Command Bewitched by VooDoo 52 - 59

May 8, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release


Fourth and goal isn't always the best place to be when you're behind by 7 points with 15 seconds on the clock, but that's where the COMMAND found itself after four quarters of a tight game against the New Orleans VooDoo.

In the end, it would come down to a few inches between the ball and the fingertips of ever-capable KC receiver Aaron Hosack. On the last two out of three plays of the COMMAND's final possession, Quarterback JJ Raterink could not find the big man's hands to close the 7 point gap with the VooDoo.

A frustrated Coach Danton Barto weighed in on the loss. "It's one of the worst losses I've ever had. I guess the only good thing to say is that next week is a new opponent and we've got a couple days to take a look at what we did wrong and fix it."

Surrounded by his coaching staff who shared in the frustration, Coach Barto continued, "we've got a game against a team that's hard to beat at home in Tampa. I know that everyone everyone on the coaching staff, and everyone in that locker room, is disappointed."

Part of the frustration no doubt came from the fact that the COMMAND on paper seemed to be a much better team thanthe VooDoo. Analysts had picked KC to win fairly easily, and there was a general sense that this game would be a turning point, helping the team gain some traction. But instead of a walk in the park, early on the game shaped up to be a trudge through a Louisiana swamp, for both teams as defense played its part in slowing things down.

The first quarter was tense, and fans could tell the level of emotion was high on both teams. Consequently, flags decorated the field. The VooDoo couldn't get off the 2 yard line until a personal foul on the passer moved them via a penalty. Key plays include a fumble recovery by linebacker Tyus Jackson, which stopped New Orleans' initial drive. But they'd respond by scoring a quick field goal on their next drive, followed by a touchdown; a critical fumble on KC's 2 yard line off a kick return put the VooDoo in position to make that touchdown. A drive consisting of two quick passes by Raterink to Bret Smith would get the COMMAND on the scoreboard. The VooDoo's fullback Tommy Taggart, who'd go on to win the JLS Ironman of the Game award, scored the next touchdown off a 13 yard carry into the end zone. The first quarter ended with New Orleans up by 10, 7 to 17.

In the second quarter, the COMMAND closed the gap. Key plays were made by receivers Christian Wise and Aaron Hosack, Hosack dragging several New Orleans defenders with him as he picked up 13 yards. This put Raterink in position to find Bret Smith for a 16 yard touchdown pass, with Smith sauntering into the end zone. New Orleans quarterback Chris Wallace answered the score with a 45 yard pass to James Jordan for the touchdown. Kansas City's next drive would come up short, a turnover on downs, but so would New Orleans'. JJ Raterink was picked off, but then so was Wallace. However, COMMAND linebacker Erick Harris's interception was run back for a touchdown. New Orleans would score again, before the COMMAND got the ball back. But when they did, Raterink put the ball into the hands of 6'3, 315 lb. Lineman Rich Ranglin who plowed through the VooDoo to within four yards of the end zone. With no time left on the clock, Christian Wise made a leaping catch in the end zone, putting the COMMAND within three points, 28-31.

The second half began with Carlton Brown returning the ball to New Orleans' 13. Bret Smith took a crushing hit but hung onto the ball, got up, and caught another pass that put Kansas City at the 1 yard line. With a run by fullback Victor Mann, the COMMAND took a 4 point lead; it's first in the game. New Orleans drove down the field methodically, and at the culmination of the drive, the VooDoo's fullback Taggart made his own run into the end zone from the one yard line. The teams would trade scores until a pass breakup by defensive back Rashad Barksdale would stop the VooDoo on fourth down. The third quarter ended with Kansas City up by 42 over New Orleans' 38.

As the final 15 minutes of the game started ticking off the clock, the VooDoo pulled back to a tied score; Kansas City settled for the 3 points of a field goal, but New Orleans got the full 7 off a 31 yard pass to James Jordan. With the score tied 45-45, COMMAND quarterback JJ Raterink was picked off by Jerron Wisham who ran the length of the field back for a touchdown. The COMMAND struggled to regain this lost momentum, but re-tied the score back at 52. That was, until a 38 yard pass to Chris Wilson put the VooDoo ahead by 7 with 2:05 left on the clock. The COMMAND coaches, no doubt, were attempting to manage the clock as the team drove towards the end zone, trying to tie the game again. But with fourth and goal needed, the ball simply did not find its way into the hands of a Kansas City receiver.

Despite the loss, the COMMAND's loyal fans streamed onto the field, led by mascot "Pepsi" Max Runway. One fan was overheard making a joke about how the "VooDoo must have sacrificed some chickens in the locker room". The warm reception by the fans mitigated some of the disappointment on the faces of the COMMAND's players; one could tell that the team which had just played its heart out, really wanted to earn another win as a way of saying "thanks" for coming out to Sprint Center on a beautiful summer night in Kansas City. It will be another few weeks until the team is home again, and they'll face the dangerous Spokane Shock.



Arena Football League Stories from May 8, 2011


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