convert on their opening drive of the fourth quarter. Juice Williams threw a five yard swing pass for a touchdown.  The Blitz then converted the two point conversion when Williams found David Brown in the back of the end zone.

Once again the Blitz tried an onside kick, but was unsuccessful. The River Monsters retained possession at the Blitz 12 yard line.

River Monsters only put three points on the board with the good field when Dustin Zink connected on a 24 yard field goal. For the fifth time on the night, Zink split the uprights on the kick off, giving the River Monsters an extra point. River Monsters, in complete control, led 66-34 with 9:41 to play.

The Blitz found the end zone once again in the fourth quarter when Bryant Pascasio ran in from four yards out. Pascasio then converted on the two point conversion. River Monsters still ahead 66-42 with 4:39 to play.

River Monsters unable to convert a fourth and five gave the ball back to the Blitz on the 21 yard line.

The Blitz came right back down the field and found the end zone. Williams found David Brown on the left side who fumbled in the end zone but was recovered. Williams shoveled the ball to Pascasio who ran in for the two point conversion. River Monsters led 66-50 with 30 seconds remaining.

River Monsters, just trying to run out the clock, found the end zone one more time. Maurice Douce ran in, untouched, from 13 yards out.

The River Monsters, who dominated every aspect of the game, won 73-50, and put them one step closer to the playoffs.

River Monsters Led 62-26 After Three Quarters

The River Monsters converted on their opening drive of the half on a 13 yard acrobatic catch by Ricardo Lenhart. The ball was thrown behind Lenhart who reached back and tipped it forward to himself before cradling the ball in the end zone. Dustin Zink kicked the ball through the uprights on the kick off for the  fourth time in the game, put the River Monsters up 48-13.

Blitz come out in the second half with hurry up offense. Juice Williams led Chicago down to the five yard line of the River Monsters. Another high snap, over the head of Williams, backed the Blitz up to the 19 yard line. Williams, with time to throw, lobbed the ball into triple coverage in the back of the end zone. Kent McDonald leaped over the River Monster defenders and came down with the ball with only one hand. River Monsters lead 48-20 with 6:45 to go.

River Monsters did not waste much time before getting on the scoreboard once again. Davis threw a 30 yard touchdown strike to Lenhard. River Monsters lead 55-26 with 4:04 left in the third.

Chicago came back in a fury. Williams completed a 30 yard pass to David Brown. River Monster, still in control, led 55-26 with 4:04 left to play in the third.

Blitz, in time of desperation, tried an onside kick, but the River Monsters came down with the ball. The unsuccessful attempt gave the River Monsters great field possession, starting their drive on the 15 yard line of the Blitz.

Davis capitalized the good field possession on a 7 yard scramble on fourth down. River Monsters led 61-26 going into the last quarter.

River Monsters Dominate First Half and Lead Chicago 40-14

On the second play from scrimmage, Antonio Davis completed a seven yard  pass to Shawn McGarity putting the River Monsters up 15-7. Dustin Zink splits the uprights for the second time on the kickoff putting the River Monsters up 16-7.

The Blitz had a wild snap on the first play after the River Monster touchdown. A gang of River Monsters tackle Blitz quarterback, Juice Williams, in the end zone for a safety. River Monsters lead 18-7 with 13:28 to go in the second.

Dekota Marshall received the kick off and got viciously dragged down by his face mask. Tempers flared early in a must win game for both teams.

On the first play from scrimmage, Davis completed a 24 yard pass to Maurice Douce, driving the River Monsters down to the Blitz one yard line. Davis finished off the drive with a one yard scramble. River Monsters, taking control of the game, led 25-7 with 11:02 to go in the second.

After the River Monster score, the Blitz put together a long dive and get down to the River Monster three yard line. Blitz center snapped the ball over Williams head, Rico Middlebrooks picked up the bouncing ball and ran it back for a River Monsters touchdown. River Monsters led 32-7 with 6:22 to go before half.

The Blitz, unable to keep anything going offensively, had another miscue. Running back Bryant Pascasio fumbled inside the red zone. Brian Abshire fell on top of the loss ball at the Blitz 13 yard line.

Davis forced a pass down the sideline that got tipped by three Blitz defenders before falling into the arms of Malik Jackson for the interception in the River Monster end zone. Jackson returned the interception out to the five yard line with 2:58 left before half time.

The Blitz get some offense going when Bryant Pascasio ran the ball in for a touchdown from nine yards out. River Monters led 32-14, 55 seconds left in the half.

River Monsters capitalize with their hurry-up offense when Davis threw a jump ball to Douce. Douce out jumped three Blitz defenders for the 13 yard touchdown. Zink kicked the ball through the up rights for the third time in the game putting the River Monsters up 40-14 with 30 seconds to go in the half.

Jackson returned the kick off to the 24 yard line. The Blitz put together a nice drive before Chicago ran out of time and the drive stalled at the 10 yard line of the River Monsters.

The River Monsters, who took complete control of the game, led 40-14 going into the locker room.

River Monsters Lead Blitz 8-7 After One Quarter of Play

The Chicago Blitz received the ball to start the game, but were unable to do anything with it. The River Monsters stopped the Blitz on a fourth and one on their first drive.

The River Monster took advantage of the situation on their second play from scrimmage. Antonio Davis completed a 25 yard pass to Ricardo Lanhart down to the Blitz five yard line. Davis finished the drive off on the next play with a quarterback keeper. Davis put the River Monsters up 7-0 with 10:38 to go in the first quarter.

Dustin Zink gave the River Monsters another point when he kicked ball through the uprights on the kick off.

River Monsters picked off Blitz quarterback, Juice Williams, and returned it for a touchdown but was called back due to a roughing the passer penality. Coach, Mike Goodpaster, not happy about the call, argued with the referee and picked up a foul moving the Blitz halfway to the end zone. 

The Blitz capitalized on the second chance opportunity. Williams scored on the next play with a 4 yard scramble with 1:53 left in the first quarter.

The River Monsters ended one quarter of play deep in Blitz territory leading 8-7.

River Monsters Look to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive Against Chicago

The Northern Kentucky River Monsters (5-3, 3-2 CIFL South) host Chicago Blitz (6-2, 3-2 CIFL North) on Saturday as they look to widen the gap for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) Playoffs.

This game is a must win for both squads. The River Monsters must win to keep their spot in the CIFL Playoffs for the South Division. The Blitz are tied for second in the North Division, but currently do not hold the tie breaker to advance to the playoffs. The Blitz must win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and also need the Erie Explosion to lose next week.

The Blitz are on a five game winning streak and have won their last four games by an average of 29 points (not counting the forfeit to the Kentucky Extreme).

Chicago has the third best offensive in the league averaging nearly 46 points a game. They are led by
quarterback Juice Williams, who has thrown for more than 600 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding more than 100 yards on the ground in only five games. The rushing attack for the Blitz is led by Bryant Picassio who is nine yards short of 300 on the season.

The Blitz also have the second best defense in the league, allowing a stingy 27 points per game.

The River Monsters have the wheels churning in the right direction, winning their last two games by an
average of 34.

Newcomer quarterback, Antionio Davis, leads the passing attack with nine touchdowns in two games for the River Monsters. Kyle James also looks to add to his success on the ground.

David James anchors the River Monsters defense with a CIFL best 92 tackles.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 on Saturday inside The Bank of Kentucky Center for the last regular season home game. The River Monsters celebrate Faith and Community night. Bring in a church or place of worship bulletin and receive $2 off the ticket price. Any group of 10 or more receive $3 off the ticket price.

Watch the game live on the MRSN Sports Network or follow the River Monsters' Facebook and Twitter pages for live updates.