The Fort Bend Storm defeated the Texas Express in the 8th annual GCFA Superbowl by a score of 31-13...

For the 2nd year straight the Fort Bend Storm made it to the GCFA Superbowl. The first year they were beaten in overtime by the Texas Oilers by a field goal.  The Storm was looking to come away with the trophy this year and not let it slip away again.

The Texas Express was wanting the trophy just as bad as this is the 3rd time in the last 4 years to make it to the GCFA Superbowl. They have come up short every year and didn't want it to slip away yet again. The scene was set on June 25, 2011 at Thorne Stadium in Houston on a hot summer evening with football in the air. The Storm and Express took the field to see who would raise the Superbowl Trophy in victory.

The Express took the opening kickoff and drove down the field to strike first with a Rob Lanier pass to Alfonso Jackson for a 25 yard touchdown. The extra point was good and they took an early 7-0 lead. The Storm would answer back quickly by returning the kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown by Jay Jackson. Coach Jeremy, Assistant Head Coach and Special Teams Coordinator, said, "Jay Jackson is an unbelievable talent with great vision in his return game and I knew if he got an opening he would score." The extra point was good by Chris Maravelli and the score was tied 7-7. The next drive the Storm defense was flying to the ball and not allowing the Express to get their run game going and forced a punt. The punt return was caught by Michael Buckner and he raced down the sideline for a 45 yard return to give the Storm great field position. The Storm would get a 19 yard run by Storm fullback, Collin Evans, down to the 1 to set up 1st and goal. The next play Storm runningback, Albert Abu, ran off the left side of the line for a 1 yard touchdown run. The extra point was good by Chris Maravelli to give the Storm a 14-7 lead ending the first quarter.

The 2nd quarter was all defense and both the Storm and Express were hitting hard and not giving any ground. The Storm would come up with the next touchdown by a beautiful pass from Storm quarterback Lance Kriesien to Brandon Bass for a 78 yard touchdown. The extra point was good by Chris Maravelli to extend the lead to 21-7. The Express moved the ball into the redzone on the next drive. The Storm defense held strong and forced a fieldgoal attempt from the 20. Express kicker nailed a 37 yard field goal to chip at the Storm lead by pulling a little closer with a score of 21-10. The Storm came back on the next drive of their own to knock down a 32 yard field goal by Chris Maravelli to go into the locker room at the half with a 24-10 lead.
The GCFA used the halftime to acknowledge the athletes and coaches who won league awards with their play and coaching. The Fort Bend Storm had the following players recieve awards:

Offensive Coach of the Year
Kevin Bennett - Fort Bend Storm

League MVP
Lance Kriesien - Fort Bend Storm

Offensive Player of the Year
Lance Kriesien - Fort Bend Storm - NFC

Offensive Lineman of the Year
Miguel Miranda - Fort Bend Storm - NFC

Running Back of the Year
Albert Abu - Fort Bend Storm - NFC

Linebacker of the Year
Tracy Jones - Fort Bend Storm - NFC

Cornerback of the Year
Jay Jackson - Fort Bend Storm - NFC

Kicker of the Year
Chris Maraviglia - Fort Bend Storm - NFC

The 3rd quarter would start and both teams made their halftime adjustments and it showed. Both teams would struggle on offense by impressive defensive play on both sides of the ball. The Storm got an interception from strong safety Jessie Upson and a forced fumble by defensive end John Kennedy that was recovered by defensive lineman Sean Risinger that stopped drives of the Express and the Express forced a turnover as well. The Express would be the only team to strike in the 3rd quarter with anther 37 yard fieldgoal to end the quarter with the score 24-13.

The 4th quarter would be much of the same with the Storm defense taking over and shutting the Express down. The Storm would add one more touchdown in the middle of the quarter by driving down to the 2 yard line and on a stretch play to the left Albert Abu would get the outside a slide in for his second touchdown of the night to put the nail in the coffin. The extra point was good by Chris Maravelli and brought the score to 31-13.

The final buzzard sounded and the Fort Bend Storm was crowned 2011 GCFA Superbowl VIII Champions.

It takes alot of hard work from everyone to achieve a goal that you set out to accomplish from the first day of practice to this point. The players played their heart out and left it all out on the field and the coaches guided and put players in the right situations to make plays. Some teams play years and never reach this goal and some players keep pushing their bodies to the max to hopefully get a chance to call themselves a champion. On this day, the Fort Bend Storm met this goal after only being an organization for 3 years. Some will remember it , some will forget, and some will never know about it, but the Storm players, coaches, and fans will be able to take this with them forever. There is no money, no glamour, and no notorioty so far in minor league football, but there is a brotherhood and a respect for each other as teammates and coaches that can't compare. We are "The Storm, And We Ride Together".

GCFA SUPERBOWL VIII STATS

Offense
Passing:
Lance Kriesien: 8 of 14 for 153 yds, 1 TD, 2 Int

Rushing:
Abu: 10 rushes for 17 yds, 2 TDs
W. Simmons: 1 rush for 2 yds
Collin: 4 rushes for 36 yds
Bass: 2 rushes for 5 yds
Perkins: 1 rush for -3 yds
Lance: 6 rushes for 46 yds, Fumble

Receiving
Bass: 3 Receptions for 108 yds, 1 TD
Abu: 2 Receptions for 10 yds
Perkins: 1 Reception for 5 yds
Johnson: 2 Receptions for 30 yds

Defense
Munoz: 1 Tackle
M. Thomas: 2 Tackles, Pass Def.
Upson: 5 Tackles, Assisted Tackle, Interception, Pass Def.
Pytlewski: 1 Tackle, 2 Assisted Tackles
Sharky: 3 Tackles, 2 Assisted Tackles
Finn: 3 Tackles, 3 Assisted Tackles, Sack
Martinez: 3 Tackles, 2 Assisted Tackles
Autrey: 2 Tackles, 2 Assisted Tackles
Artis: 2 Tackles, 2 Assisted Tackles, 3 Sacks
Jones: 5 Tackles, 2 Assisted Tackles
Maurice: 1 Tackle, 1 Assisted Tackle
Jackson: 2 Assisted Tackles, Pass Def.
J. Thomas: Assisted Tackle
Kennedy: Tackle, Sack, Forced Fumble
D. Smith: 3 Tackles, Sack
Blackwell: 4 Tackles
King: Tackle
Johnson: Tackle
Sinclair: Tackle
Risinger: Assisted Tackle, Fumble Recovery

Special Teams
Punt
Maravelli: 1 Punt for 45 yds

Xtra Points
Maravelli: 4 for 4

Fieldgoal
Maravelli: 1 for 1 (32 yds)

Kick Return
Jackson: 3 for 154 yds, 1 TD (51.3 Avg)
Buckner: 1 for 2 yds

Punt Return
Buckner: 2 for 44 yds (22 Avg)