Offensive Consistency Steers Pioneers Over Brigade
Michael Balakier
Sunday April 27, 2003
Offensively, quarterback Chris Boden and kicker Jimmy Kibble led the way for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Kibble finished perfect on the night from field goals and extra points, going 3-3 and 7-7, respectively, while Boden threw for 246 yards and five touchdowns. The win is the Pioneers first of the season, and as Boden put it, a “do-or-die win.”
“We needed this one to get back on track,” said Boden, “and we came out tonight and we did it. We persevered through the game and everyone did a great job.”
The win also gives Wilkes-Barre/Scranton head coach Dean Cokinos his first arena ball victory. Cokinos commented after the game: “We did the little things today that help you win games,” said Cokinos. “It was good to have a game where we didn’t beat ourselves.”
However, the game didn’t start as picture perfect as the Pioneers would have liked. On the first offensive play of the game, Rochester WR/DB Derek Baker intercepted Boden’s pass intended for OS Cosmo DeMatteo. Still, the Pioneers defensive stepped up to block a Brigade field goal attempt, and from that point, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton never looked back, as they scored on each of their next ten possessions.
Pioneers’s OS Cosmo DeMatteo, who finished with 10 receptions and 3 TDs, said that the victory over the Brigade was huge. “It’s a great team win,” said DeMatteo. “I think we can go on a little run here. Once we get a win, I think we’re going to build on it.”
FB/LB Elly Salamo, who scored on a 12-yard run and came up with a huge sack late in the fourth quarter, agrees with DeMatteo, saying that the team has to start their run now.
“This was basically the game for who was in the bottom of the barrel,” said Salamo, “and we know we were nowhere near the bottom of the barrel. We’re not gonna stop for nothing. We’re gonna keep on playing the way we played today, then play better the next game, and the game after that. “We have another [divisional] game next week and we’ve got to start winning these [divisional] games so our non-conference opponents know we’re no joke and we can handle anybody that comes to us.”
Cokinos also said that the team is just starting to hit stride. “It takes a while to build a team,” said Cokinos. “It can’t happen in two or three weeks. We’ve been getting better, playing better, and we’ve just got to keep doing what we’re doing. It’s building process, and it’s not going to stop.”
Game Notes
Butterfingers: Statistically speaking, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton OS Cosmo Dematteo had a great game, hauling in ten receptions and three touchdowns. However, DeMatteo also had several dropped passes, two of which, if caught, would have been touchdowns. Jokingly, DeMatteo said that he used a half butter, half margarine cream on his hands prior to the game. He also said that he’d be willing to share it with any receivers who need it. But all funniness aside, DeMatteo pleaded his case after the game: “I don’t know what happened. It was just tough. I missed one, dove after one and just barely missed it. To be honest with you, it just got in my head. I just started pressing.” However, DeMatteo did a complete 180 in the second half. He explains the turnaround: “I just calmed down. This game is fun and that’s what it’s meant to be. It’s a game. I put a little too much pressure on myself in the beginning. I’m gonna work next week [in practice] and catch 1,500 balls and hopefully I’ll pick it up. I’m gonna throw those gloves away and get a new pair. I did change gloves in the second half.”
Shoeless: Gloves weren’t the only apparel item giving DeMatteo trouble. On his first touchdown reception, DeMatteo lost his shoe at the 5-yard line and proceeded to run into the endzone with only one shoe on. “I just about dropped that ball too,” said DeMatteo. “I’m just thankful I caught it.” DeMatteo also gave credit to Pioneers’ Harry Brunson and Brian Holkovic for making great blocks all game.
Shoeless—Part 2: DeMatteo wasn’t the only Pioneers’ player to lose his shoes during the game, as FB/LB Joe Massey lost one of his shoes while sacking Rochester quarterback Kevin Carty late in the fourth quarter.
Crunch time: When the pressure’s on and the clock is winding down, who do you call: Elly Salamo. Salamo scored on a 12-yard run with 3:40 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Pioneers a 53-35 lead. On Rochester’s ensuing possession, Salamo helped end any chance of a Rochester comeback by sacking Brigade quarterback Kevin Carty. Salamo commented on “crunch time” after the game: “I just know that in the crunch time like that in the fourth quarter no matter how tired you are, you got to suck it up and give it your all.”
Kibble’s corner: The fans’ favorite kicker, Jimmy Kibble, turned in his best performance of the season Saturday night, going 3-3 on field goals and hitting all seven of his extra points. Actually, Kibble’s performance may have been the best of his career, both collegiate and professional. Kibble said that he doesn’t think that he’s ever had a perfect game between extra points and field goals. “I’d have look in the stat book,” Kibble said, “but I’m always looking for the next game cause as my father says and a lot of people in athletics say, you’re only as good as your next kick.” Kibble probably does wish that he could have one kick back from Saturday’s game, only problem is he can’t have the ball back, as it is still lodged somewhere inside the main scoreboard hanging above midfield at the First Union Arena. Aside from his one kickoff hitting the scoreboard, Kibble said that he had a pretty good game. “I think I’m good for at least one scoreboard a game,” said Kibble, “but don’t let coach Cokinos hear that, he’d rather me hit them off the nets each time.”
Michael Balakier first discovered a knack for writing during his senior year in high school while reporting for his school`s newspaper. Aside from being an Arenaball fan, Michael is an avid Syracuse University athletics follower, which poses a problem for him, as he attends the University of Pittsburgh. Michael plans on using what he has learned through his Arenafan experience to remain as impartial as he can during future Syracuse/Pitt events. Michael also serves as co-Editor of the af2 section of Arenafan Online.
