Command winless no more
Sharon Soares
Monday April 11, 2011
What a win! After beginning the season with three losses and a bye week, coming home to the Sprint Center for the first home game proved to be the change in the right direction that the Kansas City Command needed. A very hungry Command went out on the field against a 2-1 Iowa Barnstormers team and brought home their first victory with a final score of 62-48. Some expected the game to be a blow-out since Iowa was known to be a good team. Others were just happy to have a game at home, no matter the outcome.
Excitement filled the air, tempers ran quick, and a rivalry was born between the Command and the Barnstormers. Barnstormers fans traveled well and cheered on their team. Veteran receivers Jesse Schmidt and Errick Mccown (E-speed) were the players to stop for the Barnstormer team. Quarterback Brad Banks seemed to let the pressure get to him with four interceptions, 3 coming from the Command's defensive player of the game Sergio Gilliam. Gilliam had his best game to date against Iowa.
The Command had their own share of interceptions. Quarterback J.J. Raterink had three interceptions for the night after throwing only two in the previous three games. In an interview Thursday with the Kansas City Star, Raterink's record was mentioned “through three games, Raterink has completed 86 of 137 passes for 1,008 yards with 17 touchdowns and two interceptions.” His response, “Those individual stats are nice, any guy who says none of that stuff matters isn't being honest, but I'd trade anything like that for some wins.” This comment came true with the three interceptions Raterink received at this game also came the Command's first win.
Despite a fumble in the endzone, the dreaded penalties for offsides in the fourth quarter, and playing a team that had beaten previous opponents of the team, the Command came up with their first win. It was a win that meant a lot to the team and to the fans. An at home win can boost the 5438 attendance from this week into the 7000 hopefully for next game. Give-aways of black tee-shirts, about five or more balls going into the stands for the fans to keep, and thanks to the players that have the heart to not quit, the game was a success and fans left the arena wanting more.
