When a loss says you are one step closer
Manny Nunez
Tuesday June 2, 2015
How would it feel if you went to work every day with not much expectations? You show up and put well over 100% to prepare for a big meeting or presentation, and yet every time there is always something that goes wrong? Your laptop suddenly dies, or you end up with food poisoning, or your car breaks down and you end up hours late.
Maybe this was a bad analogy, but week after week the LA KISS put on their pads just like the rest of the Arena Football teams and yet, there is always something that holds them back. This season, injuries have hurt the team at the worst possible level, losing players at nearly every position. The worst could be at quarterback, where they have had three different quarterbacks take snaps in their four game road trip. Losing Adrian MacPherson was one thing, but suffering another setback with Matt Baussener breaking his hand left them no choice but to start all over again.
Danny Southwick came to the KISS midway through their road trip, realizing he needed to create some magic immediately.
Against Jacksonville, things seemed to be like your typical KISS game. They trailed 21-0 within the first 13 minutes, and there seemed to be no answer to stop the bleeding. They even looked like a dysfunctional team, where at one point the KISS committed three straight illegal shift penalties which turned into a first and forever. Their drive did not end very well.
But Southwick was given a little rest when its defense forced a few stops. By then, Southwick was able to run out his offense, scoring on two drives in the second quarter. It was 28-14 at the break, but there seemed to be something brewing with the KISS team that has been itching for their first win in nearly a year.
Southwick showed his experience on the field for an Arena team that is craving talent in the second half. New addition J.T. Gilmore scored on a five-yard pass to close the gap. Later, Donovan Morgan took one in from further out. Little by little the KISS showed for the first time in a while, they were so close to finally becoming a more organized squad.
The fourth quarter became the dagger, where twice the KISS defense forced interceptions that allowed the team to take the lead. Twice they came empty handed. After back to back touchdowns and a stop in the final minute, Los Angeles had one more opportunity to get their first win, but a pick on the final play ended all hopes.
“Offensively I felt we had our spots,” Southwick said. “Making mistakes early did hurt, but with how this game turned out, we could have won by at least three or four touchdowns. Our core has fought, but it takes a second to take our continuity and we showed that we are getting there.”
“It is a shame that Southwick couldn’t close out the game, but our defense gave us a fighting chance,” head coach Bob McMillen said. “I like the way Danny fought all game, and even or defense stepping up when we needed them most.”
This loss hurts, but it is a much more different feeling than their last eight they have suffered through. McMillen wasn’t as upset or concerned as usual when he stepped into the press conference. Southwick and his defense gave the KISS a chance to finally get over the hump. The vibe was sound, and there was little dejection compared to the last two months the KISS have stepped onto the field. Adding experience in their bye week showed one of the important key components, revamping their secondary with Rayshaun Kizer and Antron Dillon, two players with multiple years of AFL experience on the defensive front.
“If you have a team full of veterans in this league, you know that team will play well,” Dillon said. “They know situations that rookies wouldn’t know. If you become like that big brother in this league, you can be that mentor in practice, on the field knowing that a 21-0 lead is by far not out of reach. Adding experience with talent definitely helps, and I am trying to show that this team can play well.”
Week after week it has bee the same old story. This time around, it is much different. They ended the game on a chance to taste glory. The KISS finished once again short handed, but now there seems to be an ounce of hope left. McPherson is set to come back soon, but the confidence level has risen a bit knowing that Southwick can also be a leader. The season is now half over, and while every team has at least one victory the KISS are now closer for their first, and most likely more to come.
“I can’t be more proud of a team than those guys in the locker room right now,” McMillen said. “We spotted them 21 points and found a way to come back. I am asking for my guys to never quit, and a lot of them showed that. If we can continue to put the effort I saw tonight there should be no reason to win more games than lose in the second half of the season.”
