Riptide Franchise Win First Game
Keith Antigiovanni
Monday April 15, 2002
The week before the Riptide had let a 27-3 lead over Bakersfield at home get away only to lose the game in overtime. This week San Diego scored early and often scoring on all seven of its first-half possessions to take a commanding 50-32 lead. "We executed and were able to spread the ball out a lot more this week. The guys were just ready to play," Morris added.
Fresno was unable to key in on offensive specialist Marty Graham or anyone else on the Riptide as eight different players scored touchdowns including fullbacks Melvin Blue and Jason Burk, receivers Mark Butler, Rico Curtis, Marty Graham, Scot Nicholson and Altie Parker. Quarterback Kane Claunch was the MVP of the game. He threw seven touchdown passes and scored on a touchdown run.
The Riptide`s poise was tested on the first play of the game when Fresno ran back the opening kickoff 55 yards to take an early lead. Suddenly the Riptide were down 7-0 on the road in front of 5200 loud and rowdy Fresno fans. "After they ran back the opening kickoff we didn`t get shaken. This is a game of big plays and that was just one play. I told the guys we can`t allow that to happen again and were able to settle down. Our guys just stayed focused and things seem to work out," Morris said.
San Diego`s defense also played a great game allowing only four touchdowns and a field goal in Fresno first 12 drives. In the first-half with the Riptide holding to a 27-24 lead the defense recorded the franchises` first ever-safety. The safety gave the Riptide possession of the ball which resulted in another touchdown to extend the lead to nine points and was part of a 23-0 run. The defenses` third quarter stops were also important as both teams went scoreless in each of its first three second-half possessions. The stalemate allowed the San Diego offense to get on track as the Riptide went for the jugular with three more touchdowns in the second-half. Fresno answered with three touchdowns of its own but the Riptide`s lead was too much to overcome.
This Saturday the Riptide return home to face the Tulsa Talons. "Tulsa is a very disciplined team and one of the best in the league. We`ll have to play at our best," Morris added.
Keith Antigiovanni is a free-lance writer in San Diego, California. He has worked for several local newspapers covering sports, government and business. Keith started writing in 1995 after graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Media Communications from the University of San Diego. Aside from working as a sportswriter he has a side business of providing marketing assistance/research for small businesses and also directs,produces and hosts a regular public access television show on Time-Warner Cable named "San Diego Yesterday". Antigiovanni is also a member of the San Diego Sportswriter Association.
