Rush Overcome Adversity to Win Division
Kevin Sheller
Tuesday July 9, 2002
Now that Milwaukee is gone, a new rivalry is developing, and when Grand Rapids’ WR/LB Michael Baker trash-talked and smacked WR/DB Dameon Porter during the coin toss ritual, we knew it wouldn’t be friendly. Normally, the coin toss is a time for sportsmanship before the game begins. Not in this case, as penalty flags flew and the benches started to clear.
“There was ugliness on both sides; it started from the damn coin flip,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “Their guys were nasty and mean, and hit one of our guys and it just started the whole thing. The whole game was like that, and I think our guys kept their composure.”
And, as with most rivalries, either team could have won the game Saturday night – but not due to their outstanding play, but due to the other team’s bumbling mistakes and poor officiating. Both teams combined for 31 penalties on the night.
“We don’t even want to discuss the officiating,” said DS Cedric Walker. “Half of us didn’t know what was going on. They called a penalty on (OL/DL John) Moyer for sacking the quarterback. The whistle hadn’t blown, but yet they called it.”
Grand Rapids’ quarterback Todd Hammel was nicked by a defender in the second half and fell to the ground. Moyer hit him as the whistle blew.
It isn’t the first time the Hulk was called for a roughing the quarterback penalty this season.
“They don’t like me,” said Moyer. “The refs don’t like me. I didn’t think the whistle blew yet. I was just going in, (hoping) maybe the ball would pop loose. I’m not just going to go up and touch him. We’re not friends on the field.”
“I was asking the other ref if that umpire was a rookie,” said Moyer, grinning. “I don’t think they liked that too much.”
Even Hohensee was penalized for being in the wrong place on the field.
“I was walking to the end zone where I was supposed to be, and obviously I didn’t get there in time. That’s the first penalty on me since I’ve been coaching. Unbelievable.”
The Rush now stand at 8-4, assuring them at least one home playoff game. In the seed rankings, Chicago has the number three spot. If they can stay in the top four, the Rush will not only get a home playoff game, but a bye week for the first round of the playoffs.
“Our goal right now is to try to get the second seed, and to get two home field advantage (games) in the playoffs and the bye,” said Walker.
After the game, Hohensee gave a post-game speech to his players. “I told them congratulations. We’re champions. We took one banner, and we still have one banner to get. As ugly as it was, we didn’t give up. We went out there and fought, and we made some mental mistakes that we can’t make down the road if we’re going to reach our ultimate goal. They understood that.”
Rush WR/DB Cornelius Bonner committed the biggest ugly mistake. After a short catch and an elusive run with some impressive downfield blocking, Bonner escaped who he thought was the last defender and started to trot and showboat into the end zone. But a few yards before he got there, the ball was chopped out of his arms from behind and bounced out of bounds in the end zone. The play gave the Rampage another chance to gain on the Rush’s flimsy lead.
“I’ve already talked to Bonner,” Hohensee said, “I’m not going to bash the kid for a week. I gave him a look after the play, and he hasn’t looked at me since. I think he understands.”
K Adam Hicks from the Professional Indoor Football League arrived at training camp on Tuesday and kicked for almost 90-minutes straight. He never practiced again all week until a few kickoffs before the game. Hicks’ kickoffs didn’t hit the nets in the first half, but he started to hit the lower iron in the second, and he was perfect on his extra point attempts.
“I was pleased with his extra points,” said Hohensee. “Obviously his kickoffs have to improve. And I don’t know if that’s something that can he can improve in a week. But I thought for coming into a hostile environment – he probably knows nobody’s name on this football team – I thought he did a pretty good job.”
Antonio Chatman earned MVP of the game by earning 152 yards and scoring five touchdowns, despite being sick.
“He’s very weak, light-headed,” said Hohensee. “We’re trying to get some fluids in the kid. He’s got the flu right now.”
Once again, the Rush win. And for the third week in a row, it wasn’t the prettiest win, but they found a way. Even with the adversity of a sick offensive specialist, unnecessary penalties, a big bonehead mistake, and a fiercely competitive and antagonizing opponent.
“As long as we stay together,” said Walker, “there isn’t anybody who can beat us – the other team, the officials – we just have to stay together.”
Chicago has now won five of their last six, with the only loss coming to the undefeated San Jose Sabercats. With two games remaining, the Rush has the advantage of hosting both. Already 5-0 at home, if they can come away with two wins, Chicago will finish at 10-4 and maintain at least the third seed. However, each week the margin of victory has gotten smaller, and this week a surprisingly talented Dallas team comes to town to make it’s stake at earning a top playoff bid.
If Dallas wins, the Desperados would be tied with Chicago by record, but take the lead in head-to-head tie-breakers. The win over rival Grand Rapids was necessary to win the division, but if the Rush want to earn a bye, and possibly host two playoff games, they must beat Dallas next weekend.
Kevin Sheller ia founder of Arenafan Online and was the principal owner until 2004. Kevin graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in technical writing, and has been a member of the Arena Football Internet community since 1993. He has worked as a professional web programmer and is also the executive producer for a computer/video game company. The most recent Xbox title to his credit is called Hunter: The Reckoning.
