Heartbreaking Overtime Loss: Los Angeles Lycans Fall to Charleston Predators

In any type of sport, momentum plays a huge role. All the built-up momentum came to a screeching halt in the 4th quarter for the Los Angeles Lycans. With a 17-6 league going into the 4th quarter, the Predators of Charleston proceeded to put up 14 points to take a 3-point league. With 59 seconds left in the 4th quarter (and driving from their own 20-yard line), Lycans Kicker John Smith hit a 42-yard field goal to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Lycans kicker John Smith nails two field goals, one from 40 yards and another from 43 yards, against the Charleston Predators.

With Predators methodically marched the ball down the field during their opening drive in OT and never looked back. Charleston Kicker Kameron Duty kicked a 36-yard field goal to give the Predators their first victory of the season and send the Lycans back to Los Angeles 0-1.

Pros

• The Lycans offense was moving the ball down the field frequently. QB Sully Richardson was untouched all game; a huge improvement from Week 1 of last season when he was sacked twice against the Toros of Fort Worth. "I'm very proud of the guys up front," QB Sully Richardson said after the game. "We made it a priority to get better this off-season and it's showing."

• Both Halfbacks scored rushing TDs. Though the yards between them were minimal, the roles both backs played were vital last Saturday.

• Sully Richardson passed for 224 yards. Chris Lee (5-for-78), Bubba Tree (4-for-55), and Elzie Pryor (2-for-51) were huge in their efforts. Grabowski, Flash, and Curtis chipped in with catches as well.

• The defense was intense for 3 and a half quarters. DE Selwyn Lane got his first sack of the season, FS Monte Wyatt grabbed an interception in the endzone, and the entire defense was flying all over the field. OLB Greg Ward caused a fumble and newly-acquired CB Anthony Wyo recovered the ball.

• Kicker John Smith was on point, completing kicks from 40 and 43 yards out.

Bubba Tree makes an incredible airborne catch amidst defenders, showcasing his prowess against the Charleston Predators.

Cons

• HB Daricus Iniguez fumbled the ball on two different drives: One of the most vital being on Charleston's 8-yard line going toward the endzone. "I've gotta do a better job of holding onto the ball. That really hurt us," Iniguez said after this week's practice. His second fumble could've been costly, however FB Dan Curtis recovered the ball.

• Speaking of turnovers, Sully Richardson tossed a costly interception on the second play of the Lycans drive.

• Lots of dropped passes occurred from wide receivers to tight ends to the backs. "We have to take advantage of these passes," said WR Chris Lee. "If the ball touches our hands? We have to catch it!"

• Remember the word momentum? The Lycans defense lost all of it in the 4th quarter. "It's unacceptable what happened," said Monte Wyatt about the defense's collapse. "We'll be in the lab correcting things to better ourselves."

What's next?

This Sunday (July 20th) will be an opportunity for Los Angeles to get their first win in front of their fans. The 1-0 Florida Storm will be entering Lycanthrope Field at Evo9x Stadium for some Week 2 action. Being down by 13 in the 2nd quarter against Bossier City, the Storm put up 21 points and beat the Steamers 28-26 last week. "We have to play mistake-free football against Florida," General Manager Brogan Speraw said to reporters. "We cannot slack this Sunday." Game starts at 9:15pm ET/6:15pm PT on VFN's YouTube channel.

Los Angeles Lycans battle history against the Florida Storm: A tough 1-6 record since their days as the Chicago Wildcats.