Dallas Sends Oklahoma Back To The Kennel
David Smithey
Sunday May 2, 2010
It has been hard for me to believe that the arena football season has already kicked off this year. I realize the season started weeks ago but for some Dallas Vigilantes fans, such as myself, it hasn’t quite registered yet. There have been two bye weeks already and another two games on the road. Video streaming of the games on the internet just hasn’t really cut it for me. However, finally, Friday night the time came where the images on the screen became a tangible reality for Dallas fans. The Vigilantes even held a Pack the House promotion to celebrate the home debut and it was just what we expected. The pregame music, tailgating parties, spotlights, and smoke were exciting but not as captivating as the game that soon followed.
Even though Dallas was coming off their second bye week, I feared that the Vigilantes might not be ready to move past the petty mistakes and injuries that have cost them the last couple of games this season. Drafts had a decent game against Tampa Bay but I was not quite sure whether he could actually step into Stafford’s shoes and become the leader the team needed to get things turned around. Doubts quickly left my mind as I watched Dallas dominate the Oklahoma Yard Dawgz.
Friday night, Drafts established himself as a quarterback that is more than capable of taking things over. His passes seemed to be a little more accurate, throwing four touchdowns and no interceptions this week. He even displayed his skills by creating a rushing touchdown of his own. Lee and Brackins also continued to show how devastating the Vigilantes’ passing game can be by each scoring two touchdowns.
While the offense was a force to be reckoned with, Dallas’s defense dominated the first half of the football game. It is rare that a team is held scoreless in the first quarter of an arena football game, but that is just what happened. Going into the second quarter, the Vigilantes were disciplining the Yard Dawgz 20-0. Chris Brown intercepted the ball with seconds left in the first half, taking it back for a Vigilante’s touchdown. Dallas’s defense continued to create opportunities throughout the game with four sacks and a forced fumble.
The early season mistakes finally managed to dwindle a little bit. Dallas managed to control the passing game better and was able to limit turnovers. However, they still showed that they have to continue improvements in this area. Lee and White had fumbles resulting in loss of possessions. Dallas also had to overcome twelve penalties for a loss of 85 yards. The Vigilantes still had a hard time being consistent as well. In the second quarter, Dallas’s offense and defense came to a screeching halt. Oklahoma scored an unanswered 21 points in the first ten minutes. Following the Yard Dawgz first lead of the game, Josh White’s fumble gave the Vigilantes even more of a deficit to overcome. Drafts told a Dallas Morning News reporter, "You feel good, up 20-0, and then you have to play to turn it around. That was the biggest point swing I've ever been a part of.” Dallas will need to continue to work on these issues if they intend on going to the post season this year.
While the beginning of the second quarter was not ideal for Dallas, it did show what they are capable of. The Vigilantes overcame the sudden momentum change and errors that initially put them in that position. They have been unable to shake off mistakes up to this point in the season, but Friday Dallas showed that they are finally capable of being a mature team. The team was able to rely on Drafts, as well as a number of other key players, to rally the Vigilantes to a 55-34 victory. I can hardly wait until Dallas is able to synchronize all aspects of its team during the game. The Vigilantes will need to carry over the confidence that they gained this week as they face the Orlando Predators next Friday in Dallas. It should be a difficult game but Dallas has the ability to show the rest of the Arena Football League that they are not an opponent to be overlooked.
