Mustangs Tame Fury, Keep Playoff Hopes Flickering
John Hoh
Sunday July 8, 2001
“Records are meant to be broken. I got this, but someone will get it later,” said Compton. “Just to be in that category with the greats, the [Barry] Wagners, the [Calvin] Shexnayder’s, is a great honor. But they all have a ring.”
“Kevin had a really decent game. My hats off to the line and to Kevin for getting the job done,” Frazier said with pride.
The Fury got on track after a slow start. Scott Semptimphelter matched McDougal with seven TD strikes (three to Chuck Levy, four to Robert Gordon) and one scoot into the end zone on the ground. The difference in the game turned out to be Remy Hamilton’s three field goals and a Mustang defensive safety.
Things weren’t looking promising for the Mustangs in the afternoon. Coach Frazier was informed by the medical staff that Kevin Huntley was still suffering from the effects of a concussion and would not play. The coaching staff had to scramble to revise the game plan.
But the game started ominous for the Fury. Starting at their own 6, they had a false start penalty to start the game. On the second play of the game, Semptimphelter was under pressure in the end zone. While he got the ball off, the officials ruled it an intentional grounding giving Milwaukee a quick 2-0 lead and the first time the Mustangs scored first in six Bradley Center games this season.
“[The defensive line] was bringing it,” said Frazier. “We were discombobulated in the secondary, but the front pressure made up for it.”
The Mustangs took quick advantage as they received the free kick and McDougal found Compton to extend the Milwaukee lead to 9-0. Detroit answered with a Semptimphelter to Gordon strike. But McDougal soon found Compton again to take the lead back out to 9. The ensuing kick was bobbled by Detroit and Sean Riley recovered at the Detroit one-yard line. From there McDougal snuck in to give Milwaukee a 23-7 lead at the end of one quarter.
Detroit didn’t roll over, though. This is ArenaBall and anything can happen, which kept those of us at the Bradley Center on pins and needles. Detroit matched Milwaukee almost score for score (21-20 on the quarter, Fury favor). Milwaukee went to the locker room at half time up, 43-28.
At one point it was noted Milwaukee was on pace to score 92 points. This writer was wondering if the Mustangs could join the Quad Cities Steamwheelers at the 100-point plateau. Alas, this higher level finds the competition more even. Milwaukee did well to match Detroit score for score and add the vital field goals.
One bad series for Milwaukee occurred right after Heron O’Neal intercepted a Semptimphelter pass and returned it to the Detroit 13. A Detroit penalty walked off half that distance to the goal line in favor of the Mustangs. Unfortunately, with a first and goal at the six, Milwaukee ended up on fourth and goal at their own 18-yard line where they settled for a Hamilton field goal. Coach Frazier chalked that up to confusion and players playing out of place after a quick turnover. The backwards march included three penalties of 25 yards and a 2-yard loss on a snap snafu.
Milwaukee fumbled the ball on their first possession of the second half. Detroit recovered at the Milwaukee three, but had it inside the two after a Milwaukee roughing the passer penalty. Semptimphelter then strolled into the end zone for the score.
Milwaukee, mathematically, still has a playoff hope. The players and Coach Frazier all said that one team will get into the playoffs at 5-9.
Compton: “5-9 can get us in.”
Coach Frazier: “5-9 will make it for a playoff spot. If we get the right tiebreaker, I believe we’d win on strength of schedule.”
McDougal: “We’re hitting the stride like we did last year.
When asked about his late entry to the Mustangs roster, McDougal confessed, “I wish I could have been here for minicamp.
“The team knows that we’re good,” he finished.
Milwaukee improved to 3-9 with their third win in four games. Detroit fell to 6-6. Milwaukee travels to Chicago to take on the Rush next week with playoff implications.
If the playoffs ended today: The Mustangs would be wallflowers. Are they out of it? I don’t have results of games involving New York, Chicago, or LA. Toronto has won. If New York, Chicago, or LA (all possessing five victories) win, then no 5-9 team will make the playoffs. The Mustangs have a chance—but they need help to get there. They did gain a tie with “Houston” at 3-9, but lost to “Houston” in Madison earlier this year. And they wouldn’t host any game in the playoffs, a goal Coach Frazier set for the team at the start of the season.
John L. Hoh, Jr., is a free-lance writer from Milwaukee who grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, as an avid Dolphins fan. He followed Arena Football since its inception, at one point watching tape-delayed games on low-powered WAV-TV in Waukesha. His happiest day was when Milwaukee was awarded the Mustangs franchise; his saddest when the Mustangs were contracted out of the league. John is married to his wife Maija (13+ years) and has a young son, Matthew. John pines for the return of the Arena Football League to Milwaukee.
