Another Overtime, Another Win for Kalamazoo
by Randy Snow
March 15, 2008 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Kalamazoo Xplosion
The Continental Indoor Football League season is only two weeks old and there have already been two overtime games, both of them involving the Kalamazoo Xplosion.
Last week in Chicago, the Xplosion came from behind to tie the game in the closing seconds, then defeated the Chicago Slaughter 46-39 in overtime. Last night, it was the visiting Rock River Raptors who came from behind to send the game into overtime, but it was the Xplosion who prevailed 33-26 at Wings Stadium. Kalamazoo improves to 2-0 on the season. An announced crowd of 2,293 enthusiastic fans were in attendance at the game.
Rock River scored first on a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Steven LaFalce. The extra point attempt was blocked by Kalamazoo DB Richard Newsome, who scooped up the loose ball and raced the length of the field for a safety, making the score 6-2.
Later in the first quarter, Kalamazoo quarterback Randy Hutchison connected with wide receiver Dan Musielewicz on an eight-yard touchdown pass giving the Xplosion a 9-6 lead.
Hutchison threw two more touchdown passes in the second quarter, one to wide receiver L.J. Parker and another to running back Brent Lesniak, and the Xplosion built a comfortable 23-9 halftime lead.
But in the second half, the Xplosion only scored three points. With the score tied at 23-23, Xplosion kicker Brad Selent kicked a 19-yard field goal with just under four minutes to play, giving Kalamazoo a 26-23 lead. But Rock River answered with a 27-yard field goal of their own as time expired in regulation.
In overtime, Kalamazoo got the ball first and worked their way down the field. The drive was capped off by an 11-yard touchdown catch by Musielewicz, giving the Xplosion a 33-26 lead. On the first play from scrimmage after the ensuing kickoff, Kalamazoo DB David Gator made his third interception of the game, preserving the win for the Xplosion.
After the game, a modest Gator would not even take credit for the interception that helped win the game. "I have to give credit to (teammate) Richard Newsome on that interception," said Gator. "He told me to watch the post the whole way. I read it and that's what they did. He's a smart football player so I have to give him credit on that one. All I did was catch it."
Kalamazoo head coach Mike Sparks was obviously pleased with the win, but he knows there are areas for improvement on the team. "I loved the intensity of the crowd. I loved the momentum that they gave us. Frankly, we needed it in the second half," said Sparks. "We left too many points on the field and we got a little overconfident at halftime. Our open field offense is fine, but we struggled in the red zone. We are going to address the red zone heavily (in practice this week)."
Xplosion quarterback Randy Hutchison added another possible reason for the team's second half offensive slump. Like most players in the CIFL, he holds down a regular job on top of playing football. "The problem is, I haven't been in practice the last two weeks," said Hutchison. "I've been traveling on business. Luckily that's over now."
In the game, quarterback Randy Hutchison completed 19 of 31 passes for 165 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran three times for 16 yards. Dan Musielewicz led the team in receiving with seven catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
"Dan Musielewicz might be the best possession/route-running receiver this league has ever had. The way he got himself open on the go ahead score in overtime was just spectacular," Sparks said.
FLOWERS INJURED
Xplosion running back Little John Flowers was injured on his only carry of the game in the first quarter. He suffered a bruised thigh when he was hit in the leg by a helmet. The injury was not considered to be serious, but he did not play the rest of the game.
UNDEFEATED
With the win over Rock River, the Xplosion remain undefeated at home over the past two seasons. They were 7-0 at Wings Stadium last year, including one playoff win, and they are 1-0 at home so far this season.
NEXT GAME
Kalamazoo will host the expansion Flint Phantoms this Friday night at Wings Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30
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Randy Snow is a freelance football writer from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Since 2003, he has covered the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, United Indoor Football, the Continental Indoor Football League and the All American Football League. Randy has been a member of the Arena Football League Writer's Association since 2005 and can be reached at randysnow22@yahoo.com.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from March 15, 2008
- Another Overtime, Another Win for Kalamazoo - OSC Original by Randy Snow
- Xplosion Win in Overtime Again, 33-26 - Kalamazoo Xplosion
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
