Kansas City Command scores late, upsets Cleveland 50-41

Thomas Campbell
Tuesday June 21, 2011

It has been five games since the Kansas City Command scored at least 50 points.  Three were losses.  Saturday night, at the Sprint Center, newly promoted quarterback Stephen Wasil led the Command back to the 50 point plateau.  The result was an exciting 50-41 victory over the visiting Cleveland Gladiators. 

The Command got the ball first and Wasil had his team in the end zone in less than four minutes.   The opening drive included five Wasil completions and a six yard rush by Trey Bryant.  Bradley Chavez'  third catch of the drive ( for six yards) was in the end zone at the 11:26 mark and  the crowd of 3,938 began to relax.  Cleveland's Kurt Rocco came right back with a scoring pass of his own (Dominick Goodman, six yards) to tie the game at the 7:16 point.   Wasil went back to work with two completions and a Tod Devoe rush to put Kansas City on top 13-7.   Wasil finally missed a receiver early in quarter two, however, the completion trend continued throughout the game, with only four incompletes for the day.  And two of those were drops.
 
Wasil's final line for the day was 19-of-23 for 243 yards with five touchdowns, no interceptions, but two sacks.  On both sacks Wasil's reluctance to put the ball up for grabs was noteworthy.  Both times he was tempted to force a play but just took the loss of yardage and regrouped on the next snap.  Wasil also ran for two scores.  His game management showed maturity and leadership.   Bradley Chavez (offensive player of the game) was a favorite target with eight catches for 81 yards and three scores.    Kansas City lost one turnover and had six penalties for 84 yards - both improvements over previous efforts.  Ken Fontenette (six tackles) and Sergio Gilliam (four tackles) led the defense.   The Command also rushed 19 times for a valuable 64 yards.

For the Gladiators, Kurt Rocco went 20-of-38 for 258 yards, four touchdownss, one interception, with no sacks.  The visitors only had one turnover but surrendered 80 yards of field position on 13 penalties.   They only converted 3-of-9 third down attempts and were 2-of-4 on fourth downs.  Wide receiver Dominick Goodman was Rocco's favorite target, collecting eight catches for 96 yards and two scores.  Many of Rocco's passes were well overthrown, especially in their fourth quarter comeback attempt.  Cleveland has now lost their last five road games.   This loss dropped them into a tie (Pittsburgh) for the Eastern Division lead.

Other standout efforts from the Command included a blocked field goal by Brandon Jenkins to end the first half and the Sergio Gilliam interception (12 yard return) on Cleveland's first possession of the second half.   Offensive lineman Rich Ranglin showed much heart and intensity but also committed two costly penalties.

As the game progressed the crowd contributed as much noise and excitement as could be expected from 3,938 fans.  When Cleveland put up points, the Command responded in kind.  The teams traded second half touchdowns until the one minute warning.  Then, with the Command leading 47-41and 43 seconds remaining,  Brian Umstead's 23-yard field goal  gave the home team a two score lead and secured the day.

This was Stephen Wasil's first start for the Command and his parents were in the stands, visiting from Michigan.   Whether Pop Warner or the big time, players like to play well in front of their parents.  Wasil did, and secured his first win as an AFL starter.  In a nice Father's Day touch he gave the game ball to his dad.  After the game, head coach Danton Barto seemed pleased with his new starter.   The coaches post game comments included "he played as well as you could possibly think he could" and "he sparked us ... and we couldn't be happier."

Arizona has clinched one of the four National Conference playoff spots.  Chicago and Dallas are in good position to secure two of the other three spots.   This leaves Tulsa, Utah and Spokane, all currently 6-7 and one game ahead of Kansas City and San Jose, in position to decide that final spot.  It is quite possible that one team will make the playoffs with a 9-9 record, maybe 8-10 depending on tie breakers, etc.  If the Command (now 5-9) can win three of their remaining four (the Week 19 visit by Jacksonville looks tough) they have an outside chance.  Especially with Utah and Tulsa still on the schedule.

Next Friday night the Command visit the Utah Blaze for their second appearance on the NFL Network stage.   Utah, while only 6-7 overall, is 5-2 at home.  Coach Danton Barto knows it will require a maximum effort.    In Kansas City's previous national TV game (Week 7) the Command went into Chicago and surprised the Rush with a 58-51 victory.   

No matter how you "crunch the numbers" Barto and team must realize that only W's are acceptable now.