Force a Sight Better than the Wardogs... Almost
Bonnie Salazar
Wednesday May 22, 2002
My first impression of the game was one of amazement. The pre-game excitement set me up to enjoy the game before anyone even threw a ball. The Chicago Rush take care of their fans. In addition to the stage set up for a live band, there was a man on stilts bending balloons for the kids, and a number of display booths. Junior cheerleaders showed their spirit in a dance number for the crowd. It had the look and feel of a neighborhood carnival.
And then there are the fans. From first kickoff, the fans made sure the Rush knew they were there for them. They wore team colors, screamed, stomped and in some cases, booed and cursed at the referees. They danced in the aisles and waved their arms like demented chickens to attract the attention of the camera. These folks wanted to win and were totally willing to do their part to make it happen.
Every aspect of the sport was represented in this one game. Both teams provided me an opportunity to learn about every type of penalty. Out of the boxes, encroachments, tauntings, and personal fouls ran amok. The Rush killed the Force in the first half, playing with them instead of against them. Not that the Force knew to lay down and die. No sir, instead they came out after the half-time rest and took over the game. Were it not for the Chicago offense, and another long series of penalties and mistakes, the Force might just have caught up. (They didn’t, but we’ll get into that later.)
I got to do the whole press thing. I have to admit, this was some pretty cool stuff. I was introduced to members of the press, PR representatives, and several players from both teams. I was allowed unlimited access to the field, locker rooms and pressroom. As if this wasn’t enough to hook any lukewarm Arena fan such as myself, I even got to watch from the press box, the high-and-mighty throne of those who seem to know everything. (I’ll get to that point one day, I’m sure, but for now you’ll have to deal with my fumbling along.)
Now for the game, or the lack of game from the Force, depending on which side you’re on. Georgia started off misleadingly strong by scoring a touchdown in the first minute of the game. Little did I realize, that would be one of the Force’s last scoring plays for quite a while. The Rush, to the delight of their loyal fans, seized the opportunity to toss Georgia around like rag dolls and push the score to 14-42 by halftime. Thank goodness the Rush couldn’t maintain that pace.
As is typical for the Chicago team, their third quarter antics ended with little to show for it. It’s not that the Force really did all that much better, as their penalties, interceptions, botched passes, and overall bad play show. It’s just that the Rush forgot how to tackle. The end result became a fairly close game, and more reason for those Chicago fans to shout. (I couldn’t tell if they were shouting for the Rush or at them in the second half, but we’ll say for them.)
As the Arena Turns
As the new correspondent for the Georgia Force, it’s my job to find something to write about them. It doesn’t look like it will be hard to do. I’ve stumbled into a real-live soap-opera.
Less than 12 hours after accepting the job as correspondent, the Force fired their head coach. Better yet, it’s been said he was fired before he hit the turf Saturday night. Ain’t that a kick in the pants?
The team is known for submitting its opponents to horrifically long games (nearly three hours at the Allstate Arena) due to penalties, and they’re running on a four-game losing streak. This week they face Los Angeles with a new head coach and, hopefully, a whole new outlook.
Please be patient with me. I’m as green at this as the Force is to winning, and like them, I’ll give it my best effort to entertain you.
Bonnie Salazar was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2002 season.
