Outlaws mix, match

A steady defense and a strong performance by a newcomer helped the Mid-Missouri Outlaws earn a home victory Sunday.

The Outlaws improved to 7-1 in the Central Plains Football League after a 31-0 rout of the Blue Springs Extreme at State Fair Community College.

The Outlaws defense lived up to its hard-nosed reputation, setting the tone early.

Linebacker Travis Jobe and lineman Dennis Gerken led the defensive front as the Outlaws forced a punt,  blocked a field goal, and earned two turnovers on fourth downs in Blue Springs’ first four possessions.

Jobe, the team’s co-coach, credits the success of the defense to maintaining a consistent, healthy group of starters.

“Our problem on offense and the whole team is that we have different guys showing up every week,” Jobe said. “... We will get it figured out.

“Defensively, we have the same group. We know who is playing around us.”

The Outlaws earned their 31 points despite fumbling three times. 

Mid-Missouri crossed the goal line on its third possession.

Quarterback Kyle Middleton capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Josh Holt in the corner of the end zone. The point-after kick was no good, bringing the score to 6-0.

Wide receiver Marcus James took full advantage of his first game as an Outlaw.
 
James started the next  drive with a 4-yard run and ended it by taking a screen pass into the end zone.

James’ dive across the goal line doubled the Outlaws’ lead to 12.

James could be a key addition to the team before the playoffs begin later this month.

He brings an impressive résumé that includes time as a wide receiver and kick returner at the University of Missouri in 2004. He has played in the Canadian Football League and for an  arena league team in Chicago.

“I have been wanting to strap (the pads on) for a while (since) I got done with the arena team in 2005. ... You come out here and it’s almost like riding a bike,” James said.

Gerken ended the first half on a high note, sacking Extreme quarterback Derrick York for a 10-yard loss.

After a blocked punt, Mike Loveless took the Outlaws on his shoulders and delivered them to the end zone.

Loveless capped the drive by bouncing around the left side of his offensive line for a touchdown. An unsuccessful two-point conversion kept the score at 18-0.

Loveless delivered again  in the third quarter, as he dragged Extreme defenders for a 9-yard gain into Blue Springs territory.

A pass interference penalty set up Tony Arbisi’s 5-yard touchdown rumble.

James showcased his skill again in the fourth quarter.

James juked several Extreme defenders before being brought down at the 1-yard line.

Middleton finished where James left off. He followed his center across the goal line for a touchdown. The successful point-after kick brought the final score to 31-0.

Blue Springs attempted to take to the air for last-minute points in the fourth quarter, but pass deflections by Mike Sleeper and Jerry Young snuffed out any scoring opportunities.

The Outlaws will face the Springfield Lightning at 3 p.m. Saturday at State Fair Community College.