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Command Steals Rush's Limelight and Gets First Road Win

April 23, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release


Almost a year ago, quarterback JJ Raterink was called up to fill the shoes of an injured Russ Michna for the Chicago Rush. Today, he returned to the Allstate Arena with his own team to face Michna. And in doing so, Raterink demonstrated why he's one of the best young quarterbacks in the league as he led the COMMAND to a 58-51 victory over the top team in the AFL's Central Division.

Kansas City's 31 point surge in the second quarter, 17 of those points being within 45 seconds on the clock, dramatically shifted the momentum of a game that had largely been a tit-for-tat scoring contest.

1st Quarter

The Rush would put up the first score of the game in three plays; a 10 yard pass to Reggie Gray. The COMMAND responded by driving down the field where Raterink found Steven Savoy in the end zone for the touchdown. On the Rush's second drive, Linebacker Tyus Jackson and Defensive Lineman Michael Landry sacked Rush QB Michna. Fullback Johnnie Kirton, who would personify the Rush moniker this evening with his running game, made the team's second touchdown of the night. However, Kansas City blocked the extra point attempt and with a few quick plays, including a 39 yard pass to Bret Smith, ended the first quarter with the goal line in their sights.

2nd Quarter

With a yard's distance between the COMMAND and a Touchdown, JJ Raterink sneaks into the end zone on a keeper and Brian Umstead's extra point puts the COMMAND up by 1, 14-13. The back and forth scoring would continue. Twice in this quarter, KC would recover their own kickoff, once by WR Christian Wise, and once by Trey Bryant. Both errors on the part of the Rush would put the COMMAND in good field position. But Raterink would himself make an error, fumbling the ball which Chicago ran back the length of the field for a touchdown. As if responding to the KC fans by way of an apology, on KC's next possession Raterink would make a 25 yard touchdown run. The score stood at 28-30, the COMMAND trailing by two. Trey Bryant's kickoff recovery on the 1 yard line enabled Steven Savoy to complete a short run into the end zone. KC's defense would shut down the Rush's next drive, with Tyus Jackson recovering a fumbled snap. Two quick plays put KC just within field goal range, albeit a distant attempt, with four seconds left on the clock. Kicker Brian Umstead launches the ball perfectly through the cross bars and Kansas City closes down the first half up 38 to 30.

3rd Quarter.

In one of the slowest quarters in recent memory for the Arena Football league, both teams would only put up one touchdown a piece. Steven Savoy made a catch with his fingertips for the score, but Umstead would miss the extra point. The Rush's Reggie Gray made a spectacular run, dodging several tackles to return the kickoff for a TD. Raterink would be intercepted by Jason Simpson on the COMMAND's next drive, but the COMMAND defense would force a turnover after their defensive backs shut down Russ Michna's passing game. Despite maintaining the lead on the scoreboards, it would not be a good quarter for JJ Raterink. He would again be intercepted, by Jason Simpson, in the Rush endzone. Tyus Jackson recovers a fumble at the 1 yard line, but Raterink himself fumbles the ball on an attempt at a trip into the end zone, which the Rush recovered and ran back to the 20. The quarter ended with KC ahead by 7, 44-37, but the Rush in possession of the ball.

4th Quarter.

The Rush's fullback Johnnie Kirton catches a short screen pass for a TD, tying the score at 44-44. Linebacker and team Ironman Bradly Chavez displays lightning reflexes and catches what seemed to be a borked attempt at an onside kick. After a short drive, Aaron Hosack catches a pass in the end zone, putting the COMMAND up 51-44. On the Rush's next possession, KC Defensive Lineman Michael Landry sacks Michna for a loss, but Michna would go on to float a pass again to Kirton for a TD, tying the game 51-51. With only 1:59 left in the game, Raterink makes two quick passes to Savoy for a first down, then targets him again for a 32 yard bomb for the TD. The score now stands at 58-41.

With the idea of running out the clock so as to leave KC no time to respond to their next score, the Rush drive to within five yards of the end zone. But excellent pressure from the COMMAND defense brings it down to 4th and 1 yard, where the Rush's center fumbles the ball. Michna recovers, but it's a

turnover, and with only 5 seconds left on the clock and ahead by 7, Kansas City secures its first road game victory as JJ Raterink makes a two yard run and the seconds dwindle to zero.

Coach Danton Barto was asked after the game for his thoughts and admitted, "It was an ugly game, we came out, we fought. It was a must-win for us." He went on to say, "we're coming home for two games, we've got two good teams coming in, but I think we can get to 4 and 4."

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