PRESS RELEASE

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2012

DRILLERS  POUND TORNADOS

26 TO 3

MIDLAND, TX –  When a game means a lot to one team and not much to then other you might expect a  one sided affair.    Since the Drillers had already claimed the Gateway Division Championship in the Minor Professional Football League they had nothing to gain in the game against the Texas Torandos at Grande Communications Stadium on Saturday night.  However, the Tornados needed a win to have the opportunity to host a playoff game.   While it was a one sided affair it was the Drillers that showed they want to go into the playoffs strong and pounded out a 26 to 3 victory.

The Drillers offense had a good game especially on the ground.  Running Back Chad Thompson lead the ground attack with 155 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns.  Thompson’s two touchdowns came from 31 yards and 42 yards out.  Joseph Clater would add a 8 yard touchdown run.  Overall the Drillers rushed for 228 yards as a team.

The Drillers defense also had a strong game.  The defensive game plan was to apply constant pressure and tight coverage.  This plan paid off with interceptions by Defensive Backs Richard Garrett and Allen Harrison.  Garretts interception helped lead to a 36 yard flied goal by Kicker Leaf Craddock.  Drillers Defensive End Cory Hill applied enough pressure in the 4th quarter that it lead to a safety.   While the Torandos were only able to put one field goal on the scoreboard.   This made the final score of the game Drillers 26 Tornados 3.

The game was highlighted by a halftime presentation in  a salute to the military.  The Drillers were honored to have several special guest in attendance to take part in this presentation including the family of Sgt. John Paul Castro, Sgt. Castro died as a result of wounds suffered in Afghanistan, two Marines that were injured in Afghanistan as a result of L.E.D. Explosions  Cpl. Joe Canary and Cpl. Rob Brown, MgySgt. Arturo Garcia and Congressman Mike Conaway.  Several fans had  tears in the eyes as they thought about how much the members of the military have done and have paid to protect our countries freedom.

The Drillers will kick off the playoffs on June 2 in the Divisional Championship playoff game.  The opponent in this game will be the winner of the wild card round playoff game in El Paso on May 26 between the Texas Tornados and the El Paso Seminoles.   For more information on the Drillers please see our website at www.wtdrillers.com, or on our facebook page or by calling our office at 432-352-3261.

PRESS RELEASE

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2012

BACK ON TRACK

DRILLERS DESTROY SKYFORCE

32-0

MIDLAND, TX –  The Drillers were looking to get back on track versus the Texas Skyforce on Saturday at Grande Communications Stadium.  On April 14 the Drillers lost for the first time this season in El Paso by a  6  to 2 score.  The best way to get back to the Drillers winning tradition is to focus on the opponent in front of them and that is exactly what the Drillers did against the Skyforce.

The Drillers showed their versatility as several players put points on the scoreboard.   Kicker Leif Craddock would open the scoring finishing up the opening drive with a 38 yard field goal.  The defense would score next as Defensive Lineman Corey Hill and Fred Thrweatt would combine to sack the Skyforce Quarterback in the end zone for a safety.    The Drillers had three different players Randy Means, Joseph Clater and Jerry Zachery run the ball into the end zone for touchdowns.  The final Drillers score came when Quarterback Walter Washington found Edgar Baiza  Jr. in the end zone.  Making the final score Drillers 32 – Skyforce 0

The defense for the Drillers  was once again dominated the game as they have for most of the games this season.  This was a tall order as two of the top Drillers defenders Safety Devon Zimmerman (finalist for the 2011 Defensive MVP in the MPFL) and Middle Linebacker Michael Heetland (2010 Defensive MVP in the MPFL) were both lost for the season with torn achilles.     The Skyforce never had a scoring opportunity and never even reached the red zone.    Many Drillers defenders put massive hits on Skyforce players that left the fans in attendance amazed.

The next 2 weeks will be final the 2 games of the regular season.  The Drillers next game will be in Lubbock against the Outlaws on May  5.  The next home game will take place on May 12 versus the Texas Tornados .  At the May 12 game the first 1,000 fans will receive a bobbled head doll of Drillers mascot “Drillbit”.  The game will also be Military Appreciation Night as among other things Congressman Mike Conaway will be at the game and fans will have the opportunity to go home with the own dog tag.  For more information on the Drillers please see our website at www.wtdrillers.com or on our facebook page or by calling our office at 432-352-3261.

PRESS RELEASE

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

THE WINNING TRADITION CONTINUES

DRILLERS DESTROY AMARILLO TITANS 58 TO 6  

HONOR 32  BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS

MIDLAND, TX –  The Drillers tradition of winning on and off the field continues at Grande Communications Stadium on Saturday Night.  On the field the Drillers made defeating the Amarillo Titans look like “child’s play” with a 58  to 6 victory .  Off the field the Drillers held a very successful Breast Cancer Awareness event .

During the game the Drillers did their best Fed Ex impersonation  delivering quick scores via the ground and the air.  On the very first Drillers play from scrimmage Dusty Stapp carried the ball in from 24 yards out for a touchdown.  On the Drillers 2nd possession the Drillers would score again quickly this time through  the air as Quarterback Walter Washington would  find Marlon Jameson for a 40 yard touchdown pass.  Then back to the ground as Chad Thompson would score form on a 51 yard rush in which defenders were left doing their best to just chase Thompson down the field.   At the end of the first quarter the Drillers lead 21-0

The Drillers continued to dominate in the 2nd quarter.  Stapp would get the first score with a 1 yard run.  Then Washington went back to the air with a 20 yard touchdown pass to Patrick Lindsey.   Washington followed d that up with a 11 yard touchdown on a quarterback keeper.  Late in the 2nd quarter Drillers kicker Leif Craddock would finalize the first half scoring  with a 32 yard field goal.  The Drillers lead at halftime 45 to 0.

With the game well in hand the Drillers turned their attentions to halftime activates for Breast Cancer Awareness Night.  This 2nd annual event saw 32 Breast Cancer Survivors be introduced and honored by the crowd.  Then the Drillers auctioned off several pink footballs that were used during the game and 2 Drillers helmets that were painted pink especially for the event.   The Drillers were able to raise $5300 thru the auction for free Mammograms thru Pink the Basin Inc.

Going back to the field in the 2nd half the Drillers just needed to finalize the activities.  A 20 yard touchdown pass from Washington to Joseph Clater and a 5 yard touchdown run from Thompson would finalize the Drillers scoring efforts.  Amarillo would put one score on the board after a long pass interference penalty in the end zone would place the ball on the 1 yard line.  The game’s final score was Drillers 58 Amarillo 6.

The Drillers next game will be in El Paso on April 14.  The next home game will take place on April 28 versus the Texas Skyforce.    For more information on the Drillers please see our website at www.wtdrillers.com or on our facebook page or by calling our office at 432-352-3261.

PRESS RELEASE

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012

DRILLERS DOMINATE THE 4TH QUARTER

AND DESTROY TEXAS TORNADOS 38 TO 13

LUBBOCK, TX –  Several people were warning the West Texas Drillers that they would have a hard time with the Texas Tornados.   For the first three quarters the Drillers did have a rough time leading at the end of the 3rd quarter only by a 10 to 7 score .  Then in the 4th quarter the Tornados seemed to run out of speed and the Drillers pulled away for a 38 to 13 victory.

When the game began it actually appeared as if the Drillers were going to have an easier time then  they thought as they took the opening drive down the field for a touchdown.   The drive was highlighted by Walter Washington completing passes  of 25 yards to Jordan Lee and 23 yards and20 yards to Edgar Baeza, before Washington ran it in from 19 yards away.  This would turn out to be the only scoring of the first half as the Drillers took a 7 to 0 lead into the locker room.

The 3rd quarter saw Drillers kicker Leif Craddock connect from 42 yards away.  While the Tornados would score a touchdown.  The Drillers would find themselves leading by only 3 points at the start of the 4th quarter.   This is the closest any team has been so far this season this late in the game.

In the 4th quarter  the Drillers would take over scoring 4 touchdowns to the Tornados 1.  The first Drillers score came when Dustin Stapp would run it in from 7 yards away, part of his 102 yard performance.  Then Washington found Jerry  Zachery for a 24 yard touchdown pass across the middle.  Washington followed that up with 42 yard scramble for a score.  Finally, Washington found Beall for a 10 yard touchdown.  Washington ended with 253 yards passing and 92 yards rushing.  The game was a lot closer and harder fought then the final score of West Texas Drillers 38 at Texas Tornados 13 would seem to show.

On Defense the Drillers also continued their success of causing turnover s as Allen Harrison and Ricardo Flores would get interceptions and Julius Durham would recover a Tornados fumble.

The next  Drillers game is on March 31 as they return home to take on the Amarillo Titans.  This game will be Breast Cancer Awareness Night as at half time the Drillers will honor several local area Breast Cancer Survivors and will auction off pink footballs that will be used during the game to raise money for free mammograms via Pink the Basin Inc..  Last season the Drillers were able to raise $5,225 for free mammograms.  Tickets for all Drillers home games can be purchased at any 7-11 location in Midland-Odessa-Big Spring for only $10.  For more information on the Drillers please see our website at www.wtdrillers.com, or on our facebook page or by calling our office at 432-352-3261.

PRESS RELEASE

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2012

DRILLERS KEEP ROLLING WITH

38 TO 8 VICTORY OVER LUBBOCK OUTLAWS 

Midland, TX – The Drillers early season success kept rolling on Saturday night at Grande Communications Stadium in Midland with a 38 to 8 victory over the Lubbock Outlaws.   The success so far this season has come from dominating play by all three phases of the game.  On offense the team would score 6 touchdowns, while the defense would score a touchdown and the special teams would chip in with a field goal.

It looked like the Drillers would have a fight on their hands in the first half.  At the end of the first quarter the Drillers were only able to manage an Aaron Esikhati 42 yard field goal to get them on the board and found themselves leading by a score of only 3 to 0.  Then in the 2nd quarter Chad Thompson would score from 43 yards away and Walter Washington would also find the end zone from 38 yards out on an option play making the halftime score Drillers 17 Outlaws 0.

The Drillers would pull away in the 2nd half.   Dustin Sapp would start the scoring with a 52 yard touchdown run.  Then the Outlaws were actually able to find the end zone with a 35 yard reception by Braylon Bradford.  Thompson would answer that score with a 39 yard touchdown gallop.  Finally Richard Garret intercepted a pass at returned it 55 yards for a defensive score.  This made the final score West Texas Drillers 38 Lubbock Outlaws 8.  With the victory the Drillers now find themselves alone atop the Minor Professional Football Leagues Gateway Division with a 4-0 regular season record.

Next week the Drillers will head to Lubbock to take on the Texas Tornadoes.   The Tornadoes are in 2nd place in the Gateway Division only losing once so far this season, to the El Paso Seminoles.  Then the Drillers will return home Saturday, March 31 when they take on the Amarillo Titans.  The March 31 game will be Breast Cancer Awareness Night as at half time the Drillers will honor several local area Breast Cancer Survivors and will auction off pink footballs that will be used during the game to raise money for free mammograms via Pink the Basin Inc..  Last season the Drillers were able to raise $5,225 for free mammograms.  Tickets for all Drillers home games can be purchased at any 7-11 location in Midland-Odessa-Big Spring for only $10.  For more information on the Drillers please see our website at www.wtdrillers.com, or on our facebook page or by calling our office at 432-352-3261.

PRESS RELEASE

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2012

DRILLERS GROUND SKYFORCE 56 TO 0   

AS STAPP RUSHES FOR 209 YARDS AND 4 TD’S  AND THE DEFENSE CAUSES 5 TURNOVERS

McCamey, TX – The Drillers dominated on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball on Saturday defeating the Texas Skyforce 56 to 0.  The defense never even allowed the Skyforce to enter the red zone and caused 5 turnovers with interceptions by Michael Heetland, Daniel Zachery, and Devon Zimmerman and  fumble recoveries by Tevin Collier and Ricardo Flores.

The Drillers started the game showing their dominance by scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions.  The first 3 drives were all capped by Dustin Stapp touchdown runs from 18 yards, 3 yards and 2 yards out respectfully.  Then quarterback Walter Washington would complete a 37 yard touchdown to Patrick Lindsey.  Just before the first half ended Washington would again find Lindsey in the end zone this time from 12 yards away.  This made the halftime score Drillers 35 at Skyforce 0.

The dominating performance by the Drillers would continue in the 2nd half.  In the 3rd quarter the Drillers would even pull off a fake punt when Lindsey threw a 21 yard completion to Collier.  Stapp would add a fourth rushing touchdown with a 29 yard run part of his 209 yards rushing on the day.   Washington would put two rushing touchdowns on the scoreboard one as a 1 yard QB dive and another with a 50 yard scramble part of his 82 yard rushing performance.  This made the final score Drillers 56 at Skyforce 0.

The only scary moment for the Drillers came after Devon Zimmerman’s interception as during the return he appeared to injure his ankle.  An ambulance did need to be called and Zimmerman was taken to the Hospital.

The next game for the  Drillers will be at home on Saturday, March 17 versus the Lubbock Outlaws and  the first 1,000 fans at that game will receive a Drillers T-shirt.  Tickets for all Drillers home games can be purchased at any 7-11 location in Midland-Odessa-Big Spring for only $10.  For more information on the Drillers please see our website at www.wtdrillers.com, or on our facebook page or by calling our office at 432-352-3261.

PRESS RELEASE

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012

DRILLERS WIN 21 TO 6    

      OVER THE EL PASO SEMINOLES

EL PASO, TX – The Drillers won a hard fought battle over the El Paso Seminoles 21-6 at Grande Communications Stadium on Saturday night.  The game was highlighted by Drillers touchdowns on special teams, defense and offense.  While the Drillers defense put up a strong effort to minimize a good El Paso offense.

The first half of the game was a very tight struggle as both teams would have a difficult time moving the ball against two strong defenses.  In the second quarter the Drillers would score on special teams courtesy of 64 yard punt return by Jordan Lee.  This would lead to a Drillers holding a slim halftime lead of 7 to 6.

In the 2nd half the Drillers would search for other ways to put points on the scoreboard.  They found a way to score on defense as early in the 3rd quarter Drillers Middle Linebacker Michael Heetland intercepted a pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown.  Then in the 4th quarter the Drillers struck through the air with a 36 yard touchdown pass from Walter Washington to Marlon Jameson.   This would make the final score of the game Drillers 21 El Paso 6.  Head Coach Nick Stone stated that, “El Paso has a good team but our defense along with some big plays are what made the difference tonight.”

One of the biggest highlights of the game would come at halftime when the Drillers were able to honor 6 year old Trevor Tredaway and his family.  Trevor is battling a brain tumor and was at the game to help raise funds for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.  Upon hearing Trevor’s Story fans gave Trevor and his family a standing ovation and then went on to bid on several auction items with proceeds going to help St. Jude’s kids.   Drillers General Manager Harold Fuller pointed out that “We won a game on the field tonight and we used several ways to score but the biggest score we made was for the kids from St. Jude’s.   I just hope we helped kids like Trevor win their battle against cancer. “

The Drillers next game will be versus the Texas Skyforce on March 10.  Then the Drillers will return home on Saturday, March 17 versus the Lubbock Outlaws and at that game the first 1,000 fans will receive a Drillers T-shirt.  Tickets for all Drillers home games can be purchased at any 7-11 location in Midland-Odessa-Big Spring for only $10.  For more information on the Drillers please see our website at www.wtdrillers.com, or on our facebook page or by calling our office at 432-352-3261.

PRESS RELEASE

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2012

DRILLERS WIN 38 TO 6  OVER

THE AMARILLO TITANS    

CAPPED BY JERRY ZACHERY 94 YARD TD RUN

AMARILLO, TX -  They say it’s about location, location, location and in many ways that was what the game in Amarillo was about on Saturday night.  The game was played at Caprock High School in Amarillo.  The high winds at times made it difficult to move the ball.  It became obvious during the game that it was going to be a game of fighting for field position.  The Drillers would win this battle as the Drillers defense would set up several Drillers drives starting in great field position.   One drive even starting at the Titans 2 yard line, after the Drillers punt rush made it impossible for the Titans  get a punt off tackling the punter at the 2 yard line instead.

The Drillers were able to score 3 touchdowns in the first half.  The first score game on an 8 yard quarterback keeper by Joseph Clater.  The second touchdown came when bruising fullback Corey Hill ran thru a Titans linebacker on his way to a 2 yard score. While the final first half score would come on a 15 yard pass from Clater to Wide Receiver JD Hernandez.   Amarillo’s only score of the game was aided by 3 consecutive Drillers offside’s penalties that allowed the Titans to get into the redzone and score.   This was actually the only drive of the game that the Titans were able to consistently move the ball against a solid Drillers defense.

At the start of the 2nd half the Titans seemed to actually pin the Drillers in with a good punt that went out at the Drillers 6 yard line.  However, on the very first Drillers offensive play of the 2nd half Jerry Zachery ripped off a 94 yard touchdown run up the left side of the field.  The final score came when Jordan Lee would scramble for a touchdown.  Due to the wind conditions neither team would attempt a field goal opting for 2 point conversions attempts instead.  The Drillers were successful on all but one of their attempts and the Titans were stopped on theirs.

The Drillers next game will be at home on Saturday, March 3 versus the El Paso Seminoles.  The Drillers defeated the Seminoles in the playoffs last year on their way to the championship game.  At  the game on March 3 the Drillers will be giving away 500 posters of the Lady Drillers Dance Team.  But more importantly $4 from every ticket will be donated to the St. Jude’s Research Center compliments of Compass Pediatrics, Dickey’s Barbecue, 7-11 and the Drillers Football team. Six year old Trevor Treadway and his family will also be honored at the game.  Trevor is from Midland and is receiving treatment at the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center for a brain tumor.  Tickets for all Drillers home games can be purchased at any 7-11 location in Midland-Odessa-Big Spring for only $10.

For more information on the Drillers please see our website at www.wtdrillers.com, or on our facebook page or by calling our office at 432-352-3261.

DRILLERS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
WITH 48 TO 26 VICTORY OVER THE CURRY
COUNTY CATS
CHAD THOMPSON RUSHES FOR 312 YARDS,
AND DUSTY STAPP FOR 120 YARDS

MIDLAND, TX -  The West Texas Drillers looked to start off the 2012 season on the right foot at home on Saturday versus the Curry County Cats.  The game plan was to use a strong ground attack.  This game plan worked well as the 2011 Minor Professional Football League MVP Chad Thompson ran for 312 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Dusty Stapp ran for 121 and a touchdown and Jerry Don Zachery chipped in with and 80 yard rushing day.
The Drillers also had a good game on defense forcing 6 turnovers.  Defensive Backs Rich Garrett and Tevin Collier lead the way for the team each causing 2 turnovers.  Rich had 2 interceptions and  while Tevin had an interception and caused a fumble that he also recovered.  Safety Allen Harrison and Devon Zimmerman each also picked off a pass.

Drillers head Coach Nick  Stone stated that,  “When we can run the ball as well as we did tonight and the defense can force that many turnovers we are going to be hard to beat.”  While, Chad Thompson credited his Offensive Line by saying, “those guys had a great game it’s fun to carry the ball with those guys creating the holes.

As the Drillers look forward to the next few games they start of the season against some strong opponents.  Next week the Drillers will head up to Amarillo to take on the Titans.  Last year’s game in Amarillo was one of the closet fought battle of the entire season.  Linebacker Mike Heetland stated that “the Titans are going to be ready for us and we expect a good battle.”  The Drillers next home game will be on Saturday, March 3 versus the El Paso Seminoles.  The Drillers defeated the Seminoles in the playoffs last year on their way to the championship game.

At  the game on March 3 the Drillers will be giving away 500 posters of the Lady Drillers Dance Team.  But more importantly $4 from every ticket will be donated to the St. Jude’s Research Center compliments of Compass Pediatrics, Dickey’s Barbecue, 7-11 and the Drillers Football team. Six year old Trevor Treadway and his family will also be honored at the game.  Trevor is from Midland and is receiving treatment at the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center for a brain tumor.  Tickets for all Drillers home games can be purchased at any 7-11 location in Midland-Odessa-Big Spring for only $10.

For more information on the Drillers please see our website at www.wtdrillers.com, or on our facebook page or by calling our office at 432-352-3261.

Jay Hendricks, Drillbit and Megan Lopez. Congratulations to Jay!! He turned in the winning entry to name the mascot Drillbit.

Jay won 2 VIP season tickets and he donated the 2 tickets to Ray’s of Hope (Megan is with Ray’s of Hope).

“Ray’s of Hope Children’s Grief Center is a community outreach of HospiceMidland. We work with children 4 to 18 years who have suffered a loss due to death, divorce, or other painful transition.”

Jay said that, “I chose them to use the tickets for their needs with children who may have a child needing a distraction.”