Wagner Leads San Jose in Win Over Carolina
Tim Ball
Monday March 31, 2003
Wagner’s productivity was key to San Jose overcoming Carolina’s attempt at underdog excellence. But, added to Wagner’s historic ability to play at a high level, are teammates that are with him every step of the way. Whether rookie or veteran, the SaberCats get productivity from the players on the field.
Wagner scored the only San Jose touchdown in the first quarter, scored in the second, dominated on defense in the third and had touchdowns on special teams play with an 8-yard return on an onsides attempt in the fourth and finished up by scoring the game’s final touchdown.
“In this league, there are so many factors that go in to winning and losing,” said Wagner. “The Cobras showed why tonight. They came in and dominated the first quarter and played great. We all know they have a good team but the little things and the big things all add up by the end of the game.”
One of those things is taking the home crowd out of the game. Many San Jose faithful sat stunned at the effectiveness of Carolina in the first half. On the first play from scrimmage, Cobras QB Robert Hall hit WR Tramain Jones in stride on a 38-yard pass that only took 31 seconds off the clock. On the ensuing San Jose drive, the Cobra’s Ty Law intercepted Mark Grieb’s fourth pass of the game.
The SaberCats answered right back with an interception off an errant throw by Hall that hit the screen and was recovered by San Jose’s DS Wendell Davis. When fans thought that things were settling down and they could relax and watch the SaberCats go to work; Carolina came out swinging. After Wagner caught a short pass from Grieb, Carolina shut down San Jose on the next four plays and received the ball on downs.
Not repeating his first mistake, Hall had his team up 13-0 on the next three plays, when he found WR Jamaal Garman on a 14-yard touchdown pass.
The SaberCats players, to a man, knew that Carolina had done its homework and has a talented crew. In the first quarter, San Jose could only manage one score on three possessions.
San Jose’s defensive coordinator Michael Church prepared his team for what they could expect. “There was no doubt that we knew Carolina could play at this level,” said Church. “You look at the talent over there and you know that they haven’t gotten the breaks or something isn’t clicking. They came at us with a good game plan but we expected a tough game and it all came together for us when it counted.”
A Familiar Story
 Clevan Thomas returned yet another kickoff for a TD; this time against Carolina. Image courtesy of Ken LaRue |
“We needed to convert the turnovers and chances we had,” said George. “This is frustrating because we had the opportunities. Against a team like San Jose you’ve got to keep pace. We have a great team but one or two stops in this game is what makes the difference.”
As wild as the beginning of the first half was, the third quarter was standard football. That was not what Carolina needed. San Jose has too many players to call on when times get tough. It’s even more difficult for visiting teams having to play the SaberCats where they feel the most comfortable. San Jose has won 18 straight at home including this victory over Carolina.
FB/LB Matt Kinsinger is one of the SaberCats silent performers who is always there when needed. And WR/LB Kevin McKenzie, whose clutch grab for a TD in the fourth quarter, added to both players continuing their quiet productivity.
As a fan favorite, Kinsinger’s nice demeanor and smiling, happy face delights kids after the game. Not so for opposing players. Kinsinger was given a second chance after his fumble was recovered by teammate James Roe on the first drive of the second half. Kinsinger burst through the heart of the Cobra defense for a seven-yard run for six points on his next opportunity.
“This is Arena Football. There are very few times you get a second chance,” said Kinsinger. “Look at Carolina; that’s a very good team and you can tell something is not going their way. We pride ourselves in making things happen and we had to go after them hard coming out in the second half.”
McKenzie is another example of a San Jose player waiting patiently in the wings. “It’s important to keep focused whether on the sideline, at practice or on the field,” said McKenzie. “There are a lot of players who produce for this team and it’s important to be ready when you get the call.”
San Jose’s strategy relies on some of the most basic skills: Practice makes perfect and making plays when it counts. In the fourth quarter, the SaberCats applied both. This game will show a blowout in the box scores, but the truth in the trenches is far different. Players had to make plays.
 Anthony Cobbs and Barry Wagner waiting for the whistle. Image courtesy of Ken LaRue |
With the score 55-33 and 3:37 left in the game, the Cobras managed one more score, which Wagner matched on another rushing touchdown to stretch the lead to its final outcome 62-40.
The Truth Be Told
Somehow, games are won and lost. Sometimes the score is not the place to find the reason.
“This is frustrating,” said Carolina head coach Mike Hold. “This team has the players to get it done and they don’t deserve this record. I have a lot of faith in the organization and the talent to overcome the difficulties we are going through.”
Coach Hold is right. There was no quit in his team against the champion SaberCats and players coming out of the locker room had the look of a team searching for answers and not looking for excuses.
DS Derrick Stingley represents this outlook with the class and style of a true professional. Answering reporters with direct answers rather than clichés, Stingley represents what coach Hold is talking about.
“I came to this team by choice,” said Stingley, whose beautiful ArenaBowl ring speaks for itself. “We can’t hide our record but I know things are coming together. The organization is committed to the players and we will build a winner. It’s from these kinds of things you see what you’re made of. We have the team to get it done but you have to play to your abilities for the whole game.”
The Shining Stars
Wagner did what Wagner has always done and his excellence will be the stuff of AFL legends some day. Keala Keanaaina, (another happy fullback) shares time with formidable teammates Kinsinger and James Williams. While all three saw time on the field it was Keanaaina who netted the games MVP award for an all-out performance. Like Kinsinger, Keanaaina had to be pulled away from his adoring fans
Keanaaina (pronouced: key ahna ah eye nuh) makes the most of every minute he’s on the field and not only came up big on defense, but scored twice in the red-zone in both the first and second half. “I’m in the right place at the right time,” kidded Keanaaina. “This was a tough game and I’m happy to have played a part in the win. It was me tonight and it will be someone else next time. We have a lot of talented guys on this team and when you get your time to play it’s important to do your best.”
With the help of players like Keanaaina, San Jose leads the league in rushing touchdowns with 32 in the season’s first nine games.
Head coach Darren Arbet keeps his players at a level that motivates them to perform when called on. “Every player wants to play in a game like this or any other. We knew that Carolina could match up with us and it falls on the players to come in and perform. We are fortunate that players realize that their time on the field is as valuable as anyone else.”
The Sum Total of San Jose
Talent plus productivity equals wins. How you reach that formula is the key. Wagner could be adding to his career totals on any team in the league but not necessarily in the win column.
The SaberCats played against an 0-8 team like they play against any other; and, they should. The talent on those teams may at any time equal their productivity level. With the season half over and seven games left, it’s not going to get any easier.
If the first quarter against the Carolina Cobras proved anything, it is that playing your best needs to be sustained over the entire game.
The San Jose SaberCats have lost close games, won a close game and battled from beginning to end in each game. San Jose is now at 7-2 and atop the league in scoring efficiency and rushing touchdowns. With a team of players who produce when their called on, the SaberCats are continuing the excellence that have seen them in the playoffs the last three season and had them hoisting the trophy as reigning champions.
The teams that will rise as the season heads into the second half will be the teams that have the talent and can balance it with players producing the victories that will see them beyond when the season ends.
Wagner shows how excellence, talent, and productivity can help in winning a game and his teammates show him they are with him every step of the way.
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
