Phantoms Win Moves Club into League’s Elite
Jim Parcels
Monday May 13, 2002
Take Thursday’s big 45-36 victory over perennial powerhouse Indiana for example.
“That was a big win for us,” said Phantoms quarterback Chad Salisbury. “Indiana has a great club and they have for a while. It feels good to finally beat them.”
Last season the Firebirds defeated the Phantoms at the ACC to drop the Canadian club’s record to 3-6 in mid-June – the last regular season loss the club would suffer until this year.
Salisbury played a solid game directing the Phantoms to victory by completing 22 of 31 passes for 223 yards a three TD’s. He meticulously picked apart the Firebirds defense, who seemed to be playing off the line all night, with short to medium range passes.
“Its good to get back on track after the way things went in Arizona,” said Salisbury.
Last week the Phantoms suffered its first loss of the season in an ugly game against the Rattlers.
Toronto again flexed its running game against the Firebirds (a trait shown regularly by the league’s strongest teams) by rushing for a team record 43 yards.
“Our line has been great opening up holes for our backs,” said receiver Charlie Davidson who was chosen Iron Man for the contest. “We’ve had some big plays on the ground this year.”
Game MVP Jermaine Younger scored two rushing TD’s in the game to move among the league leaders in the category. Anthony Hicks also crashed in for a major early in the contest to give the Phantoms an early 14-0 lead.
Rookie FB/LB Phil Glover had one of the most exciting rushes in team history on a 15-yard play when he cut across the field twice for a big gain in the third quarter.
“Phil has great quickness and he has a knack for finding the holes,” said Davidson, “and he’s just starting to learn this game.”
On a night when the club had record success on the ground, it also had an aerial record matched as well.
OS Damien Harrell tied his own single-game team record with 10 receptions in the win. He collected 121 yards and one major in the process as he gave Firebirds DS Cornelius Coe and DeJuan Alfonzo fits all night in the short game.
WR/LB Kerry Brown was a factor for the second time in as many weeks after returning to the lineup in Week #3. The seven-year vet hauled in six passes and two TD’s.
The Phantoms played the game without AFL Defensive Player of the Month, Steve Konopka, who suffered a leg strain a week earlier in the Arizona game.
The club also missed the services of regulars WR/LB Ty Law (personal) and OL/DL John Summerday (knee).
Next up for the Phantoms is QEW highway rival Buffalo at the HSBC next Saturday. Toronto split a pair of games with the Destroyers last year – each team winning a game on the road.
Tales from the Crypt:
WR/LB Nakia Jenkins looked good in his AFL debut after being activated off the practice squad to replace veteran Ty Law. Jenkins hauled in two passes and had a comfortable game on defense… DS Del Lee has improved markedly over this time last year. Once again he looked solid containing Indiana OS Eddie Brown… K Matt George was impressive breaking out of a mini-slump connecting on all his kicks last night (one GF and six PAT’s)… WR/DB Kahlil Carter served as the holder for George in place of regular holder Law… DS Tommy Henry did not dress for the Indiana game once again. It makes you wonder how he could be such an integral part of the Tampa Bay defense last year and struggle to get a regular shift in Toronto… Rogers SportsNet Ontario started its broadcast schedule with the Phantoms on Thursday and will be traveling to Buffalo on Saturday. The on-air crew of Jamie Campbell and Leif Pettersen once again did an outstanding job.
Jim Parcels was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2002 season.
