Command fall at San Jose
Sharon Soares
Thursday March 24, 2011
Who was going to come out on top, the Kansas City Command or San Jose SaberCats?
The point spread was 11.5 in favor of the SaberCats. Everyone assumed a blowout would occur and the Command would go 0-2. What was the Command to do?
They would fight, show their heart, and show the arena world that they were a team, ready to compete. The valiant effort by the Command players covered the point spread in a 60-57 loss and SaberCats fans left the arena stating they would see the Command in the playoffs.
Like in week one, the first quarter was their downfall. It seemed to take a few passes before quarterback JJ Raterink and the receivers got it right. Passes were overthrown; receivers were close, just not quite there. The Command started finding their groove again and were within a touchdown by half time. Receiving the ball after the half, Christian Wise ran the ball back for a touchdown and the extra point gave the Command a 35-34 lead, their first of the game. The Command showed they were here to be competitive and win, not just roll over and allow the ArenaBowl XXI champions to win.
Bradly Chavez played both defense and offense. He was a true Ironman this week; scoring three touchdowns, having the second most receiving yards at 123, and making two tackles and two assists. Chavez provided the statistics this week that backed up his heart from last week. It seemed like he was in every play, providing coverage for the defense or attempting and making receptions for the offense and special teams.
The Command had several players this week that excelled. Steven Savoy caught two touchdowns and pushed for additional yards with dual coverage on some of his carries. Bret Smith scored two touchdowns and has a game-high 12 receptions for 132 yards.
Carlton Brown led all defenders with three pass breakups and he also returned a kickoff, while Christian Wise returned the majority of kickoffs with 64 yards and a touchdown. Kenneth Fontenette made the most tackles at 8 with 2 assists. It seemed like everyone on the team played a part in this game.
What an awesome team Coach Danton Barto has put together. They showed their skills on the field, played with their heart, and excited the fans to the very end. A couple of minor tweaks in the game, first quarter coverage, a few less penalties made, and this game would have been the Command's to win.
Both teams scored touchdowns in the final minute and with the game tied at 57, San Jose kicker Juan Gamboa made an 18-yard field goal to give the SaberCats a 3-point lead with just two seconds left. A 50-yard field goal attempt by the Command's Mike Salerno as time expired was missed and the game was over. The Command lost 57-60.
What a game! It was a disappointing loss shown by the players as they left the field, but a better team showed up on the field than was anticipated by most. If each game continues to improve, the Command will be unstoppable.
This week is a bye week for the Command but the players are not all taking the week off. Some are posting on Facebook that they are getting good workouts in, others are repairing their injuries or sore muscles sustained in weeks one and two. The week off will be good for the players to review tape, consider what they have done, and prepare for the next 13 straight weeks of games. The Command will come back next week against the Spokane Shock and intending to shock the Shock. With an extra week off to prepare, it is only one more opportunity for the Command to succeed.
