SILVERBACKS OVERCOME EARLY RUST, ROLL KNIGHTS 38-10!!

POCATELLO - Jeff Belnap threw two touchdown passes to Brock Gunter and scored a third as the Pocatello Silverbacks overcame some early coordination problems and a furious and exciting conclusion to the game to handle the visiting Helena Knights 38-10 in post-season exhibition action. Belnap completed 16 of 25 passes for 254 yards in leading the Pocatello offense which also featured RMFL rushing champion, Tyler Wheatley rushing for 69 yards and Clint Whitworth rushing for 62-yards as the team rushed for a total of 182 yards on the day.

Pocatello started slow but picked up a big 38-yard touchdown reception from Belnap to Gunter late in the first quarter. Gunter caught another 38-yard toss from Belnap in the second quarter and a short Belnap field goal (his first of 2001) put the Silverbacks up 17-0 at halftime. On the S-backs first drive of the second half, they got it rolling, and capped the drive with a Belnap dive and coversion to take a 24-0 lead. Helena's outstanding place-kicker, Bryan Hilborn, got the Knights on the board later in the 3rd with a record 53-yard field goal to make the score 24-3. The score remained that until 2:07 remaining in the game and a Pocatello drive ended in a Belnap to B.J. Fillingame pass near the goal line. Fillingame was hit, coughed up the ball, but Brock Gunter was there to pick up the loose ball and waltz into the end zone for his third touchdown on the day. With the score 31-3, the Knights got a good kickoff return and a first down before a ball thrown near the end zone was picked off by Silverback, Jared Anderson and returned 96-yards for a touchdown. With only moments remaining in the game, the Pocatello kickoff was taken by Helena's Hollis Huggins who zig-zagged his way through the Pocatello coverage team for an 80-yard kickoff return and the final 38-10 margin.

Although the game was not close in the end, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended and played. Pocatello's local newspaper provided excellent coverage of the game and even printed a front page article complete with pictures and statistics to support the local RMFL champions. Congratulations Pocatello on being not only a successful, but gracious host.... but also for a great season!! The Silverbacks now must prepare for the much hyped and talked about match up with the perennial RMFL powerhouse from 1997 thru 2000, the team from north I-15, the Idaho Falls Mustangs currently set for August 18th at 6:00 p.m.

FOOTNOTE (1): The Silverbacks were without all-star linemen, Shaun O'Hearn and Kelly Averett for the game. They were, however, replaced by Mini-Cassia linemen, Glenn Slaughter and Darrin Robinson who filled in admirably in their stead. Rocky Mountain Football League founder, linebacker Matt Culbertson who also started the first Pocatello franchise in 1997, the Rocky Mountain Bulls also appeared in the game for the Silverbacks, playing some linebacker and special teams. Culbertson played with several of the Silverbacks on the old Bulls team, including Tyler Dahlke, Clint Whitworth, Stacey Harris and the missing Shaun O'Hearn.

FOOTNOTE (2): The Idaho Falls Mustangs recently learned that they would probably not have their head coach, Jack Klein available for the August 18th game and were evaluating their ability to be ready for a game on August 18th in which the teams full abilities could be represented appropriately. A decision to proceed or not is due later today (8/14). The Idaho Falls Mustangs determined that almost all of their key players would be able to play vs. the Silverbacks and although, the absence of Coach Klein will make it a more difficult task, they would proceed with the game and play the game for the pure fun of the sport. The game is on for Saturday. Time and location will be finalized by later today (8/15).