Kevin McKenzie B-I-G in San Jose`s Dramatic Win
Tim Ball
Tuesday May 6, 2003
With 34 seconds left in the game, San Jose’s Kevin McKenzie stared straight up at another cruelly delivered piece of perfection from Rampage kicker Brian Gowins. All night long the Rampage kicker slammed the lid down on any opening for a good runback by the SaberCats with his flawless kickoff placement.
As fate would have it, McKenzie was perfect also when it counted.
Gowins’ kick split the uprights, hit the soft netting and fluttered out of the back of the endzone. McKenzie reached out, then stretched out and with one foot out of the playing field grabbed the ball a foot from the floor. With no hesitation, McKenzie turned and took off and ran 49 yards with an entire game on his back.
Grand Rapids wasn’t sleeping and hit McKenzie with everything they had. Somehow he stayed on his feet and ironically was slowed up long enough by Gowins for more successful attempts at tackling by his teammates.
The agonizing runback for the Rampage was all the more tragic as San Jose took 19-second’s off the clock and had the ball and control of the outcome virtually assured. Though McKenzie did not score, his 49-yard runback was far better. San Jose burned off another 11 seconds on the final touchdown drive.
 Known for his passing, Grieb made his mark against GR with a game-winning rush. Image courtesy of Ken LaRue |
On the ensuing SaberCats kickoff, Daron Alcorn put the ball out of the back of the endzone and Grand Rapids was facing the outcome they had tried to give to San Jose.
In the most unfair twist of fate of the night, after a pass play that used three seconds and only netted a seven yard gain, Gowins was forced to attempt a 53-yard field goal with one second remaining to claim victory. The SaberCats defense wasn’t about to give him a chance and Gowins’ hurried kick fell short of its mark.
In a game that saw both teams play like the champions they are, the outcome between the two may be settled later as both have a chance to face-off in the playoffs.
The Involved Emote
“What a game,” said McKenzie. “I thought the ball was going out of the endzone but it fell just where I could reach it. When I turned, there were players all around me because it took a long time for the ball to come down. My teammates never stopped blocking and pursuing the play and that was key to getting a good return. I think both teams knew what was on the line because people were laying each other out.”
“What’s frustrating, is that the ball went where I wanted it to go,” said Gowins. “It would have been better if he had scored. It would have given us the time needed to win the game and I have no doubts that we would have won.”
Grand Rapids WR/DB Terrill Shaw was pure class after the agonizing lost. “They have a great team and they got it done,” said Shaw. “We missed some opportunities that would have put us a few touchdowns in front but the credit goes to the SaberCats for doing the things that got the win.”
On matching up with DS Clevan Thomas, Shaw’s graciousness continued. “You want to go against the best and Thomas gives you very little space. San Jose forces the pass to have to be perfect and our success against them tonight came up one play short. I hope we get to play them again.”
“They mix up the short pass and long play as good as I’ve seen this season,” said Thomas. “It’s clear why they won a championship. Shaw runs his routes in a way that if you aren’t right up on him he’s gone. They force you to play perfect every down and as you can see Shaw got three tonight. They don’t let up at anytime no matter what happens. That’s the difference in a great team.”
Defensive/special teams assistant coach Carlton Connor knows how patient players have to be in San Jose. “Kevin has put out the effort for these kinds of performances. Big plays don’t just happen,” said Connors. “This is the second time he’s come up with a crucial runback at the end of a game when we needed it. To play on this team waiting and being ready is key. Kevin works hard and it shows.”
Though totally disappointed, head coach Michael Trigg knows the SaberCats. “San Jose plays really aggressive and that’s what’s won them a championship,” said Trigg. “Even in the record they have right now they force you to make the long ball throw. We felt we could have success here tonight. It came down to one play. They made it and we didn’t.”
Toughing It Out
The two quarterbacks, Mark Grieb and Clint Dolezel, had it rough, as did many of their teammates. There was clearly a war of pride in the trenches. The amount of hurried passes (one of three were incomplete) by each was an indication that something was going on between the last two ArenaBowl Champions…both quarterbacks ended with very similar statistics. Grieb was 21 of 31 for 251 yards and 6 TDs , while Dolezel was 19 of 30 for 249 and 7 TDs.
“There wasn’t much time to get a good rhythm,” said Grieb. “Their kicker kept us pinned deep most of the game and their rush never let up. Usually the game tightens up in the second half but the intensity in this game was there from the opening kickoff.”
Dolezel was clearly upset over the loss, but not at his teammates. “We should have been two touchdowns ahead,” said Dolezel. “There were some breaks that I think should have went our way but didn’t. I’m not conceding anything. Our guys played great tonight in every phase of the game. Yes, San Jose is an exceptional team and did what needed to be done to get the win… I hope we face them again.”
The “breaks” mentioned by Dolezel came from some questionable calls by the officiating team who had their work cut out for them. Even hometown fans couldn’t keep up with the bewildering array of situations handled by the officials. There could have been a flag on almost every play in this intense game.
The second half came to an end on some kind of infraction by Grand Rapids with the ball just eight yards from the San Jose goal line. While fans sat puzzled, the SaberCats coaches hurried their players into the locker room while it was explained that Grand Rapids were guilty of an illegal formation.
Neither quarterback was at ease all night and players were slow getting up on most plays. Grand Rapids had two players, OL/DL Jason Gamble (ankle) and DS Cecil Doggette (neck) taken off the field on stretchers by the end of the night and San Jose was using multiple player substitutions to lessen the odds for them.
(Note: Doggette’s injury had him down for a long time and when taken off the field, the eight-year veteran received a standing ovation from fans and support from players and coaches of both teams who followed him off the field. Visit the Rampage team website this week for updates on both Doggette and Gamble.)
An Arena Game
This game, like so many this year, was settled only when time ran out. The fairness of equality is never really settled. Only lessons can be learned and mistakes remembered for next time.
The dramatic ending was a result of an earlier failing. Grieb’s sack in the second quarter resulted in San Jose only getting a field goal on the drive. In the second half Grieb made sure it wouldn’t happen again as several other possible sacks were fended off by the savvy QB tossing souvenirs into the stands.
The intensity and emotions of the Rampage may have gotten the best of them. On the winning play for San Jose, Grieb, who runs a 4.4 forty in some of his best dreams, was called on to go for it all and get the win on a two-point conversion with four seconds left in the game.
With everyone in the place knowing that San Jose’s virtually flawless running backs or any number of star receivers would be expected to make the play, Grand Rapids players and everyone else in the arena were completely fooled by Grieb trotting untouched into the endzone for the games final score. It pays to employ a QB with a Masters degree.
But, with four seconds left in the game, no fan of Arena Football could take that elusive deep breath until four zeroes were officially on the clock. The SaberCats earned victory on a two-point conversion but couldn’t claim it until a winning attempt by Grand Rapids fell short.
So once again, two outstanding teams showcasing an outstanding game played it down to the last opportunity for a win. Mistakes and sensational effort all factors into being at the right place at the right time.
The 2003 season is still up for grabs and in a game that Yogi Berra never dreamed of, but whose prophetic uttering fits so well…“it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”
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.
