Joel Drake's first "welcome to the league moment" came in week one of his rookie season vs the Myrtle Beach Buccaneers. Having just watched his offense secure a 7 point lead with just 11 minutes left on the clock in the 4th quarter, Drake and the defense walked out determined to hold that lead...and then promptly blew it in a 3 and a half minute TD drive ending in a 2 yard run. Disappointing but not game-ending, the defense and Drake went back to the sideline and entered into a struggling stalemate. Both teams failed to score anything for several drives and the game was assumed to be heading to overtime. But with just 30 seconds left on the clock rookie QB Sam Howitzer tossed an ill-timed interception to Cornerback Tyrone Woods on his own 15 yard line. With just enough time for one play the Buccaneers tossed a TD right over Drakes head and celebrated their victory with 0 seconds left on the clock. Bitter and disappointed Drake blamed the offense for a long time after that loss, but came to realize that he and his unit owed their own share of responsibility for the defeat, and Drake vowed to be the leader both on the defense and the team as a whole.
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