Game Delayed by NHL Provides Unusual Entertainment
Tim Ball
Monday April 22, 2002
The SaberCats home opener was delayed from starting for an hour and fifteen minutes due to the San Jose Sharks NHL playoff game, which ran longer than expected. Field preparations forced players to forego a proper warm up, as there was no field to practice on. As soon as a patch of turf was secured, only kicker Daron Alcorn took proper time to practice. This was the difference in a game that saw both teams conservative and unwilling to go all out in the first half, for fear of injuries to players with little pregame warmup.
“The late start and the players sitting around the locker room for two and a half hours was unfortunate.” Said head coach Darren Arbet. “The mark of a good team is to play with adversity. We definitely came out slow but we kept pecking and pecking away at it. Guys kept their cool and didn’t make any excuses. Alcorn came through for us tonight. I feel he’s the best in the league for strength and accuracy.”
First half showcases coaching excellence
Arizona head coach Danny White and San Jose’s Arbet used conservative play calling to keep players from going all out too soon in the first half. The coaches called for short passes instead of the typical long-ball fest. A willingness to take it one first down at a time kept both teams from risking costly injuries to key players.
Arizona failed to score on its first possession, showing obvious signs of little pre-game practice. Quarterback Sherdrick Bonner threw incomplete on his first three passes and Arizona untypically went three and out, then kicker Chris Sailer missed a 43 yard field goal – short.
Second half momentum from unlikely source
SaberCats kicker Daron Alcorn’s pre-game preparation would make the difference in the end, as the final extra point sealed the 52-51 victory. “I have a pre-game ritual and routine I go through before each game. It’s important to get as much time in before the game as possible. I did as much as I could with the conditions I had to work with," said Alcorn.
Rookie Clevan Thomas
Fans looked on in stunned silence as San Jose attempted an onsides squib kick that died on the suspect turf nine yards from where Alcorn softly kicked it. Though no one attempted to challenge the massive Alcorn (6-3 256) for possession of the ball, the Rattlers took over on the SaberCats nine-yard line. With 1:28 left on the clock and first and goal for the victory, Arizona was in an unexpected driver`s seat.
What was totally unexpected was quarterback Sherdrick Bonner going for it all on the first play. Rookie DS Clevan Thomas intercepted the Arizona quarterback’s quick pass to the corner of the end zone. (Thomas has already proven to be exceptional as he set a SaberCats team record in the preseason by scoring on two interceptions in one game. Something no other SaberCat player has ever done). The resulting touchback gave San Jose the ball the game.
Game MVP Mark Grieb proved consistency and patience is a good combination. “It’s always tough playing the Rattlers. They are always going to be in the game. The delay hurt both teams from coming out big in the first half.” Said Grieb. “We got the turnovers tonight and played mistake-free for the most part. Both teams started peaking in the third quarter and I thought it was going to go down to the last possession, and it did.” Grieb finished 27 of 42 with 310 yards passing with no interceptions.
James Hundon caught the game-winning touchdown and is looking forward to playing offensive specialist this season. As a close friend of former SaberCats OS Steve Papin, he knows the game hinges around this position. “It was frustrating tonight in the first half. You want to come out and take control but it was tough with almost no warm up,” said Hundon. “We played well but we are capable of much more. I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish this season.” Hundon had 10 catches for 103 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The SaberCats pre-season goals stressed team unity and each player’s responsibility for victory. The first SaberCats player on the field was the one responsible for the final point that sealed this victory.
It was funny to watch Alcorn all alone and warming up amidst a sea of construction workers scrambling to set up the field. The scene was a memorable one. A man mountain named Daren Alcorn, going through his “pre-game ritual” with footballs bouncing between carpenters and carpet gluers.
The steady Alcorn would be responsible for the game-winning extra point. Thank goodness for pre-game warm ups.
Tim Ball is a writer in the Chicagoland area. Married and father of three, his opinions on Arena Football reflects the positive aspect of the game as a family event second to none in pro sports.
