Game Story by Marc May

The 2004 Mid-States Tournament final pitted two teams that have dominated their respective leagues. The Thunder have won league titles four of the last five years and the Justice have won all three Midwest league titles since their inception.

Both teams had tough semi-final victories: the Thunder defeated the Indiana Mustangs of the AAA Mid-Continental Football League 28-20, while the Justice dispatched the Tri-State Champion Leyden (IL) Lions 21-10.

Going into the game, the Justice knew they needed to limit turnovers and pound the ball on the ground. Three Justice turnovers in the first half led to two scores by the Thunder. Torrence Barnes intercepted Clay Groefsman second pass of the night that set up the opening score. Jorge Sierra hit Andres Roldan on a quick slant to give the Thunder 7-0.

The Justice, on the running talent of Jerome Muldrow, got inside the 5 yard line. Mike Sparacino made a touchdown saving tackle of Muldrow on third and 1 at the two yard line. The Justice went for a field goal that Sparacino blocked, Joe Recchia picked up the ball and raced 75 yards for a toucdown.

In the second half the Justice started winning the turnover battle. Mario Ivy recovered his second fumble that led to a Muldrow touchdown. Jay Carmark interception led to Jerry Larkins' 30 yard field goal at the 9:33 of the 4th quater.

Rather than rest on their laurels, the Thunder went for it all on a third and long from the Justice 31, and Sierra hit Jackson for his second touchdown of the day. This score was set up by the running of Ashlee Frazier. The score gave the Thunder a 21-10 lead.

The Justice did not go easy into that good night. Using intermediate passing with Corey Bethany being the prime target, Groefsman hit Bethany for a 20 yard touchdown. This tightened the score at 21-18. However, without any remaining timeouts the Thunder recovered the on-side kick attempt and went to the 'victory' formation, gaining their second MST championship in four years.

Muldrow and Fraizer were the rushing stars for their respective teams. Sierra once again had ample time behind the blocking of Steve Gurvis, Steve Sliwka, Ivan Malave, Dane Bik and the only original Thunder player in the starting line-up Joe Lemke.

Chicago Thunder - 2004 MSFT Champions

The Justice receive the 2nd place trophy from Jim Nugent