WHEELING – Vichael Foxx, a defensive end who has also been thrust into an offensive role this season, caught his fifth touchdown pass of the year and the Rock River Raptors kept pace in the wild-card race with a 46-34 win at Wheeling.
Foxx played both ways for the fourth time this season, and not only did he get the first on a fourth-down reception, but he broke four tackles and scored from 23 yards out to set the tone.
Rock River (6-5) never trailed, and though Wheeling (2-8) cut into the lead in the third quarter, an interception by Walner Belleus followed by a lengthy, run-heavy Raptors' drive, put momentum back on Rock River's side.
"We really took over right away in this one. They did make a little run in the third, but we got it back going," Raptors head coach Dave Jones said. "We used a short-game offense, and we controlled the game."
The Raptors did not travel with center Craig Howard, defensive standout Darius Jones and the league's leading running back J.R. Taylor for various reasons. However, with Foxx on the line on both sides, and running backs Bryan Jennings and Brandon Wogomon providing a thunder-and-lightning-type of attack, the Raptors did not miss a beat. They won their second in a row and their sixth in their last seven games.
"We're feeling better about where we are right now. We're heading into a bye week in a good place," Jones added. "We'd like to already be in the playoffs, but we're playing well, and doing what we have to do."
The Raptors are trailing only Wisconsin (6-4), winners over Miami Valley on Saturday night, in the chase for the wild-card spot in the Continental Indoor Football League's Western Division.
The Wolfpack will take on the Chicago Slaughter, whom they've lost to twice already this season, next weekend while the Raptors rest. If the undefeated Slaughter continue to dominate, Rock River and Wisconsin will both head into the final week of the regular season with a 6-5 record.
"We're not even going to talk about that," Jones said. "We'll just wait and see. We're ready to give it one last push, though. We'll come off that bye ready to roll."
Jon Kowalyshen had four sacks Saturday while Jennings scored four times and Wogomon twice.
Raptors reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.
Story provided by Jay Taft and the Rockford Register Star
