AFL Legend Delivers for Milwaukee
Jeff Sims
Wednesday August 11, 2010
Big players make big plays in big games. In Saturday night’s AFL first round playoff game against the Chicago Rush, Damian Harrell reminded everyone of why he is one of the best to ever play this game.
Replicating performances that we have seen from him many times before when he played for the Colorado Crush, Harrell caught nine passes for 90 yards for the Milwaukee Iron as they defeated the Rush 64 -54, thus ending the season for Chicago. After fellow wide receiver Antoine Burns scored the first four touchdowns for the Iron, Harrell went on a tear and scored the final five touchdowns for Milwaukee. He took control of the game by making some very difficult catches.
“I have been waiting for this time right here (playoffs),” said Harrell. “I prepped well for the season and coach did a good job of pacing me through the season. Now I am healthy and ready to move on.”
Quite the contrary, the Chicago Rush were playing with a team held together by duct tape, paper clips, and rubber bands. Even a bye week to end the season couldn’t help this team get healthy for the playoffs. Starting for injured QB Russ Michna, JJ Raterink was put behind two-thirds of an offensive line that probably would not have played if it was a regular season game.
Center Beau Elliott was playing with a knee injury and offensive lineman Paluni MaSun was playing injured as well. As a result, against a very good Milwaukee pass rush, Raterink was forced to scramble often and throw on the run.
Ironman DeJuan Alfonso started at wide receiver again for the team in place of the injured Nichiren Flowers. Alfonso was injured during the second quarter for the Rush forcing DB Chris Martin into action on offense.
“It was tough with different guys in the huddle and having to tell them what route to run and where to go,” said Raterink. “As a quarterback it makes you think differently when you go through your reads and maybe force some throws you normally wouldn’t make.”
“Figuratively and literally, we had so many guys banged up,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “When Zo went down he wasn’t the same. He dropped balls that he usually doesn’t drop. A couple of our offensive linemen probably would not have played if it was a regular season game. Our guys took the fight to a team that really has a chance to win it all.”
But even a relatively healthy Rush defense did not have an answer for Harrell, the AFL’s all time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
With the score tied at 27 in the middle of the second quarter, the Iron and Damien Harrell went to work.
Former Rush defensive lineman Khreem Smith forced a fumble by Raterink that was recovered by Leroy Burgess. On the ensuing possession, Harrell’s first touchdown was a spectacular catch as he went over the boards and was able to pin the ball against the back of the boards to gain control of it for the score.
The Rush were able to hang in for a while longer, but they lost any momentum that they had early in the third quarter when Raterink was intercepted by Iron DB Carlton Brown
Milwaukee QB Chris Gresien was able to do something that no other team was able to successfully accomplish against the Rush defense; take advantage Chicago’s relatively small secondary. He was able to put the ball higher where only Harrell would be able to go and get it.
“We would have a needed a six foot five inch DB that can jump out of the building like he can,” said Hohensee after the game. “Some of the catches he made were incredible. It was the old Damian Harrell.”
His character and emotion after the game said the same thing.
“Coach called some good plays and really put us in a position to be successful,” said Harrell. “It is tough to have a four or five touchdown game, but this is what I am here for. It’s the playoffs. I mean, it’s on.”
