ArenaBowl XVIII Adventure, Part II
Guest Writer
Thursday July 8, 2004
Part 2 of 3
Sunday, June 27
I woke up at 8:00 a.m. A long day before me has passed, and now I`m just five hours away from the ArenaBowl. I head down to the lobby for my free complimentary breakfast of pastry, fruit, and yogurt. I worked it out with Fran to store my bag in his room for the day so all I had was my Pittsburgh Pirates jacket I won a month or so ago for money and I.D. I join the group of major ArenaFans to go to Focaccia Fiorentina down the street.
We arrive, and the numbers were impressive. We had, at most, about 50 people there, almost all from the ArenaFan message boards. We socialized and realized who these people were that we talk to so often online. I met Mazion#2, Soazdave, aflbandwagon, another Avengers fan, Brian Fox, several Rattlers fans and SaberCats fans.
Focaccia Fiorentina was great. Opening just for us on a Sunday morning for our meet-n-greet. If I`m ever in Phoenix again for a game, I plan on stopping there before or after the game, it`s well worth it; two egg and potato burritos with a side of potatoes and a drink for under $5.
Finally, the head of ArenaFan, Joe Kauffman (known as nolesrule) and Andrew from Colorado (who I met last year) arrived. My attendance was surprising to a lot, somewhat intentional on my part. I did have the honor of picking the winner of the ArenaFan Pick`em contest via a hat drawing. So, I felt welcomed.
I walked with Fran, Soazdave, and natedawg330 to the arena. I bought a bottle of water outside and finally entered the lobby to claim my ticket at the willcall window. Finally, it was in my hands; my second ArenaBowl ticket, and certainly not my last.
After milling around the lobby, the escalators opened and the rush was on to the seats. Being in the upper deck did have a drawback, but it was still a great view of the game. It`s just a shame America West Arena has to be cursed with obstructed view seats. Because those with a full view of the field are great seats, no matter how far from the field.
I got to my section, and climbed the steps to Row 11 and took my seat. Not exactly the location I had in mind when I originally planned to go to the ArenaBowl, but, certainly better than front-and-center in the recliner at home.
ARENABOWL XVIII
Finally, the moment I`ve been waiting for since early February. The fruition of four months of Arena Football. It was time for the biggest game on Earth for me. San Jose vs. Arizona. SaberCats vs. Rattlers. The next best rivalry to the War on I-4. It was time for the game to start.
Much can be said about the game. Most have probably documented it already. Statistics, recaps, and commentaries. Most of which, I will not bore you with again as you can read much better articles that deal strictly with the game. However, this was the best ArenaBowl that I`ve seen. And, if not the best, easily in the top three.
First, it was the highest scoring ArenaBowl ever. The previous record was 107. This game eclipsed it by three touchdowns. The old record for most points was that of my team, the Grand Rapids Rampage, with 64. Now, San Jose holds the record with 69. The other major point I have with regard to the game was that there were no turnovers. Only two fumbles both recovered by the team in possession.
Read part 3 of 3 tomorrow
