Defense Wins Games (In Indiana during Snowstorms)
Matthew Pickut
Tuesday February 18, 2003
“It was a strange game, but we rose to the occasion, it was not your usual arena league game, and it was big because our players continued to play hard,” said Firebird’s head coach Mike Dailey after the game. “It showed a lot of character to play the way we did. To play hard -- to play physical – we’re proud of it.”
Indiana took the opening kickoff down to the Rush 11, but lost the ball as Chicago recovered QB Raymond Philyaw’s fumble into the end zone. Despite the offensive woes endured by the Firebirds, the offense played just well enough to win, and although Philyaw only amassed 140 yards passing, he avoided throwing an interception for the third time this year.
Defensively the ‘Birds put together a complete team effort, intercepting Rush QB Chad Salisbury twice and returning one interception for a TD late in the game. The front five of Indiana forced Salisbury to scramble out of the pocket all game long and looked for his second and third receivers on the run.
“Its always nice, not only for the family but for the fans and the team, we’re on a roll 3-0,” said FL/LB Rich Young whose contingent of family member stood out among the crowd as some of the rowdiest. “Coach decided to put an emphasis on defense this year with the pass rush and it looks like it paid of significantly – the last three games our pass rush has been dominant.”
“There had to be about 30 of them, they’re coming out of the woodwork. I didn’t even know that I had family like that… I’m from Arizona, but I have family in Chicago, so it was only a three-hour road trip for them.”
Behind the front line, DS Evan Hlavacek, the game MVP, recorded 8.5 tackles and shut down whatever receiver he faced.
“Its special [being voted MVP] but it’s a team game, this really goes to the whole team,” said Hlavacek as he signed autographs after the game. “I had played poor and coach was talking to the defensive backs and challenged us to play better.”
Just as impressive was the play of DS Delphrine “Del” Lee who joined the team from Toronto during the off-season. It was obvious from the beginning of the game that the Rush game plan was to challenge Lee.
“I knew that they were going to try and come at me, cause I’m the new guy,” remarked Lee. “I know their quarterback because I played with him last year in Toronto, so we kind of played mind games with each other, I knew he was going to come after me and try and get me deep.”
Lee’s play received praise from his teammates and coaches “He did a great job. My hat’s off to him. It’s tough being out there in the middle,” said Hlavacek, “and I think he or Donnie [Caldwell] should have got the award because defense won the game for us tonight.”
Dailey knew that it would be a challenge for Dell this week.
“He made the plays, if you are in the secondary in this league, they are going to go after you. [When] you play the middle on their motion guy, you’re going to get the majority of the work. In this league, coming up with an interception is huge.”
Dailey also gave credit to a very enthusiastic crowd that numbered over 12,000 despite weather that sent several neighboring counties into snow emergencies. “It was a great crowd and they were into it. They had a lot to do with the win,” revealed Dailey. “No one is used to defense in the league. I’ve been in this league for 14 years and I’m not used to it, so I found myself doing a little cheering.”
Drop Kicks
Twice during Sunday’s action the Firebirds were hurt by untimely offsides penalties. Where last year those penalties would have resulted in only a 5-yard penalty, this year they resulted in a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down. That extra first down bailed Chicago out of two 3rd and longs in a tight game.
“We obviously didn’t do a good job in those situations tonight,” admitted Dailey. “We tried to put a big emphasis on it in camp, we even put in a signal for situations where it’s third and less than five and you need to be aware of the hard count. Now we actually have a signal where its third and long and we’ve been relaying it to them. Hugh knew it. He was even one of the guys relaying. I’m not a huge fan of [the rule], but I would certainly never question the reason why the rule is there.”
WR/DB DeJuan Alphonzo’s departure from Indiana last week surprised many who had been following the Firebirds. Aphonzo returned to the Fieldhouse Sunday and recorded one tackle. DeJuan wanted to thank those in the Indiana area who supported him through being cut and find a new job with the Rush.
“Tell them thanks,” he said, “I appreciate all their support, and they can still follow my career, I’m just a little ways down the road. I love my city but I feel like great things are ahead of me.”
Matthew Pickut is a pastor in northern Indiana and a long time AFL fan. He also writes for his own website: The Brown Paper Blog. He graduated from Taylor University in Upland Indiana (class of `96) with degrees in Biblical Literature and Sociology as well as a healthy respect for the medicinal properties of coffee.
