The Fury enjoyed the Rush -- of a Win
Kevin A. De Ceuninck
Wednesday May 9, 2001
The sun was shining.
The temperature was mild.
Jill Arrington was in town.
After the team’s first-ever victory, Fury Coach Mouse Davis commented that everything is better after a win. “There is just something about that, the girls are prettier,” said Davis.
Maybe he was just looking forward to the national television debut, and a game against the fellow expansion Chicago Rush, and his interview with Jill Arrington.
Davis and his Fury walked off the Palace floor with a seesaw win against the Rush. Both teams struggled with the lead, and capitalized off of each other’s mistakes.
The similarities between the Rush and the Fury do not end at their expansion team titles. Both are among the most penalized teams in the AFL, and they did nothing to change that status in their battle. The teams combined for 15 penalties. From the Fury’s initial play from scrimmage, a 45-yard touchdown pass to Robert Gordon that was called back on a holding call, the game looked like it could be ugly.
The possession ended on the Fury 12 with Scott Semptimphelter’s first of three interceptions in the game. The Fury defense held the Rush to a field goal on the turn over. After the teams traded touchdowns, the ensuing Rush kickoff, hit the iron of the net, and was recovered for a Rush touchdown, and a 10-point lead.
“In Arena Football you are going to score points,” said Gordon. “And we know we can score on anybody. We are not just an expansion team getting ready for next year. We are for real.”
Davis echoed Gordon’s comments, “We enjoyed our rush. Our kids were getting after their front. Kelvin (Kinney) and (R-Kal) Truluk were getting up the field. Those kids are tough to block.”
The Fury sacked Rush Quarterback Jeff Loots four times and had several hurries and knockdowns. Kinney sealed the Fury victory with a sack for a safety on Loots with 10 seconds remaining.
The Rush battled all game, after seeing their 10-point first quarter lead turn into a third quarter 15-point deficit. A 21-yard Loots touchdown pass to Dameon Porter gave the Rush a 39-35 lead.
Well, at least Jill Arrington was here.
But the Fury offense kept firing -- ending their two final drives with Semptimphelter-to-Gordon touchdown passes. Unfortunately, two missed extra points kept the Rush within striking distance.
Fury Kicker, Fred Galecke, realizes he must improve. “It is very important to get into a groove, and relaxing and putting it through the uprights,” said Galecke. “I am a kickoff specialist that can kick field goals. But this is helping out my accuracy.”
Admittedly, Davis knows his team still has to improve. “We turned the ball over too much. Made some bad decisions, but we like the way Scott came back, and did it when we had to have it.”
Maybe Davis is right, a win does make everything better.
It was a beautiful day.
The Fury beat the rival Rush.
And Jill Arrington was in town.
Kevin A. De Ceuninck was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2001 season.
