Phantoms Exorcise Florida Demons
Jim Parcels
Tuesday April 23, 2002
After watching the Toronto Phantoms’ dominate the Storm, an exorcism of sorts was conducted with a 51-37 win over the four-time AFL Champions.
For the second-year Phantoms, their win in Tampa erased a nightmarish tour of the Sunshine State last year that saw the club go 0 for 3 versus the Predators, Storm and Bobcats.
With a team that many feel could challenge for a berth in ArenaBowl XVI, the Phantoms walked into the Ice Palace and added more gray hair to Tim Marcum’s noggin by controlling the game for a 14-point victory.
QB Chad Salisbury jumped out of the gate completing each of his first ten passes to lead Toronto a 34-21 halftime lead – a margin they would hold until the final buzzer.
Salisbury, a third-year product of Buffalo State, asserted himself as the starter by directing the Phantoms on five straight touchdown drives to start the game. A sixth drive was ended as time elapsed in the first half.
Salisbury finished the night 24 of 33 for 279 yards and four majors while distributing the ball liberally between Charlie Davidson (6 receptions), Ty Law (5), Luke Leverson (5) and Damiel Harrell (4).
The second half saw the Storm tighten up considerably from their first half by forcing two Phantoms turnovers that actually gave them a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.
The first was a fumble by Law that was caused by Storm WR/LB Lawrence Samuels midway through the fourth quarter and the other was a fumble by rookie FB/LB Phil Glover on the goal line as he was about to expand the Toronto lead.
Late in the game, after a Matt George missed field goal attempt, sophomore TE/DE Steve Konopka hammered Storm QB John Kaleo in the end zone, forcing a fumble recovery for a TD by G/DE Jason Walters sealing the victory.
With the victory the Phantoms now take on Mouse Davis and the Detroit Fury on Thursday night at the ACC. Game time is 7:30 pm.
Tales from the Crypt:
After watching him in practice, pre-season and in the opener, OL/DL Steve Konopka the more I believe he is going to be a star in this league… The Phantoms line was outstanding in the contest, not allowing any sacks or QB hurries on offense and recording two sacks and three tackles for losses on defense… A running game is gradually appearing to become part of the Phantoms offense. Stoute called 14 running plays in Tampa. Last year the club averaged just over 7 rushing plays per game… C/NT Doug Lytle suffered a mild concussion late in the game… WR/LB Kerry Brown and G/DE Connell Spain are the only regulars who are on IR. No word on their status for Thursday’s game vs. Detroit… The Fury come to town with several ex-CFL stars and Toronto Argonauts on the roster. Along with Head Coach Mouse Davis who was the Argos offensive coordinator in the early 1980’s, the team has no less than 10 former CFL players. Among the former Argos are QB Rickey Foggie, WR/DB Chuck Levy, WR/DB Ty Grovesteen and OL/DL Kelvin Kinney… You’ve got to feel good for Phantoms DS Tommy Henry after Saturday’s win in Tampa. After the way in which he was dealt out of town by Tim Marcum last fall it appears Henry will let the score do the talking… Why is it that some Toronto media members refuse to accept the fact that the NLL Lacrosse Champion Rock and the Phantoms are legitimate sports in this city? Every time the two clubs draw a great crowd, several media members seem to downplay the fact that an affordable family atmosphere is actually available at the ACC. Apparently the blue-collar crowd doesn’t count when it comes to selling newspapers and airtime.
Jim Parcels was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2002 season.
