Wranglers Stop Predators When it Counted
Christopher M. Duchene
Saturday February 14, 2004
It was not pretty, and, at times throughout the game, the Predators even looked as if they would be too much for the Wranglers on this night. But Skip Foster’s Wranglers would not go away and stayed around just long enough to get back into the game, send it into overtime, and, on the final play of overtime, make a key defensive stop to get the win. The game displayed two explosive offenses, and, to many viewers, the game seemed as if it would be decided by one or two mistakes by the opposing team.
In the first quarter, the Wranglers seemed to let first game nerves get the best of them. Orlando took a 14-0 lead to start the game until Wranglers quarterback John Kaleo connected with Charlie Davidson on a key fourth down play to get the Wranglers their first touchdown in team history. The first half went back and forth with each team’s offense scoring touchdowns and the Predators took a 28-21 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was every bit the same as the first half, with each team’s offense connecting on touchdown after touchdown. Late in the third quarter, down 35-28, Kaleo connected with Charlie Davidson to tie the game at 35-35 and give Davidson his second touchdown of the night. After the score, Davidson looked as if he had a second job as a world-class gymnast performing a back-handspring flip for the fans in attendance.
Late in the fourth quarter, Orlando missed a field goal, which would have given them the lead. Instead, Wrangler kicker Tony Dodson had a chance to win the game for the Wranglers with his foot with only 3 seconds left in regulation. Unfortunately, the field goal attempt was wide, and the two teams were forced into overtime.
In overtime, Austin got on the board first and took their first lead of the game with a touchdown pass from Kaleo to receiver Darryl Hammond. The lead would not last long though, as Orlando came back with a touchdown of their own. Instead of playing for a sudden death situation, Predators coach Jay Gruden went for the win and attempted a two-point conversion. Orlando quarterback Joe Hamilton optioned right, dove for the end zone, and on a questionable call by the referee, he was stopped short as the referee said he hit the wall before crossing the goal line, giving the Wranglers the win.
After the game, defensive specialist Cedric Walker told the fans in Austin, “were coming home with a win, Austin. With you’re support we’ll get you fans more victories.”
The Wranglers victory did not look pretty. You can question just how good this Wrangler defense is going to be, whether or not this offense will continuously get in the end zone, and how the team will perform throughout the season. The one thing you cannot question is whether or not this team has heart. Friday night they proved they have tons of heart. Austin, get ready, or more importantly, opponents, get ready because this team is going after victories. If they perform the way they did against Orlando, there might just be a few more surprises in store for Wranglerx fans this season.
Christopher Duchene is from El Paso, Tx. He currently lives in Austin, Tx and is a Freshman at Austin Community College majoring in Sports Management. After college he hopes to attend law school where he will study sports law hoping one day to become a successful sports agent.
