Indiana Honors Valvo, Fights for Playoff Life
Matthew Pickut
Saturday May 22, 2004
Penright’s run stands out not just because it should be shown to every young player who doesn’t realize why you should play hard until the whistle blows, but because it was a microcosm of the Firebirds’ entire season. When it looked like their 0-5 start stopped them in their tracks, they just kept moving forward. 0-5 became 5-5, 6-7 became 8-7, and the rest of the league is hanging on for dear life.
Penright’s run set up a drive that left the Firebirds with fourth and goal at the two-yard line. Indiana head coach Mike Wilpolt opted for the field goal in order to put his team ahead. In the end, the field goal salvaged a half stop that changed the rhythm of the game.
“We needed to score, we didn’t want to have it be touchdown, touchdown, touchdown,” said Wilpolt. “If the ball was on the one, maybe we go for it, but we were struggling inside the five with our running game so at the two we figured get the field goal, just let Clay make it. Who ever had the ball last was probably going to win.”
The Firebirds, who last week struggled on special teams, got a clutch performance from Rush. Rush hit all eight PATs and found the back of the slack net on kickoffs repeatedly.
“We told Clay all week we need some assistance on special teams and it starts with you, hitting the slack net and he did it,” Wilpolt said.
Rush knew how important this game was and was not going to allow a repeat of last week’s special teams breakdown.
“Its our Super Bowl; if we don’t win, we don’t go on,” said Rush.
Quarterback Adrian McPherson guided the team to nine scores on nine possessions with his trademark flare, often completing passes to receivers that appeared covered.
“He threaded the needle; they are dangerous throws,” said Wilpolt of his quarterback. “But we need to make him understand that isn’t always going to work.”
McPherson gives credit to his receivers, who he has come to trust over the season.
“I have some great receivers,” said McPherson. “We’re on the same page. They know when I roll one way that I want them to roll the other way because the whole defense is flowing one way.”
Colorado attempted to take away McPherson’s favorite target, OS Anthony Hines. To Hines, this sign of respect merely helps the team rather than hurting it.
“I feel as though I’m making an impact,” said Hines. “Teams come down and locking up on me – anything I can do to get someone else open I’ll do – I’ll settle myself so we can get the win.”
Hines’ play this year has given the Firebirds a receiver that opponents must game plan around, but Hines admits he needed to grow into the position.
“It was around the six or seventh game I felt like I had to step up and play the OS position,” said Hines. “I’ve done it before at a different level, so it was only a matter of time before the connection started to gel and the team started to gel.”
The play of McPherson and Hines impressed former Firebird great Eddie ‘Touchdown’ Brown, who was on hand to watch the Firebirds retire Mark Valvo’s number.
“Its always good to watch the Firebirds win,” said Brown. “This is the first game I’ve come to. I always watch at home, but this was a big step. I wanted to be here for a buddy of mine [Valvo]. I think he [McPherson] is a phenomenal quarterback. In a year or two he’ll be up in the top five QB’s in the arena league, as well as Anthony Hines—he’s going to be a phenomenal offensive specialist.”
Retirement seems to agree with Brown, who is using the extra time to take care of himself and his family.
“I’m enjoying life,” said Brown. “My body feels good. I spend more time with my daughter. I can run in the yard with her. I can do many things that I didn’t have time to do before. And the pressure of preparing to play I don’t have any more. That was how I got this gray.”
The retirement of Valvo’s number marks the first time the Firebirds have retired a player’s number in their three seasons in Indiana. As a fan-favorite, Valvo received a hero’s welcome despite being in Indiana a short time.
“I tell you I’m on cloud nine right now,” said Valvo. “It’s going to tough to come down. It was a dream ending; it was a complete joy to play. Especially at a game like this it showed a lot of class for the Firebirds organization to do it like that.”
As great a day as it was for the entire Firebirds’ organization, there is still a lot of work to be done. If they stop now they will have to settle for an 8-8 season, but if they keep playing as well as they are now, they stand a chance of making it into the playoffs. After a 0-5 start, the fact that they even have a chance is a testament to their hard work and dedication, but the whistle has not blown on this season yet and there is more work to be done.
Matthew Pickut is a pastor in northern Indiana and a long time AFL fan. He also writes for his own website: The Brown Paper Blog. He graduated from Taylor University in Upland Indiana (class of `96) with degrees in Biblical Literature and Sociology as well as a healthy respect for the medicinal properties of coffee.
