The Fargo Invaders and Granite City Renegades had a battle of the ages, with the outcome being determined in the final minutes.


The 2013 West Division Champion Renegades came prepared for war.  The first quarter had a swing of events, just 4 plays into the game Jermaine Holmes was intercepted by the Invaders Brandon Sloan.  Not to be out-done, the Renegades Kelvin Robinson returned the favor after 10 plays; intercepting Tony Stauss.  From 83 yards away, Robinson had the goalline in-sight before being chased down by Kawar Farok at the 9 yardline.  With their backs against the wall, the Invaders defense held the Renegades to 2 yards and a missed Field Goal attempt.  The Renegades flexed their muscles, forcing the Invaders to punt after just 3 offensive plays.  Trouble fielding the punt gave the ball right back to the Invaders as Ronnie Buck recovered the fumble.  This concluded the First Quarter.

Again the Renegades defense stood tall, forcing a punt after 4 plays.  Not to be out-done, the Invaders Defense held strong for a 3-and-out.  Offense finally came through for the Invaders, putting together a 12 play 56 yard drive capped off by a Tony Stauss 1-yard sneak.  Granite City played the mirror game again going 9 plays and 66 yards to score, via Derek Alexander's 5 yard run, just seconds before the end of the Second Quarter.  7-7 at the half.

Defense shined again in the 3rd Quarter with the Invaders starting the second half with a 3-and-out. Another Renegades punt and Invaders punt led to Jermaine Holmes being intercepted by Steven Othelot at the Invaders 2 yardline.  On the first Invader play from DEEP in their own territory, a Brandon Jones fumble recovered by Mendell Midy gave Granite City 1st & Goal on the 4.  The Invaders held for two plays before Holmes was able to buy time and find Jonas Marshall in the back-right corner of the endzone for the Renegade Touchdown.  A high snap left the score at 13-7.

The Invaders next possession found Stauss on the wrong end of completition, this time to Renegades Travis Sand.  The NEXT play Invaders' Marcus Pratt answered with his own interception, via Jonas Marshall.  A march of 6 plays and 38 yards gave Brian Harper a touchdown reception from Stauss, and the Invaders a 14-13 lead.  The Invaders D stiffened, with an ensuing punt being booted into the endzone for a touchback.  After an offsides penalty by Granite City, Brandon Jones took the first play of the drive 75 yards for another Invader score; giving Fargo a 21-13 lead with just over 5 minutes left in the game.  Things continued to boad well for the Invaders when Kishion Ingram intercepted Holmes on the second play of the next drive.  Using a 'never quit' attitude, the Renegades defense forced the Invaders to punt at the 2 minute mark.  With 90 yards to go, it took the Renegades just 4 plays to score; the key play of a 33 yard Holmes run sparked Granite City's Derek Alexander to take a reception 56 yards for a Touchdown and 2-point game.  On the game-tying attempt, the Invaders Front Four stuffed an Alexander run to retain the lead.  Kevin Davis fell on an onside kick attempt to ice the game for the Invaders.

Full game stats including a play-by-play can be found at:
http://www.midwestpremierfootball.org/game/show/7312920?subseason=140957&referrer=1050150

Invaders' Brandon Jones led the game with 18 carries,136 yards, and a Touchdown. Renegades' Jermaine Holmes had 121 yards passing with 2 Touchdowns & 83 yards rushing. Gyangelo Bradden paced the Renegades with 10 total tackles, 3 for a loss.