Kalamazoo nearly knocks off champs

[Bonzogonzo24]

The Pirates endured their toughest battle in two years. Kalamazoo came close but a few too many turnovers. What an awesome game. 37-29 with the Xplosion heaving up last-second pass that went into the back of end zone. Less than 700 people showed up for it in Flint. What a joke.

[exit322]

At least half from Kalamazoo, and only one totally inappropriate comment from Keller during the broadcast (to Xplosion coach Bob Kubiak after the game) "go ahead and hold it...it will be the last time you get to see it."

The Rochester playoff game last year, and the first Rochester-Port Huron game last year were closer - but this was a great game. Port Huron missed its suspended center last night.

I would say, as I don't think Kalamazoo's quite there to compete for a title, that if the Pirates play like this against Rochester (or maybe New England, but I don't think the Surge are there, either), they will have their first loss.

[Tatonka]

I believe the overtime game vs the Raiders would have to be called the closest game the Pirates have endured...

[exit322]

For sure, though an argument can be made that the 32-29 game was better.

[Bonzogonzo24]

I'm not trying to pick here, but I'm kind of sick of hearing about the Pirates missing their damn center. Kalamazoo was missing one of their best offensive threats, wideout Herb Haygood (Mich. State) and their other star receiver almost didn't play because of bruised and possible cracked ribs (Dolph). It was a great game and could have gone either way.

Kalamazoo's kicker Brad Selent is the best in the league and his kick was straight down the pike and hit a damn speaker in the rafters that would have given them the lead. Again, could have gone either way. Still think it was the best game in the league's history. I'm sure others would feel the same if people would have shown up.

[exit322]

I don't know that Haygood would have made that big a difference. Dolph made plays, and the other receivers helped to make some plays, too.

The center that replaced Neal botched a few snaps and didn't do much to help block for Franzer.

[Bonzogonzo24]

exit --

i tend to agree with most of your posts, but not the last one. i'm not saying you don't know anything about the xplosion, because i know you do from previous posts, but did you see the game Haygood had last week against Chicago and everything else he's done this year? Oh wait, no, because the CIFL hasn't updated their stats since April. But anyway, Haygood is impressive and would have made a big difference in that game. Just saying.

[exit322]

Yeah, I understand what you're saying. Haygood must be a lot better this year than he was last year, then, for that to be true. As it was, I thought he was a good, but replaceable, receiver.

Stats were a problem this year. Hopefully the league can get teams to actually do them for next year.

[Tatonka]

exit --

i tend to agree with most of your posts, but not the last one. i'm not saying you don't know anything about the xplosion, because i know you do from previous posts, but did you see the game Haygood had last week against Chicago and everything else he's done this year? Oh wait, no, because the CIFL hasn't updated their stats since April. But anyway, Haygood is impressive and would have made a big difference in that game. Just saying.

Don't blame the league for the stats... teams are responsible to do their own stats. If they don't, or they do but don't send them to the league, then it's not the league's fault they aren't up to date. We have updated everything that we have received.

[Bonzogonzo24]

I understand that it's the team's responsibility to send in their stats. But it's the league's responsibility to make sure teams comply. There seems to be no kind of penalty for an organization that bucks the system (and this runs much deeper than turning in box scores from what I understand). I know for a fact that several team's haven't paid certain fees, championship ring fees, dues, etc... Why not? There's no punishment. The league has to enforce rules or there's no point of the league having a say in anything that goes on. Teams have to fear fines, penalties and so on in order to carry out their end of the bargain.

[Tatonka]

I understand that it's the team's responsibility to send in their stats. But it's the league's responsibility to make sure teams comply. There seems to be no kind of penalty for an organization that bucks the system (and this runs much deeper than turning in box scores from what I understand). I know for a fact that several team's haven't paid certain fees, championship ring fees, dues, etc... Why not? There's no punishment. The league has to enforce rules or there's no point of the league having a say in anything that goes on. Teams have to fear fines, penalties and so on in order to carry out their end of the bargain.

Who's saying fines haven't been levied?

[Bonzogonzo24]

I'm saying I've heard from the utmost reliable source that the league felt there was no sense in fining teams when several didn't have enough money to even pay their players or make it through the season. So, that brings us to another point -- better background checks on possible owners.

It all boils down to the league's decisions. I'm sure some teams were fined. But I bet you some didn't pay and others were offered grace because of their financial situations. The CIFL, and maybe rightfully so, was more concerned about getting through the season. I can understand that. But that has to be corrected next season. The league has to take control and not fool around with owners.

I know that some teams never sent game films, stats or anything else "required" of them this year. Unacceptable. Get it signed in the contract and follow through with the penalties - no matter what. I know for a fact that will change the face of this league next year if the CIFL mans up.

[exit322]

There's one strong message the CIFL can send this week to bring back a lot of the goodwill lost this season.

They say they're going to get it right next year. They better; it's their last chance.

[exit322]

I understand that it's the team's responsibility to send in their stats. But it's the league's responsibility to make sure teams comply. There seems to be no kind of penalty for an organization that bucks the system (and this runs much deeper than turning in box scores from what I understand). I know for a fact that several team's haven't paid certain fees, championship ring fees, dues, etc... Why not? There's no punishment. The league has to enforce rules or there's no point of the league having a say in anything that goes on. Teams have to fear fines, penalties and so on in order to carry out their end of the bargain.

This is true. Very true. That's the one thing the league could really use to do this coming season (as it was at the end of last season).

On the Haygood thing - you've seen more of the Xplosion than me, obviously; I only have the unpaid Crunch to go on, so maybe his loss was just as meaningful as PHoMPoF losing Neal.

[Bonzogonzo24]

Oh the Crunch. Yeah, I think all the players that came over from that team really stepped it up this year because they knew they were contenders, under solid ownership and getting paid each week. Makes quite a difference. Especially when fans show up to your games.

[exit322]

Ownership was the reason no one showed in Battle Creek, too!

[exit322]

At least half from Kalamazoo, and only one totally inappropriate comment from Keller during the broadcast (to Xplosion coach Bob Kubiak after the game) "go ahead and hold it...it will be the last time you get to see it."

Apparently this comment was made before the game, not after it. My information was incorrect.