Riptide Come From Behind in Stunning Upset over Peoria
Keith Antigiovanni
Wednesday June 26, 2002
“When we were down at half-time I told the guys the most important thing is how you finish, not how you start,” Morris said. The pep talk obviously inspired the Riptide as they shut out shut down Peoria in the second half on all five Pirate possessions.
San Diego began its comeback in the final minute of the second quarter when QB Kane Claunch connected with WR/LB Jerry Garrett on an out pattern in the end zone. Garrett later scored the game-winning touchdown on 45-yard catch and run for the touchdown late in the game. “Garrett has really started to play well and has become a compliment to Rico Curtis. He (Garrett) quietly does his job and handles his business. This is the first time he’s been 100% because of a knee injury early in the season,” Morris said.
Claunch struggled badly in the first half, completing only 3 of 14 passes but ended up throwing four touchdowns in the game. After getting knocked out for a series in the third quarter, Claunch showed his toughness by coming back and leading the team to the game-winning touchdown.
The most impressive aspect of the win was the remarkable play of the Riptide defense holding Peoria, the af2’s number two scoring offense, to only 21 points and shutting them in the second half. “Our defense really played well. For us to be able to hold a great offense like Peoria to three touchdowns really says a lot. Our defense is tough, those guys are battling every play,” Morris said. DS Kevin Burton set the tone early with an interception on the Pirates first drive. San Diego pass rush continued to beat up on the Pirates starting QB Church, knocking him out in the first half. OL/DL Ryan Cuthbert recorded two more sacks and has 7.5 in 10 games this season.
The Riptide suffered another blow at the center position when FB/LB Brian Berg was injured in the first quarter. Berg and Trevor Misipeka were already filling in for injured centers Jason Henry and Jason Gallow.
San Diego stays home this week to close out division play against the Fresno Frenzy. A victory for San Diego virtually assures them of a playoff spot although a win would not clinch it. The Riptide are currently 1.5 games in front of third-place Fresno.
Keith Antigiovanni is a free-lance writer in San Diego, California. He has worked for several local newspapers covering sports, government and business. Keith started writing in 1995 after graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Media Communications from the University of San Diego. Aside from working as a sportswriter he has a side business of providing marketing assistance/research for small businesses and also directs,produces and hosts a regular public access television show on Time-Warner Cable named "San Diego Yesterday". Antigiovanni is also a member of the San Diego Sportswriter Association.
