Blaze Fans Coming Out in Droves, Leaving Early
Josh Fisher
Wednesday March 8, 2006
My biggest complaint came during last Saturday’s game with San Jose. The SaberCats scored a touchdown with 45 seconds left, putting them up by 15. That score was most definitely given to them by the Blaze defense on purpose. The name of the game is possessions, and allowing the SaberCats to score, gave the Blaze another possession. Although they didn’t get another score after that, they played it out perfectly just didn’t execute.
The best example of this came in the New York game at the end of the first half. Trailing 34-28 with 1:43 seconds remaining in the half, Utah went for and recovered an onside kick. They turned that into a 35-34 lead with 13 seconds left. That same on-side kick strategy was booed the week before when it didn’t work out. In the New York game, they then scored on back-to-back net recoveries, going into the half up 49-34.
Later in that game Utah allowed New York to score with 22 seconds left, giving them an opportunity to win the game on its final possession. Again they didn’t execute, but they did play it by the book. That same strategy worked two weeks back in the game against Los Angeles. Utah allowed the Avengers a late touchdown, only to take the next drive down field and score on the final play to earn the win.
I think it is great that so many people are getting out to see this amazing sport. The games are fun to watch, but they are different than the outdoor game. If you are going to a Blaze game expecting to see an outdoor game, then you are going for the wrong reasons. You need to expect the game to be played a little differently, and understand that the AFL how very little in common with the outdoor game. The most important part is that the game is not over until the final buzzer. I don’t care how many scores behind your team is, as long as there is time on the clock they have a chance.
Friday night the Blaze play host to the Nashville Kats. Nashville has put together a talented team, with some of the greatest players of all-time, including Cory Fleming, T.T. Toliver, and Darryl Hammond. They can score some points, but I challenge all fans to stay until the final buzzer. Then head for the field and get to know these great players that represent our team and our city.
Josh Fisher has been a fan of the AFL for as long as he can remember. He followed the Arizona Rattlers since they began playing. Josh works for the University of Utah
as their head statistician. He is also the media contact for Klub Boom
Volleyball Club and the head volleyball coach at Park City High School.
