Phantoms Learn Lesson in Arizona
Jim Parcels
Sunday May 5, 2002
Although the Arizona Rattlers didn’t quite take the younger Toronto Phantoms out behind the woodshed last night, it was a lesson well learned in a 58-47 loss to Danny White’s crew.
 Damian Harrell and the Phantoms didn`t like the outcome of Saturday`s game in Arizona Image courtesy of |
In his worst outing as a pro, Phantom QB Chad Salisbury turned over the ball four times (3 interceptions and a fumble) to the Rattlers.
The problems started early for Toronto as they coughed up the ball on the game’s first drive when Rattlers DS Jerrick Bledsoe picked off his first of three passes on the evening. It set up a Randy Gatewood major just 4:57 into the contest.
Then, on the ensuing drive, Salisbury fumbled the ball after being sacked for the first time since last summer. Rattlers DE Sebastian Barrie recovered and setup a Maurice Bryant TD just 7:48 into the game.
With just over ten minutes remaining in regulation and the Phantoms trailing 51-47, Bledsoe picked off Salisbury in the Arizona end zone, killing a drive that would have produced a go-ahead score.
The defeat spoiled an impressive return to the Phantoms lineup by WR/LB Kerry Brown who scored two touchdowns, including a major that gave Toronto their only lead of the game, late in the third quarter.
Brown was activated off injured reserve on Friday after suffering a sternum injury during the preseason. He caught 3 passes for 79 yards and assisted on three tackles on the evening.
Rattlers veteran QB Sherdrick Bonner completed 29 passes and recorded 7 TD tosses to lead the host club. It was Bonner’s second consecutive 7-TD game. Bonner’s 29 completions against the Phantoms secondary tied a Toronto opponents record.
Bonner’s key targets were Maurice Bryant and Chris Horn (7 receptions each and 5 TDs) who gave the Phantoms’ secondary fits all evening.
The contest was a penalty-filled affair with several unsportsmanlike – especially after touchdowns.
Toronto was assessed 11 penalties and the Rattlers 10.
There will be little time for the Phantoms to get ready for their next contest as they host the 2-1 Indiana Firebirds at the Air Canada Centre on Thursday night.
Last year the Phantoms dropped a 45-34 decision to the Firebirds in June, 2001 – their last regular season loss before Saturday’s game in Arizona.
Tales from the Crypt:
The loss marked Toronto’s first regular season road defeat since June 2nd in Orlando last summer… OL/DL Connell Spain also returned to the lineup for the first time since last season’s playoffs. Spain had off-season knee surgery that took longer to heal than expected… Veteran C/NT John Summerday has an injured knee as well and was a scratch from the Arizona contest… All three Phantoms defensive specialists dressed for the contest but had a rough night allowing 29 completions… The Toronto line struggled for the first time in a while – they didn’t record any QB hurries or sacks… KR Anthony Derricks broke out of a major slump by returning his first kick for a TD since June 30th of last year. The Mississippi State grad went 56 yards for a major in the second quarter… WR/DB Charlie Davidson had another strong game on defense recording 9.5 tackles… OS Damian Harrell led the club with 7 receptions for 115 yards and two scores… TE/DE Donald Dinkins started his first game in place of Jason Walters… K Matt George missed his first three PAT attempts… C/NT Doug Lytle returned to the lineup after missing the Detroit contest with a mild concussion suffered in the Tampa game.
Jim Parcels was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2002 season.
