Box Score
June 15, 2002 Helena Titans vs. Madison Lionz
2002 Semi-Final Playoff Game

POCATELLO 23 HELENA 17

MARSH VALLEY - Jeff Belnap slipped into the end zone from 2-yards out with 19 seconds remaining in regulation to break a 17-17 tie and lead the Pocatello Silverbacks back into the RMFL championship, defeating a gamey performance by the Helena Titans, 23-17. The game had been tied 3 different times throughout the game in a classic back and forth football game. In the first quarter, the teams exchanged short Bryan Hilborn and Jeff Belnap field goals. In the second quarter, Silverback, Troy Sutton capped a Pocatello drive with a 1-yard plunge and linebacker-converted fullback, Spencer Steiner of the Titans showed some speed busting a 62-yard run to paydirt to close the half at 10-10.

After a scoreless third, the Silverbacks jumped back on top on a touchdown pass from Belnap to Reggie Jackson, however, although the Titan began to sputter, the defense came up with a big play. Mickey Nagy picked off a Jeff Belnap pass, the only interception of either team in the game, and raced 24-yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 17 midway through the 4th quarter. It was all for not, however as Belnap capped the final Pocatello drive with the late touchdown.

Besides Belnap, the Silverbacks got another big effort from back-up tailback, Troy Sutton (7 carries, 85 yards), who combined with the late-arriving, Reggie Jackson (9 carries, 51 yards) to lead the Silverbacks rushing effort. Trent Sutton (5 tackles) and Tyler Wheatley (2 sacks) lead another strong Silverback defensive showing. The Titans got another strong rushing performance from quarterback Shane Jurasek (7 carries, 59 yards) and all-star tight end, Mike McNellis (5 receptions, 92 yards). The Titan defense was lead by none other than "wheels" Steiner (14 tackles, 1/2 sack) and Keith Simendinger (7-1/2 tackles) as they kept a potent Pocatello offense out of the end zone for much of the game.

Although in a loss, the game was a good vindication for the Titans, who were blown out 46-28 by the Silverbacks in Helena on May 11th, and that game was actually 46-7 at one point in the 4th quarter. The Silverbacks (8-1) now must get ready to host the RMFL Championship game against arch-rival, Idaho Falls (7-2). The Silverbacks won the first meeting of the season with the Mustangs 29-19 earlier in the season in Pocatello.

Helena

Pocatello

Scoring Summary:

First Quarter:

Helena: Hilborn 26-yard field goal 8:54
Pocatello: Belnap 25-yard field goal 4:09

Second Quarter:

Pocatello: Troy Sutton 1-yard run (Belnap kick) 10:45
Helena: Steiner 62-yard run (Hilborn kick) 1:51

Fourth Quarter:

Pocatello: R.Jackson 10-yard pass from Belnap (Belnap kick) 9:26
Helena: Nagy 24-yard interception return (Hilborn kick) 6:47
Pocatello: Belnap 2-yard run (kick failed) 0:19

	Helena	Pocatello
First Downs	8	21
Rushes, Yards	17-132	31-186
Passes	7-27-0	14-26-1
Passing Yards	134	173
Sacked-Yds Lost	4-27	1-8
Total Net Yards	239	351
Punts, Average	5-40.2	3-50.0
Penalties, Yards	8-80	7-85
Fumbles, Lost	1-0	1-0

Individual Statistics: Rushing: Helena - Steiner 2-63, Jurasek 7-59, Nagy 2-9, Huggins 6-1. Pocatello - Troy Sutton 7-85, R.Jackson 9-51, Wheatley 12-41, Belnap 3-(-9). Passing: Helena - Jurasek 7-27-0-134-0. Pocatello - Belnap 14-26-1-173-1.
Receiving: Helena - McNellis 5-92, Huggins 1-23, L.Anderson 1-19. Pocatello - Gunter 5-73, Fillingame 2-44, Palmer 4-43, R.Jackson 1-10, Foreman 1-2, E.Christensen 1-1.

Tackles: Helena - Steiner 14 (1/2 sack), Simendinger 7.5, L.Anderson 3, Kendall 3, Lindsey 3, Russell 2.5, Nagy 2.5, Flores 2.5, Sanford 2.5, J.Lamb 2, Hilborn 1.5, Kaneshiro 1.5, Gastineau 1 (1/2 sack), Coletti 1, L.Lamb 1/2, Broadbrooks 1/2, Huggins 1/2. Pocatello - Trent Sutton 5, O'Hearn 4.5, Covington 4 (1 sack), Rivera 4, Bowen 4, Wheatley 3.5 (2 sacks), Ketzenberg 2 (1 sack), Crangle 2, Harris 1, Perry 1, Byington 1, Howerton 1, Foreman 1.

Interceptions: Helena - Nagy. Pocatello - None.

Missed Field Goals: Helena - Hilborn (31 yards). Pocatello - Belnap (45 yards).