Sports stats



Command Fall Just Short in Utah

June 25, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release


Salt Lake City, UT - The Kansas City Command lost a heartbreaker to the Utah Blaze tonight, falling by a single point 61-60 after a potential game-tying extra point was blocked. The loss drops the Command to 5-10, 2.5 games behind the 7-7 Blaze for the final playoff spot in the National Conference.

"Obviously, you hate losing a game like this where we'll look at the film and see some missed opportunities," coach Danton Barto said after the game. "But we kept fighting. That team has one of the best offenses in the league."

The Command's final drive was full of drama even before the PAT. Trailing 61-54 with just over 6:00 minutes remaining in the game, KC started from their own three-yard line in search of a game-tying touchdown. The Command converted fourth and eight from near midfield with a brilliant 15-yard catch from Bradly Chavez that withstood a Utah challenge. Then KC faced fourth down again, this time with goal-to-go from the six-yard-line. Quarterback Stephen Wasil hit Bret Smith for his seventh touchdown throw of the night with :53 seconds remaining to draw the Command within one point. However, 6'7" LB Caesar Rayford blocked the PAT and Utah maintained their lead.

The Command had no timeouts remaining so they were forced to attempt an onside kick. Smith appeared to legally come up with the football but a penalty gave the ball to Utah and the Blaze were able to run out the clock.

"They called kick catch interference," Barto explained. "We felt (the Command player) got blocked into him but the officials disagreed."

The story of the night was two offenses playing at a very high level. There were only two legitimate defensive stops, one for each team, throughout the entire game. Kansas City's offensive success was due to execution in the red zone, where they were a perfect seven of seven scoring touchdowns.

"That's one positive," Barto said, "we've been 100% in the red zone the last two games after really struggling in that area for awhile."

The game started with both offenses clicking, albeit in different ways. Utah scored touchdowns on their first five possessions, never needing more than three plays to score on a drive. KC was able to keep pace, scoring a touchdown on every possession of the first half - except their final one when they had time for just one snap - but it was often a struggle. They scored their first two touchdowns by converting fourth and long for 31-yard touchdowns.

The first and only stop of the game for the Kansas City defense came late in the first half. Utah took over after the 1:00 minute warning with the score tied at 33. The Blaze marched into scoring position but defensive back Kenneth Fontenette had two pass deflections in three plays, including on fourth down, to thwart Utah's final drive of the half.

The Command got the ball to start the third quarter and scored on a two-yard run from Bubby Gill to take their first lead at 40-33. Utah answered to even the score at 40, one of five ties in the game, and then made their defensive play of the game. On a first down play in Command territory, Wasil was hit by Khreem Smith as he threw a pass intended for Bret Smith. Utah defensive back Alfred Phillips stepped under the wobbly throw and intercepted it for the only turnover of the game. Utah scored in four plays to take a 47-40 lead and never trailed again, though the Command would tie it up twice more.

"I'm proud of the guys," Barto said. "To look at where we've come from week one, we showed a lot of resiliency. That team from earlier in the year wouldn't have been able to fight back like we did tonight."

Wasil completed 30 of 43 passes for a career high 309 yards and seven touchdowns in his second start.

"Wasil is proving that he's a good quarterback," Barto said. "He's got a bright future."

Wasil's favorite target was Gill who finished with 10 receptions for 117 yards and three touchdowns. He made several tough catches over the middle, holding onto the ball despite taking a big hit. He scored his two-yard touchdown run at the beginning of the second half by fighting off a linebacker at the goal line to cross the plane.

"That was him most impressive play," Barto said of the run. "Bubby played well tonight. I'm a big fan of Bubby's."

One of the more startling stats was time of possession. The Command had the ball twice as much as Utah, 40:06 to 19:54.

"That was our strategy, slow down their offense by holding onto the ball," Barto said.

The Command have a bye next weekend and will face division rival Iowa on July 9 at 7pm before playing their final two regular season games at Sprint Center.



Arena Football League Stories from June 25, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Kansas City Command Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central