Mental Mistakes Rule during ‘Wheeler Season Opener
Scott Reed
Sunday April 7, 2002
Even the QC opening kickoff, and every kickoff after that, was well short of the net providing decent returns.
But the most intriguing mental mistake off all was by head coach Rich Ingold of the Steamwheelers. Leading 39 – 34, with :44 left on the clock and control of the ball at their own 15 yard-line it seemed to be an easy decision. During the last minute of each half the clock will stop unless the ball has been advanced forward. Everyone in the stands expected a running play to keep the clock running.
Guess again sports fans.
An attempted bomb by QB Tony Zimmerman into the end-zone was intercepted by BC’s Val Morris at the goal-line and returned to near mid-field with eternity (in arena football terms) left on the clock.
What could have possibly led to that decision? Actually, many things. QC struggled to move the ball and, if it were not for many key Battle Wing penalties, would have never made 200 yards in total offense. The kicking game was poor at best from both teams, just worse for BC. Another score would most definitely put the game out of reach.
Eventually, the Steamwheeler defense recovered a fumble on the last play of the drive by the Battle Wings and secured the victory.
I was told the details of the last play because I was so disgusted at the result of the previous series I got up, walked up the stairs and headed to the restroom. I listened for the anticipated roar of the crowd to start the play and then silence due to a 3-yard TD plunge by BC.
It didn’t happen that way. The roar continued much longer than it would have taken to run the play keeping the QC unbeaten home winning streak alive. Maybe my leaving before the game ended was the biggest mistake of all!
Scott Reed was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2002.
