MIAMI, Florida -
One year removed from the most exciting Championship Game in NAFL history (Indianapolis Tornados 45, San Diego Thunder 35, 2008), the NAFL found a way to provide the NEW most exciting Championship Game in NAFL history. John Dirkhising kicked an 18-yard field goal as time expired, and the St. Paul Pioneers (15-1) defeated the Nashville Storm (13-1) by a score of 23-21, and claimed the 2009 NAFL National Championship.

This game had four ties and two lead changes, and had all of the fans at the North Miami Athletic Stadium on the edge of their seats for all 60 minutes of the contest.

Similar to their last playoff game (37-31 OT win @ Central Penn Piranha), the Nashville Storm scored first. On their second possession, Nashville drove 57 yards to the 1-yard line of St. Paul. On the next play, Johnathan Carter Walked into the end zone for the touchdown. Garrett Morgan added the extra point to give the Storm a 7-0 lead (9:52).

The Pioneers answered with an 81-yard scoring drive on their next possession. Nate Harrington hooked-up with Joseph Mapson on a 47-yard touchdown strike. John Dirkhising knotted the game at 7 points each with 3:28 left in the opening quarter. After that score, the St. Paul Pioneers gained some confidence, and knew that they could play with the Nashville Storm.

Late in the second quarter, a play took place that changed the entire complexion of the game. With the ball on the Pioneers' 10-yard line, Nashville quarterback Phellepe Hall fired a pass into the flat. Nate Beulah intercepted the pass, and had enough presence to lateral the ball as he was being tackled. Fellow defensive back Donte Pettis took the lateral in stride, and raced 90 yards for the pick-6. Instead of possibly going up 14-7, the Storm were now trailing 14-7 at the 2:25 mark of the first half. That single play was a huge momentum swing in favor of the Pioneers.

However, the potent Storm offense had plenty of time remaining (2:16) to try and tie the game before halftime. Hall engineered a 59-yard scoring drive, capped with a 2-yard run by fullback Kelcey Williams with 11 seconds left. The halftime score was 14-14, and it would only get more exciting in the second half.

Midway through the third quarter, the Pioneers took the lead again. This time it was on a 1-yard run by Jon Robinson. The extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the door open for the Storm to take the lead on a touchdown and successful extra point.

Nashville took advantage of the miscue by St. Paul, and drove 65 yards for the game-tying touchdown. Wide receiver Ivan Burley caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Hall. Garrett Morgan nailed the extra point, and the Storm held a slim 21-20 lead with 10:57 remaining in the game.

There were 5 field goal attempts in this game, all of which were in the second half. At this point, each kicker was 0-1, and both would have at least one more chance to atone for the miscues.

On their next possession, the St. Paul drive stalled at the Nashville 21-yard line. John Dirkhising attempted a 38-yard field goal, and it was no good (5:34). Clinging to a 1-point lead, the Storm were in position to drive down the field and virtually lock down a championship victory.

However, their drive would stall at the 28-yard line of the Pioneers. Garrett Morgan missed on a 45-yard field goal attempt. With 2:00 remaining in this epic contest, the Pioneers had one last shot to win the 2009 NAFL National Championship.

Aside from the 90-yard interception return in the second quarter, the biggest play of the game was about to take place. Pioneer quarterback Nate Harrington tossed a deep pass into double coverage. One of the Storm defenders was covering the intended Pioneer receiver, the safety came from over the top and made contact with the receiver prior to the ball arriving. A defensive pass interference penalty was assessed, and moved the ball deep into Storm territory.

A couple plays later, the Pioneers were threatening to score a touchdown. With no timeouts left, they tried a running play from the 1-yard line, which was stuffed. Harrington hurried his troops to line scrimmage, as the clock was under 10 seconds. Harrington spiked the ball to stop the clock with 3 seconds remaining.

Barring a defensive penalty, this would be the final play of the game. The fate of the 2009 NAFL National Championship Game was all up to the St. Paul Pioneers' long-snapper, holder, and kicker John Dirkhising. The snap was on the money; the hold was perfect; the kick was up, and it was good! With 0:00 showing on the clock, the scoreboard read St. Paul 23, Nashville 21.

Dirkhising was 2-3 on extra points and 1-3 on field goals. However, the most important kick he made was the one that gave his team the 2009 NAFL National Championship. "I was talking with John just the other day, and he said that he had never kicked a game-winning field goal in his football career," stated Jim Walsh, defensive coordinator for the St. Paul Pioneers. Finally, Dirkhising can put a game-winning field goal on his resume.

Congratulations to the St. Paul Pioneers and Nashville Storm for providing the most exciting Championship Game in NAFL history.


NAFL National Championship Game Offense MVP
WR Joseph Mapson (St. Paul) 6 rec - 126 yards, TD (47)

NAFL National Championship Game Defense MVP
DE Jeff McGaster (St. Paul) 8 tackles, 2 sacks, blocked field goal

Honorable Mention Players
QB Nate Harrington (St. Paul) 20-36, 312 yards, 1 TD / 1 INT
WR Ivan Burley (Nashville) 5 rec - 101 yards, TD (23)
WR Jeremie Whittaker (Nashville) 5 rec - 82 yards
WR Ed Reed (St. Paul) 5 rec - 81 yards
DB Nate Beulah (St. Paul) 6 tackles, 1 INT - 3 yards
LB Nathaniel Claybrooks (Nashville) 8 tackles, 2 passes defended

Team Stats Pioneers Storm
First Downs 14 17
Rush - Yards 12-14 28-144
Passing Yards 285 191
Comp-Att-INT 20-36-1 14-31-1
Total Yards 299 335
Punts - Avg. 5-36.0 5-44.0
Sacks Recorded 4 2
Turnovers Forced 1 1
Fumbles - Yards 0-0 1-0
Penalties - Yards 8-77 7-70