SaberCats Earn Top Seed After Beating LA
Tim Ball
Wednesday May 21, 2003
While all the stars were out and shining at the start of the game, it was down and dirty hard work that had both teams looking at victory in the end.
San Jose totally dominated Los Angeles in the first quarter 20-0, coming up with two interceptions on LA’s first two drives. Scoring easily against a seemingly-bewildered Avengers team, the SaberCats looked to squash the hapless visitors and claim league supremacy with little opposition.
San Jose’s swagger quickly turned to worry when the Avengers took ownership by pounding into the lead 26-20, dominating both sides of the line for 14:31 in the second quarter.
Momentum in Arena Football is like the owner’s signature on a player’s check; it keeps a team motivated and LA never slacked off. By scoring their fourth touchdown in four straight possessions, LA was looking to take the lead and control of the game with only 29 seconds remaining until halftime.
But in Arena Football, 29 seconds is 29 seconds too many.
With five seconds to spare, the SaberCats’ quarter-hour nightmare came to an end when QB Mark Grieb hit WR James Roe for an 11-yard TD pass to tie the game, 26-all. What followed was a “clutch” extra point by newly signed kicker Scott Szeredy (taking over for injured Daron Alcorn) that gave San Jose the lead, 27-26.
 Graziani met the mat under SJ`s Keanaaina. Image courtesy of Los Angeles Avengers |
That defensive play by San Jose’s Keala Keanaaina would foreshadow the future for both quarterbacks in the second half. The comfort that each enjoyed for a quarter in the first half would only occur briefly in the second. For one team it would mean victory and the number one seed.
But, whatever went on in the locker rooms during the mid-game break, the intensity of the game hung in the air on the field, waiting for the players to take it back.
Fans are key
There were 15,407 tickets sold for this game. Far too many red jerseys adorned the fans in those seats, having driven six hours to watch their Avengers battle for the top seed. LA earned their trust and respect, if not the win.
Avengers star player Mathias Vavao’s family and friends almost took up an entire row. Michael and Eileen Goldsmith, a couple from Burbank, drove five hours for the game and have even attended the Rattlers/Avengers game with “those intense Snake Pit fans.”
The Goldsmiths were in the longest line of the year in San Jose in a sea of green shirts. “We were at the first game between LA and San Jose. It was insane,” said Michael. “This one is for first place and we didn’t want to miss it.”
“There’s a lot of San Jose fans here early but I see some other red shirts around as well,” joked Eileen. And whom would they like to see in the championship game? “We would like to see San Jose or Arizona play us in the ArenaBowl,” the couple said.
Ken Stewart, amid a sea of red, high-fived an excited seven-year old after a San Jose touchdown. The boy, whose excitement had him in the aisle most of the game, ran up three rows and offered his hand to Stewart. Glancing to the LA faithful to his right, Stewart got nods and smiles from his friends and quickly acknowledged the youth, who was gone in an instant.
San Jose and LA are proud teams and they have the fans to go with it. Well done, Mr. Stewart…
The best teams in the Arena League have the best fans. San Jose, Tampa Bay, Orlando, Arizona and Grand Rapids are championship teams as much for their faithful fans as their talented players. Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles are proving their crowds are key to the next level.
Throughout the history of ArenaBowls, the number one seed has hosted 14 out of 16 championship games. That is why it’s called the “homefield advantage.” And that is the value of loyal fans.
San Jose fans can “bring it on” with the best of them. From the moment the SaberCats took the field coming out of the locker rooms until the end of the game, the cheering never stopped.
Big game, big plays
San Jose fans aren’t spoiled yet but the team management sure tries. Loaded down for this game with Clevan Thomas bobblehead dolls (a must have), cowbells, SaberCats and SaberKittens posters (woo-hoo!), this game screamed Important Game. But San Jose had one more gift in the wings; the SaberCats came into this game knowing that the number one seed was the most anticipated prize.
As a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Thomas’s bobblehead featured him in his classic back-up stance. He headed the SaberCats in the right direction when he intercepted Tony Graziani on LA’s first pass of the game, though. Thomas’s league-leading 13th interception started things in motion for both defenses that wouldn’t stop until the last second of the game.
Grieb (30 of 43 for 339 yards, 6 TDs, 3 Ints) had a tough time in the pocket and completed most passes on the move. LA’s Graziani (12 of 29 for 240 yards 4 TDs and 4 Ints) had it even worse, with the second half of the game being played with more ferocity than the first.
Neither team was allowed much peace on offense. It was clear that the game would be won on some defensive play, and it was, but only after a four-minute flurry that highlighted two great quarterbacks.
Graziani wasn’t silenced completely and in one quick strike hit Hopkins for a 32-yard touchdown. The ensuing two-point conversion looked eerily similar to the game winner in Los Angeles in week two.
When only perfection would work, San Jose answered back with a flawless three-play drive that had Grieb hitting his favorite receivers, OS James Hundon and Roe: bang, bang, bang. Hundon happened to be on the receiving end of the eventual game winner, SaberCats 47 Los Angeles 43.
San Jose started the game with an awesome interception, where athletic talent by Thomas was evident for all to see. The game clincher was a highlight of knowledge and skill by the best player of all time. In the game’s last three-minutes and five seconds, the only pass caught in the endzone was by Barry Wagner. Unfortunately for the Avengers, their quarterback threw it. Lurking in the endzone, Wagner seemed to sense the play. As Graziani let loose, Wagner stepped in front of the receiver and took the ball, and the game, into his hands for his second interception of the fourth quarter.
But the Avengers weren’t done. LA stopped San Jose and forced a fourth and one for the SaberCats.
With 27 seconds left in the game and no Avengers time outs, San Jose needed one-yard to claim victory. The best rushing team in Arena Football didn’t need another touchdown to add to their record setting season, they needed only to move the ball three feet.
The roar of the crowd when Keanaaina hit the turf with Graziani in his arms to end the first half was loud.
When the big fullback landed this time it was deafening… First down. Game over. San Jose is number one for the second straight year.
The involved
 Arbet focuses on consistency and team play. Image courtesy of Ken LaRue |
“Our players and coaches are doing the work necessary in practice and motivating each other and they’re laying it on the line each game,” said Arbet. “It’s not going to get any easier from here but I’m going to enjoy this for now. Being the number one seed, you have to be happy about that.”
On the Ironamn effort of Wagner (two TDs and two Ints) Arbet was clear. “When playoff time comes, Wagner really steps it up,” said Arbet. “He’s had a great season but he came to play tonight and took it to another level.”
Though LA’s Hodgkiss wasn’t as happy as Arbet, his attitude was upbeat. “Our team played well and I wish we had come up with the big play at the end. I congratulate the SaberCats for getting it done,” said Hodgkiss. “Of course I’m disappointed but we’re in a good position going into the playoffs. We have a week off and are looking forward to the post season.”
When Avengers OL/DL Mike Ulufale last walked on the San Jose field it was in last year’s ArenaBowl as a SaberCat. His thoughts on this game and his new team were a mix of pride in LA and friendship for his old San Jose teammates. “They got it done; that’s what counts,” said Ulufale. “These are great guys on the SaberCats and I hope we get another shot to play them because it will be in the ArenaBowl. I’m on Los Angeles now and the fans and organization are fantastic. My teammates have proven they’re as good as any team in the league and it would be great to settle it between us and San Jose.”
Here we go
The second season starts this coming weekend. The top four seeds, San Jose, Orlando, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles deserve their spots.
In what has clearly been the most competitive season in years, there are still teams in the playoffs seeded below the top four who have already had victories over them. San Jose earned number one the hard way and felt the sour sting of defeat turn to sweet satisfaction by rising to the challenge.
Now it’s go time. Losers will go home and winners will go on with the start of the first round in the playoffs. In two weeks the top four will face the next four to decide the last four. The resulting semi-finals may or may not include the original four.
When the top two face off it will decide not only who will end the season as the champions but also who will lead the league into the future. A future where the stars come out and shine in an Arena Football game while little boys reach out to neighboring fans (of any jersey color) and seek out a high-five gesture of pure joy.
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.
