Blitzed in California
July 13, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Bakersfield, Cali. - The Wichita Stealth have enjoyed their best road season in franchise history this year, but could not contain the Bakersfield Blitz offense on this night and fell to 4-4 on the road (8-6 overall) with a 56-41 defeat at the Centennial Garden Arena in front of 5,151 fans on Saturday night. Turnovers were the key to the Bakersfield victory as the Stealth turned the ball over three times (two fumbles, one interception) on the night. The Stealth still remain only one game behind the Hawaiian Islanders for the west division lead, as Hawaii was defeated 48-47 by Tulsa Talons.
The Stealth showed no signs off rustiness, as they took the opening possession of the game and marched down the field 30 yards in less than three minutes, capping the drive off with a nine-yard pass from quarterback Anthony Buich to offensive specialist Shomari Buchanan for a touchdown. Stealth kicker Jason Corse would miss the conversion and leave the Stealth with a 6-0 lead at the 12:06 mark of the first quarter.
The Blitz would counter with an eight play, 45-yard drive that ended on a three-yard run by York Frierson, fortunately for the Stealth the Blitz extra-point was also missed leaving the game at a 6-6 tie. The Stealth would end the first quarter scoring on a nine-yard pass from Buich to Melvin Phillips. Corse would redeem himself and convert on the extra point giving the Stealth a 13-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Blitz would take control of the game in the second quarter by scoring the first 23 points of the second quarter. The Blitz got the scoring going on a 57-yard kickoff return by Kusanti Abdul-Salaam tying the game at 13-13. They would convert their next possession into another touchdown, as quarterback Chad Elliot would find Ryan Sloth for a 25-yard score making the game 19-13 in favor of the Blitz. After a Stealth fumble, the Blitz would get a 25-yard field goal from kicker Jon Baker extending the Blitz lead, 22-13
The Stealth offense became plagued by turnovers in the second quarter, giving Bakersfield the ball back twice deep in Stealth territory. The second fumble came on the Stealth's own four-yard line and the Blitz would quickly turn it into seven points on a four-yard pass from Elliot to Frierson giving them a 16-point lead, 29-13. The Stealth would regain composure and add another touchdown late in the second quarter. The same duo who opened the scoring for the Stealth (Buich to Buchanan) hooked up again, but this time for a 27-yard touchdown bringing the halftime score to 29-20 in favor of the Blitz.
The Stealth could not close the gap in the third quarter as the Blitz increased their halftime lead from nine to 16 points in the third. The Blitz duo of Elliot and Eric Mahanke would hook up for tow scores in the third. First at the 11:23 mark with a 6-yard score, and the next at the 6:54 mark on a 20-yard score. The Stealth would add a Buchanan from Buich 31-yard pass at the 10:06 mark. The Blitz would lead at the end of the third, 42-26.
The Stealth opened the fourth quarter scoring on a three yard run by Buich putting them back to within ten points at 42-32, but that was as close as they would get on this night. Bakersfield would counter with two consecutive scores. First, a 20-yard pass from Elliot to Ryan Sloth making the score 49-32 and they would increase that lead to 24 points on a four yard run by Abdul-Salaam. The Stealth would end the scoring on another Buchanan touchdown, this time from 23-yards out leaving the final score at 56-41.
Shomari Buchanan led the Stealth as he had 10 receptions for 136 yards and four touchdowns. Anthony Buich was 15-of-28 for 178 yards and five touchdowns.
The Stealth will return home next Saturday July 19th to take on the Bakersfield Blitz and conclude the 2003 regular season on July 26th when they take on the Cincinnati Swarm. Kick-off for the two games is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available by calling the Stealth office at 316.755.3307.
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