Fireworks Aplenty For KISS Home Opening Victory

Manny Nunez
Sunday April 6, 2014

Pyrotechnic lights all around the stadium for the pregame ceremonies. Steel Panther performing 45 minutes before the kick and at halftime. Fireworks and shooting flames to introduce the players. Even dancers that hover over the goalposts the entire game. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley introducing themselves. And that doesn't even come close to what a show the Los Angeles KISS put on to start the game. It was an experience that every KISS player had never been through, and it certainly does help that you win your inaugural home opener 44-34 over the Portland Thunder.

“The experience was definitely surreal,” KISS quarterback J.J. Raterink said. “It is the only word that I can really come up with. From the band to the raised catwalk and being left out from released down. There was a lot going on, but the thing that was most impressive was that we all enjoyed everything once the game started. We were able to put that all aside and get things going from the get go.”

Of course, drama had to ensue in the beginning, where a 4th and 20 led to a first down catch to Donovan Morgan. Three plays later, a crowd of 12,045 stood up for Donovan Morgan's five-yard touchdown. Professional football was back in Los Angeles.

“Being out there in that atmosphere, it was great,” Morgan said. “We loved the crowd, and even better that they had football knowledge. They were loud for us on defense, and feeding off from them really did help.”

Fans from all around were here for more than just a football game. Most were amazed by the silver field, footballs flying into the stands for souvenirs, and a chance to see their favorite performers not just once, but twice. For at least $15, fans were treated to something no other professional sports franchise would ever fathom. Many joined in wanting to imitate their fellow icons with face paint and unique outerwear. All around the stadium cheering and excitement roared around for every big hit, incredible catch, and endless entertainment all around the Honda Center.

Some fans had an idea of what to expect when it came to the indoor game. A lot of former Los Angeles Avengers fans immediately jumped at the chance at season tickets and expected nothing less than the same kind of product but a much newer attitude.

“I was thrilled that arena football came back to SoCal,” former Avengers and new KISS fan Chris Cognaz said. “There was a huge gap in football and this sport makes it fun and affordable. As far as the entertainment value, this is great. $99 for season tickets, it is so much cheaper than going to a movie and in LA, it does mean something.”

Other fans who made their first ever trip to watch the arena league simply saw the brand name and could not let an opportunity slip away.

“It is all about KISS,” new fan Jody said. “There is just so much energy and excitement and with KISS sponsoring, it is so cool that they are doing something like this for us.”

The KISS had their work cut out for them taking on the other expansion team that has yet to top 40 points this season, as well as a quarterback duo [Darron Thomas and Danny Southwick] getting used to the new environment. Nathan Enderle sat out, allowing newcomer Southwick to take the majority of the passes. Southwick had a rather solid game, going 21-for-29 with 270 yards and four touchdowns. Portland though, had never led in the game.

Things started off well for the KISS, as Raterink was in the groove early. After an interception return for a touchdown scored by Romeo Pellum, a much more balanced attack by the Thunder propelled them to come back. The offensive line gave Raterink problems in the first half being sacked twice, but its balanced attack managed to give the team a 21-13 lead into halftime.

In the third, both teams traded touchdowns, but with a missed extra point by Kenny Spencer, Portland had a chance to tie the game to close out the period. Ending up at the KISS 7, a penalty followed by four straight sacks, three by Beau Bell, set the tone and the momentum for the remainder of the game.

“Once I got that one sack, it was like smelling blood being sharks in the water,” Bell said. “I just couldn't stop. I know that our offense will always feed off of something big like that. When everyone does their job things work. That's what football is all about.”

On the ensuing possession, the KISS reached Portland's 1 yard line, allowing Raterink to rush it over the goal line putting them ahead 34-20 to start the fourth quarter. The Thunder managed to cut the gap to three midway through the fourth, but a late touchdown and a game ending interception by Andre Jones sealed the victory.

Raterink overall was on and off with a 21-for-35 and four touchdown stat line. Morgan was his prime target making all four touchdown catches and ended with nearly 170 receiving yards.

With all the good happening throughout the game and the fans leaving happy, the mood will definitely change as the Cleveland Gladiators come to town next week. A 3-0 team that has won mainly close games, head coach Bob McMillen will look to adjust immediately with practice resuming on Monday.

“With the athletes that we have on the team, we have to excel in every phase of the game,” McMillen said. “We are a young expansion team with solid players, but we have to clean up a lot of mess with overthrown passes, not protecting the quarterback, and phasing our focus better. We play a tough Cleveland team next week so we still have a lot of work to do.”