Phantoms Focus on the Fans and Walk Away with a Win
Alexis Zgud
Wednesday April 4, 2001
A live rock band, Stig and the Sweater Puppets, entertained before the game with to-the-note covers of recognizable rock songs, as the lead guitarist wandered through the stands, playing his guitar right into the crowd.
The crowd bowed their heads for the singing of the "Star-Spangled Banner" and "O` Canada", but the silence soon shifted to whoops and yells as the game started.
With footballs flying through the stands (six total, including QB Pat O`Hara`s first pass), fireworks shooting sparks up into the sky, and beautiful (and almost bare) Phantasy girls dancing at the sidelines, the crowd of 9,397 was entertained Phantoms-style to make their first Canadian Arena Football game something to remember.
"It was pretty intense and high scoring,” said fan Nick Burns as he was exiting the arena. “It was fun to watch because of the scoring. I had pretty high expectations, and it met them.”
Damien Harrell quickly got the scoring underway when he caught a 25-yard pass by O`Hara at 12:22 of the 1st quarter. Waves of touchdowns, most of them from Toronto, followed Harrell’s.
In the second quarter, the Dragons tried to even the score with a touchdown by Geoff Turner on a pass from QB Aaron Garcia. But the Phantoms wouldn`t have it, and put a death sentence on the Dragons push when Ty Law, Damien Harrell, and Kerry Brown scored three consecutive TDs. At :36, DS Samuel Elmore of the Phantoms was ejected from the game for slugging a Dragons player, which led to a 10-yard penalty against the Phantoms.
At half-time, the Phantoms treated their fans to a laser-light show, more rock music, fireworks, and Phantasy Girls.
Excitement surged through the crowd as Mario Smith scored on a 33-yard interception return at 7:27 of the third. But WR/DB Phil Taylor`s touchdown on a 46-yard pass from QB Chad Salisbury put the nail in the coffin for the Dragons.
After the game, Phans were treated to a 30-minute autograph session by Phantoms players and Phantasy Girls.
Phan Tia Simpson loved her first arena football experience. "It was good. It was a fast-moving game with a lot of points," Smith said. "The guys [on the field] were fine as hell!"
"Make that capital F-I-N-E." Smith`s friend called after her.
Phantom player Taylor said he though his first home game went well.
"I`m just happy I was able to make some plays and I thank God. I may have been the lone rookie on offence, but the veterans kept me up," said Taylor.
NT John Summerday agreed with Taylor and said the win was a boost of confidence for the team`s first home game. "It was a good turnaround from last week. The fans have been great. The city`s been great. I`m glad I came up."
Alexis Zgud was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2001 season.
