Sharks bite into Victory of Division Rival Dorados
Andi Dupper
Monday April 14, 2008
There was a lot to celebrate in a 61-54 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Dorados. The victory for the Sharks came with added bonuses. It was the first in franchise history to defeat the defending division champs, end the Dorados 14-game regular season winning streak dating back to 2007, their ten game road win streak, and the three game win streak over the Sharks. The Corpus Christi Sharks home opener was filled with excitement and a wide array of entertainment, on and off the field.
The fans packed the American Bank Center Arena on Saturday, April 12, 2008 for the Season Home opener of the Corpus Christi Sharks. The concourse was filled with fans eager to see their Sharks return to the field. Last season saw the Sharks make a lackluster start, but finish with a four game winning streak at home. Everyone on the Sharks payroll, from administration, to operations to the owners made dramatic changes during the off season. This was a night for making an impression.
The usual fanfare for a home opener took place. On the video board a montage of clips from last year’s season started the night off. As each player was called out through the “shark tunnel” the fans screamed louder, the arena vibrated, this was the return of a home town team. All of last season seemed to have been forgiven by the thousands in attendance.
In the first quarter the Sharks attacked the Dorados unmercifully. Ivory McCann showed early on in the game, he wasn’t losing to these division rivals. He returned a field goal attempt for a touch down and put the Sharks on the board. The Sharks would continue to send the message in the first quarter that they meant business. At the end of the first quarter the Sharks led 27-13.
Clearly this was a much different team on the field from last year. A normally vocal and passionate Coach Trigg appeared to be calm and motivating to his team. The Sharks played like a team, not as individual super stars. In the stands the fans energy was parallel to the energy on the field. The fans were willing to do whatever it would take to ensure a victory of the Dorados.
The Sharks game day staff kept the arena entertained during stoppages and time outs. A summon dash (two men in sumo suits that run the length of the field) between two contestants had fans rolling in the stands. The Sharks mascot, Scully, body slammed a contestant that had fallen in the sumo suit. To even things out, Scully then started running circles around the other contestant that was already having difficulty running to the finish line. In the end, the fans seemed to be rooting for Scully and not the two contestants.
In the arena there were two visible platforms, “Logan’s Lounge and The Ben Zone” banners hung on either platform. Atop each platform was a couch, a Lazy-Boy recliner, a coffee table with popcorn and chips, and sodas and a few extra folding chairs. Genius idea! The people on the platforms won their tickets on two of the local radio stations and enjoyed the game with all the comforts of home.
The second quarter of the game was fast and furious. At the end zone, there is a fan that receives a high five from Ivory McCann after a touchdown. 34-13 Sharks lead. The Dorados manage to score against an aggressive defense and close the gap 34-26. With just 27 seconds left in the quarter the Dorados fumble the ball and end the quarter 41-26 Sharks.
The half time show that had been hyped on each radio commercial for a week leading into the game didn’t seem to live up to it’s proposed excitement. Four hip hop artists unveiled the new Sharks theme song to a less than enthusiastic crowd. It may have been the hip hop this crowd didn’t like, it may have been the technical difficulties with the audio, it may have been any number of other things, but the crowd didn’t seem to take a “love it” attitude to the song or the performance.
The third quarter saw a few scuffles on the field. This rivalry was getting pretty tempered on the field. Pierre Thomas, of the Rio Grande Valley Dorados appeared to be an instigator in several of the heated moments on the field. To make matters worse, the referees appeared to not be watching the same game as the fans in the arena. The boos from the stands rumbled through the arena after “bad calls” were announced.
With 4:38 remaining in the fourth quarter the Dorados led with a score of 48-54. A kick off by the Dorados would fumble into the hands of Ivory McCann. McCann finally gained control of the football to complete a touchdown and tie the game 54-54. An interception by McCann with 3:12 put the Sharks ahead again. The fans took to their feet during the last 27.2 clicks left on the clock. The Dorados had possession of the ball and would throw four incomplete passes to end the game with a 61-54 victory for the Sharks.
