Chicago Delivery
Tim Ball
Monday February 27, 2006
"The Rush is going to win in overtime and it’s a very good game."
So shouted nine-year old Jason Freidrich at the top of his lungs, just as regulation came to a frenzied end on the calm leg of Chicago kicker Dan Frantz.
The only thing was; you could barely hear Jason as thousands as 13,000 "other" Chicago fans went nuts as the kick hit dead center in the soft net. Awaiting yet another nail-biter to decide Chicago’s fate seems rather standard for Rush fans as four of the last five games were finalized on the last play of the game.
Jason’s grandfather looked more like a kid than patriarch. Like Jason his eyes never left the field while talking about the Rush: "This team never gives up," said Jeff Manlick.
There’s nothing like it. Don’t let Jason fool you; he’s not the only Rush fanatic in this family."
With another game going down to the wire; Rush fans of all ages knew their job like a veteran.
"This is our job, right here right now," said middle-aged season-ticket holder Bruce Merevick "The job of the ninth man is . . . I GOTTA GO!"
Just as Merevick was about to give his overtime dissertation on the importance to the ninth man theory; Rush defender Jeremy Unertl intercepted the SaberCats quarterback Mark Grieb, to setup the winning touchdown in overtime and everything was about the game now. "Sorry man," said Merevick politely.
In just one-play both Jason, his grandfather, Merevick and throngs of Rush faithful had another game in the win column as quarterback Matt D’Orazio connected on a long pass to a streaking Cornelius White to seal the victory for the faithful fans and players alike as all went wild in unison.
Emotional win/loss
"You can see the importance of momentum," said OL/DL John Moyer. "The SaberCats were setting the pace for a lot of this game but once you make some plays and get the crowd into it, it keeps building."
San Jose was playing to their potential through the first half and into the third quarter but the Rush evened things out by games end in a style defining the first quarter of the season and now the start of the second quarter in what looks to be a season where Chicago could finally reach its goal.
"A win is obviously what’s important," said D’Orazio. "But there are wins that feel better than others. Winning against San Jose and the way we came back makes for a good feeling all around. But, there is still a long season ahead of us."
Fullback Bob McMillen had his own emotions to deal with. After setting the AFL’s
All-time record for most rushing yards, McMillen was tackled for a loss on a subsequent run-play postponing the (re) setting of the record for another day.
"My disappointment came and went in an instant," said McMillen. "Winning has a way of setting your priorities in order."
As McMillen was mobbed by autograph hounds as he went on: "This season the league has come of age where every team we face is talented and has players that can beat you on any given play. Setting a record is great but staying focused on winning is everything."
A jubilant special team’s coach Bruce Cowdrey knew a special win deserved praise. "You get on the guys all week in practice to do the small things as a matter of importance and focus," said Cowdrey, "and tonight once again that effort paid off."
Even adversaries can give credit where credit is deserved. Two-time ArenaBowl champion lineman Dan Loney knows what it takes. "They won this game today by playing good football and you can’t point to anything else," said Loney. "Chicago did the right things when needed and deserve to be commended."
If anyone knows the do or die of Arena Football it is San Jose’s superstar defensive specialist Clevan Thomas. As a two-time defensive player of the year and rookie of the year award recipient; Thomas was also professional in his opinion of the game. "They played well and stayed focused when they could have given up," said Thomas.
Thomas, who takes notice of crowd enthusiasm league-wide, gave his view of Chicago’s faithful. "This place never gave up on their team and that is always going to help a team stay in it. You have to give credit as well to fans that know how important home field advantage can be."
Rush head Coach Michael Hohensee summed it all up. "This is the players’ win tonight," said Hohensee. "This was a gut check game plain and simple. You beat a team the quality of San Jose and you have to do it by playing excellent football. We select the right players obviously and they got it done tonight."
Kickin’ it with the Rush
A football team is led, and players either follow those leaders or they do not win.
Kicker Dan Frantz may sum up Rush football to a tee. Brought in just three-weeks ago to fill-in for injured kicker Keith Gispert (groin pull); Frantz was called on and trusted by head coach Michael Hohensee when needed most.
With the game on the line and no time left; Frantz was brought in to save the game for overtime.
In what is turning out to be one of the most difficult of sporting endeavors, to kick in the AFL, Frantz came in and promptly and calmly sent the ball through the uprights to the thunderous roar of Rush fans awaiting their chances in overtime. Frantz, and Hohensee’s trust in him paid off. And all is well in Chicago land. For a week anyway.
Frantz was released by San Jose in the off-season due to a knee injury sustained during the ’05 season. The SaberCats went with another kicker and Frantz was left to rehabilitation and waiting. While teams filed their rosters Frantz ran out of time at the beginning of this season.
An ArenaBowl champion in 2004 with the SaberCats, Frantz is professional about it all. "I just wanted to return the trust the Rush put in me when the game was on the line," said Frantz. "Kickers to a man just want to train and when called on get the job done. It may be a bit more difficult in the AFL but there is nothing like being trusted when the game is on the line and it’s a part of every kicker’s life."
Frantz is due to step aside when Gispert returns to the Rush but wants to be a part of the league for a long time to come.
"I realize the business side of pro sports. It is frustrating but some things are out of my control. I listened to the rehab specialists and feel I have proven I am back to where I can get the job done. I thank coach Hohensee for having confidence in my ability, especially in that situation."
Rush fans, players and personnel can agree with Frantz with no problems. No matter where Frantz ends up, his autograph is on thousands of appreciative Rush fan paraphernalia forever. He can never not be part of Rush football.
"The Rush have an organization dedicated to winning as a team," continued Frantz, "you can see this carried over to the fans and the community. Chicago is successful for all of the right reasons."
Frantz has little trouble thinking about his past team and knows the side of the business that is never far from the surface. "The SaberCats have this commitment to excellence and you can see from their past successes and the professional organization the have in place that the troubles they are having at the moment will be turned around."
For the Rush faithful the only thing important in the overall picture is that Frantz means a winning record and of course business is business after all.
Looking up
At three and two and maintaining consistent play the Chicago Rush look to be a pick at seasons end to be in Las Vegas.
The fans and players are in concert as well and there are two more home games yet to be played before the Rush have to endure an enemy crowd.
Jason, and grand dad, McMillen, Moyer and the gang need to keep it together.
D’Orazio needs to do what he does and all will be right in the windy city.
And Hohensee and the Rush faithful have things in common and things to cheer about
The Rush has excellent players and they are getting it done.
Who can possibly wait until next Sunday?
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.
