Edge drop opener

Bloomington Edge coach Kenton Carr gets ready for the Edge opener against the Chicago Slaughter Sun., Feb. 19, 2012 at the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates, Ill. (Photo by Craig Fata/WJBC)

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The Bloomington Edge, presented by the Heller Stores, played well in stretches but were unable to overcome a few first-half mistakes in a 50-34 loss to the Chicago Slaughter on Sunday at the Sears Center Arena.

Dusty Burk, in his return at quarterback, was 10-of-14 in the first half for 145 yards and three touchdowns, but a 44-yard return of a perfectly placed Peter Christofilakos kickoff put the Slaughter in position to score as time expired at the end of the half, giving them a 37-23 lead.

The Edge defense held the Slaughter scoreless in the third quarter, but despite snagging a couple takeaways, the offense could only muster a 43-yard Christofilakos field goal.

The Slaughter found the end zone twice in the fourth quarter on runs by former Illini Daniel Dufrene and former Syracuse quarterback Perry Patterson.  Burk tried to lead a late charge, hitting John Cooper from 12 yards out with 1:26 left in the game, but the Slaughter recovered the ensuing onside kick.

The Edge are at home Feb. 26 against the Reading Express at 3:05 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

WJBC’s Craig Fata talked with Edge coach Kenton Carr following the game:

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