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Brigade continues push for playoffs with dramatic 66-53 win over Grand Rapids

June 2, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - The Brigade entered Van Andel Arena on Saturday with a part to play. The team needed a win on the road to continue its push for the playoffs, a tough task against a Grand Rapids club fighting for its season. Faced with a 16-point hole at halftime and again in the third quarter, and injuries to three starters, the Brigade put up 33 points in the final frame to take a 66-53 win.

Kansas City (8-5) did its part but only a loss by Los Angeles or Utah will definitely secure a playoff berth. The Brigade will finish a two-game road trip next Friday at the Columbus Destroyers. It is a non-conference game, but at this point in the season every contest is a must-win for both teams.

The context of the entire game changed with 12:15 left in the fourth quarter. The Brigade had just scored on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Raymond Philyaw to Anthony Hines and converted a two-point conversion to reduce the Rampage lead to 46-41. Gary Kral and the special teams unit lined up for what appeared to be a regular kickoff, but at the last moment Kral stubbed the ball forward. Grand Rapids was caught off guard and charged, touching the ball before it went 10 yards. Denario Smalls recovered it after a few bounces at the Kansas City two-yard line.

The Brigade offense began a march to take its first lead of the game. Philyaw only needed three passes to find the end zone, connecting with a wide open Jerel Myers for an 18-yard score. Kral's extra point went wide, but it was a well-earned 47-46 lead.

With momentum squarely in its corner, the Brigade defense took the field and made its own game-changing play. Kenny McEntyre, having missed one interception, took advantage of another chance, picking off Salisbury at the Kansas City 20-yard line and returning it untouched for a score and a 53-46 lead.

On the ensuing Rampage drive, pressure from the Brigade line finally paid off as Salisbury was forced out on a massive hit. Adrian McPherson came in as the backup and promptly threw an interception in the end zone on an amazing play by Deveron Harper, who leapt high in front of a receiver to get his hands on the ball and come down on his back, cradling it against his stomach.

The Brigade offense started at its own five-yard line and Philyaw got into a groove, completing four straight passes, two apiece to Myers and Charles Frederick. The ball didn't even cross midfield before it found the end zone, courtesy of Frederick, who shook his defender and easily took in Philyaw's pass for a 28-yard touchdown. After four-straight touchdown drives, the comeback had suddenly turned into a 59-46 advantage with only two minutes left to play.

Grand Rapids was able to answer on a McPherson touchdown run, but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by Smalls. Ahead by just six points, the Brigade didn't want to take any chances. The offense worked the clock until it faced fourth-and-goal at the Rampage one-yard line. Philyaw took the snap and scrambled, waiting for a receiver to get open in the confined space of the end zone. Hines did so and Philyaw, under pressure, fired the ball right to him. Kral converted the extra point to put the finishing touch on a remarkable win.

Kansas City started the second half with great field position as the kickoff went out of bounds. Philyaw moved the offense to first-and-goal at the two-yard line and orchestrated a great play to get in the end zone. He faked the usual handoff to Frederick and rolled right, hitting Dawan Moss in stride for an easy touchdown. Kral's kick was blocked, leaving the Rampage lead at 10.

Grand Rapids scored its only touchdown of the quarter on the ensuing possession after a failed Kansas City onside kick. The Brigade followed that with another scoring drive. It got interesting after the offense reached Rampage territory. Philyaw was sacked on third down and fumbled, but he recovered the ball himself. Faced with a fourth-and-13, the Brigade had no choice but to go for it. Philyaw went to Frederick for 21 yards and first down. Frederick then caught a seven-yard touchdown pass on the very next play. Kral's missed extra point left the Brigade behind by 10 again at 43-33.

Grand Rapids opened the game with a quick touchdown and the Rampage defense produced the equivalent on the Brigade's first possession with an interception. The Grand Rapids offense converted the turnover and Kansas City trailed 14-0 after less than of play.

The Brigade converted a third-and-five early in its second possession as Philyaw hit Hines between two defenders to reach the Rampage 13-yard line. It got easier from there as Philyaw fooled the secondary with a pump fake to free Frederick on a post in end zone. The duo completed an easy pitch and catch get Kansas City on the board with seven minutes left in the first quarter.

The Brigade defense stiffened on the ensuing Rampage drive to force a field goal, but the 10-point deficit didn't deter the offense. Philyaw faced tremendous pressure as the Rampage forced a fumble and a holding penalty on consecutive plays. Myers finally got the ball moving with a catch for a first down to midfield. After the first quarter buzzer, Moss finished the drive with a 17-yard run through a gaping hole on the right side of the line. Kral's extra point cut the lead to three with 12:31 left in the first half.

Grand Rapids scored on another quick touchdown pass and then got the ball back after the Rampage defense intercepted Philyaw. The Brigade defense stepped up to pressure Salisbury, but every great play was nullified by penalty. Grand Rapids eventually found the end zone, but the extra point missed to put the lead at 30-14.

In typical Arena Football fashion, the first half finished with a flurry of points. Philyaw led the offense on a quick drive, hoping to reduce the Grand Rapids lead to single digits prior to receiving the ball to start the second half. He found Hines open down the sidelines for a 21-yard touchdown pass with 30 second to play.

Unfortunately, the Rampage had just enough time to mount a drive and throw one pass into the end zone. McEntyre got his hands on the ball but left it in the air, allowing Cornelius Bonner to cradle it for a touchdown and a 37-21 lead at the break.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 2, 2007


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