On June 30, the Foxes took on the Blaze from Chicago in their second and final tune up for the 2012 MSFL season. Once again this pre-season, the Foxes had plenty of chances to look at their new group of talent as the game was well in hand by halftime, at which point the foxes were ahead 27-0, eventually winning 35-6. QB Drew Fendrich led the attack with 222 yards passing, on only 10 of 16 completions for the night coupled with his 31 yards on 3 rushes. The Foxes worked the ball around early in the game, giving Fendrich time to get in rythym with some of the newly signed receivers. Marcus Bates and Rick Packingham combining for 4 catches, 135 yards and 3 touchdowns, led the receiving core and helped show just how explosive the Foxes offense can be this season. On the ground, the Foxes deployed the running back by committee theory and had six different backs with carries. In addition to Fendrich's 31, Darin Utley led the way with 59 yards on just 7 carries and a touchdown, while the team managed 157 yards on just 18 carries for the night.
On the defensive side, the Foxes were spreading the wealth, with 17 players recording tackles, but without a single one recording more than 4. The Defense was led by linebackers Jae Russell (3), Mike Rose (3), and Ayoub Elayyan (4) with 10 tackles combined. "That is the way our defense is set up to execute. There isn't one single superstar, you are going to see a lot of tackles spread over many players each and every week this year." says Coach Jason Kirkendoll.
The Foxes begin regular season and Division action on Saturday, July 14th, playing on the road against the Mid-State Steel out of Tremont. This game is a big rivalry for us, " adds Kirkendoll, " with only 2 teams in downstate Illinois, we are a different breed of football, more hitting, more physical, this is expected to be a dog fight similar to last year." Last years contest was a 9-6 win by the Foxes in Kincaid. This years game takes on a little extra meaning as the teams now have a traveling trophy to pass back and forth begining this year. We want to give it a permanent home in Kincaid!"
The team will return for their home opener on the 21st of July, Hosting the Roscoe Rush again this season. If you recall, that was a game in which the Foxes trailed 20-0 early in the second quarter last year, only to take a 3rd quarter lead of 27-20, but would eventually fall short to the now 2 time defending MSFL Champions 43-33.
Tickets are available at the Taylorville Chamber of Commerce for a discounted price:
website/gate TCC
Adult Season passes $16 $14
Student Passes $ 10 $8
Adult single tickets $5 $4
Children, military,
senior tickets $3 $2
