Firebirds Stretch Their Wings
Marc Viquez
Thursday April 1, 2004
“This is a confidence builder for us,” said Firebirds head coach Mike Wilpolt. “It is confidence that our quarterback can move the offense down the field. This is what we needed, because down the road we’re going to have games like this. After not having success once or twice early in the season we came through and did a good job scoring.”
Wilpot is 3-0 after taking over for former head coach Steve DeBerg, who guided the team to a 0-5 start this year. Wilpot’s first two victories were lopsided wins, coming by the combined score of 137-77, including a 73-36 spanking of the Georgia Force two weeks ago. This was a win that the Firebirds almost did not get, since the Rampage looked early on like a team that was on a winning streak instead of 0-6 early in the game.
The Rampage started off with a 21-7 lead as quarterback Anthony Buich found offensive specialist Steve Smith for two scores in the first quarter. The Firebirds were able to make it a 21-13 game at the half, but it was the Rampage who had a 154 to 98 passing yards advantage and they were perfect on third down conversions. However, when both teams returned to the field in the second half, it was Indiana who started the comeback outscoring the Rampage 32-21 and which included limiting Grand Rapids to just seven points in the final period of play.
A lot of the credit belongs to rookie quarterback Adrian McPherson, who continued his impressive play with five touchdowns and 289 yards through the air. His game-winning drive included connecting with four different receivers en route to setting up the final touchdown. It was similar to a situation he faced last month when he was driving the team for the win against the Chicago Rush in his first start.
“I have so much confidence in my teammates and confidence my offensive line is going to protect me and my receivers are going to make big plays,” said McPherson. “So now I’m giving the ball to those guys to make the big plays.”
One of those guys who made some big plays was fellow rookie, wide receiver/defensive back Anthony Hines, who finished the game with nine receptions, 147 yards and two touchdowns.
“Jordan Younger and Anthony Hines, along with the rookie QB, are maturing and they’re good, professional players,” said Wilpot. “We like the depth that we have.”
“I have a bunch of great receivers and my job is to get the ball to the open guy,” said McPherson. “I don’t care who it is since I feel like all my receivers can make big plays.”
On the defensive end it was defensive specialist Anthony Derricks who made the Rampage earn that last touchdown as he broke up several plays and almost picked off a Buich pass.
In the end, it was another win for Wilpot, who is now perfect for the season as he gets ready to take on the Colorado Crush this Saturday, which will pit him against former mentor and Firebirds head coach Mike Dailey. The Crush are on a two-game winning streak themselves and are sitting at 6-2, on top of the Central Division.
If there are going to similar games like the one played against the Grand Rapids Rampage, then perhaps we may have a similar outcome against the first place Crush.
A fan of the sport since 1990 Marc has covered both the New Jersey Gladiators and Cincinnati Swarm (Af2) for Arenafan Online. Marc now resides in Indianapolis after graduating with a Masters in Sports Management from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind. When not at a Firebirds game Marc can be found traveling the Midwest covering sports for various Internet and print publications.
