Command Shock the Sharks

Published on July 15, 2011 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release


Kansas City, MO - The Kansas City Command stunned Jacksonville Friday night at Sprint Center, stopping a two-point conversion in overtime that preserved a 49-48 win. The victory improved Kansas City to 6 and 11 on the year and stopped a two-game losing streak. Jacksonville has now lost three in a row to fall to 13 and 4.

"I told our guys," Danton Barto said after the game, "'It doesn't matter what happened all season long. It only matters what happens tonight.' Our guys bought into that and played with a purpose."

Jacksonville tied the game at the end of regulation with a 21-yard field goal as time expired. The Command won the toss and elected to receive to start overtime. Quarterback Stephen Wasil drove the offense 45 yards in just three plays, finding Brent Holmes for a 29-yard score, his second touchdown reception of the night.

Per overtime rules in the Arena Football League, Jacksonville got an opportunity to tie or win. Quarterback Aaron Garcia hit WR Jeff Hughley for a six-yard touchdown to pull the Sharks within one point. Jacksonville coach Les Moss elected to go for two points and the win, even after a false start backed his offense up the seven-yard-line. Garcia was flushed from the pocket and his throw hit the net iron before falling incomplete, giving Kansas City the win.

"A lot of people questioned our team's heart last week and thought we quit," Barto said. "We didn't quit, we had a rough night. It was obvious tonight our guys haven't quit."

The Command played exceptional defense, holding Jacksonville to their lowest scoring total of the season even with the extra overtime possession. The Sharks gained 420 yards of total offense but the Command forced five turnovers.

"We talked about tackling hard," Barto said. "And we were a physical defense tonight."

The game was low scoring from the start. The Command were held without points in the first half but trailed just 6-0. Both teams managed to put three touchdowns on the board in the second quarter and the Sharks scored last to take a 27-21 lead into halftime.

The Command defense played arguably their best quarter of the season after halftime, holding Jacksonville scoreless in the third period. Kansas City scored two touchdowns in the quarter seconds apart. Receiver Bret Smith hauled in a 24-yard touchdown and the ensuing kickoff bounced hard off the iron and linebacker Bradly Chavez recovered it and danced into the end zone for a score.

"I was just running down the field, staying in my lane," Chavez said. "(Kicker Brian) Umstead put a great kick on the bar and luckily I got the ball and got in the end zone. It was a huge momentum swing for us in the game."

With a 33-27 lead after the Chavez touchdown, the Command defense forced two straight turnovers. Kansas City gave it right back with a fumbled snap after the first one, but a five-yard touchdown run by Trey Bryant gave the Command a two-possession lead at 39-27.

Jacksonville finally got the offense back on track and put pressure on the Command with two straight touchdown drives sandwiched around a KC field goal to make it 42-39. The Command were still in control, getting the ball with a chance to ice the game late in the fourth quarter. But the first Command snap was fumbled by Wasil, opening the door for Jacksonville with 1:30 remaining in the quarter.

The Command defense once again came up strong, forcing a Jacksonville field goal to tie instead of allowing a winning touchdown.

"We played well on special teams, offense, and defense," Chavez said. "Everyone did their 1/8th and we came out with the win."

Wasil finished 19 of 34 for 309 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Holmes, an AFL veteran playing his first game with the Command, hauled in six catches for a team-high 127 yards and two touchdowns. Smith caught eight passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

Umstead did not have great numbers, hitting four of seven extra points, but one was blocked and another was due to a bad snap. He made a crucial overtime PAT and knocked in a 19-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter.

"We've brought in guys to compete with him, but he keeps outkicking them," Barto said. "The guy just keeps making kicks when we need them."

Garcia was forced to settle for short throws throughout the night and ended up completing 37 of 48 passes for 419 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. Three Sharks receivers went over 100 yards, including Hughley who had 176 on 18 catches.

The Command will host the Tulsa Talons next Saturday at 7pm in the 2011 season finale.

"This is a huge win for us because it's a step," Barto said. "We're building for next year, that's what the rest of this season is for. This team's got to lay a foundation. If we can win these last two games it's a great building point for what we all think this franchise can be."

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