Debut Inauspicious, but Sharks Have a Bright Future
Joshua Espitia
Thursday April 12, 2007
It was April 7 in Corpus Christi, Texas and the thermometer read forty degrees. A fine mist fell, a stiff wind blew, and it chilled to the bone. The conditions were unusual for spring in South Texas, but it was perfect football weather. It's almost a shame that the place to be was indoors.
But sheltered within the walls of the American Bank Center is where the action was. A comfortable 72 degrees and dry turf are where the Corpus Christi Sharks fought their inaugural battle against the Rio Grande Valley Dorados. Grass stains would not be ground into the uniforms of the players, nor would any mud fly, but the game would be no less intense.
The crowd started filing in an hour and a half before the official start time. Anticipation was high among the fans. Even the pregame warm-ups, from receivers’ drills to practice field goals, brought cheers from those on hand. They were ready to witness the beginning of a new era, the promise of a new season, a new franchise, and glimpse a future of championships.
As is customary, introduction of the opponents drew boos from most of the crowd. A few Dorados’ fans managed to slip into the arena and show support for their team, but they were mostly ignored by the Sharks' new fan base. A few minutes later, the eruption of applause from that fan base drowned out any bit of noise the Dorados’ could manage. The Corpus Christi Sharks had just been introduced. Those on hand were ready for football.
With the coin toss the excitement grew even more. Joe Avezzano, owner of the team and a Dallas Cowboys' fan favorite since his days as special teams coach, was in attendance for the ceremonial coin toss, and his presence alone revved up emotions. Sharks' and Dorados' fans alike were cheering at the top of their lungs when Avezzano stepped onto the field. The Sharks won the toss and it looked like an auspicious beginning. That would be short lived.
Four plays after receiving the opening kickoff, Sharks quarterback Chris Harrington fumbled the ball inside the five-yard line, and the Dorados recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. Just like that, all of the energy that had coursed through the stands dissipated, sucked into the void generated by poor play. Corpus Christi fans would soon find another reason to cheer.
The Dorados missed the extra point, leaving a glimmer of hope for the Sharks. One play after a short kickoff return, the glimmer turned into an all out glare. Chris Harrington dropped back and, in an act of redemption, tossed a 43-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ivory McCann. For one brief moment it looked like an old fashioned shoot out would greet the fans in Corpus Christi.
The next two possessions were similar, with the Dorados scoring and missing the extra point and the Sharks answering back with a touchdown of their own and making the point after. The Sharks led 14 to 12 after the exchange, but it was the last lead they would hold all night.
Mental mistakes, poor physical play, and a whole lot of inexperience (only quarterback Chris Harrington has any arena-style experience) contributed to a 47-to-nothing run by the Dorados. There were times it appeared that Corpus Christi would have rather been somewhere else. They were slow off the ball, Harrington threw passes to non-existent receivers and fumbled the ball five times (he would be replaced by backup John De Los Santos), the offensive line was overmatched, and defenders were routinely beaten down field and flattened on the line. To be blunt it was, at times, ugly. It wasn’t all bad, though.
Corpus Christi never gave up. Their play showed a lot of guts. They fought even when winning was impossible. And they have at least one future star at wide receiver in Ivory McCann. His speed on opening night was phenomenal. He has an ability to call on extra bursts when need be, accelerating away from defenders deep down field. If the line can protect Corpus Christi’s quarterback, touchdown passes to McCann will come fast and often. Pair him with Brandon Hussey, a tough receiver who gave his all anytime the ball came near him, and the Sharks have a receiving corps with talent, heart, and unlimited potential. If they can build on that strength, the shellacking at the hands of the Dorados may prove to be one time occurrence.
The Sharks have one more attribute that might give them an edge, at least at home. The fans, although the Sharks had never played a game, went all out to support their team, their shining new franchise, in the quest for victory. They urged the players on with the vigor of die-hard Cowboys fans. And though the arena was not full, they shook the rafters like a capacity crowd when they cheered. Even down 49 points, they did not leave. Foolish as it may have been, they held out hope until the end. And when it did end, many stayed to meet the players, shake their hands, and welcome them to Corpus Christi.
On a perfect night for football, nothing could dampen the spirits of those in attendance. A little thing like a 66-28 final score in favor of the Rio Grande Valley Dorados was nothing to be down about, at least not for the new batch of Corpus Christi Sharks fans. Seeing the Sharks on the field was enough to get them loud in the American Bank Center. A win may see them tear the roof off the joint.
If the Sharks take the lessons learned in their opener to heart, the American Bank Center management would be wise to put a roofer on speed dial.
