
Command Week 8 Game Notes
April 27, 2011 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Kansas City Command News Release
QUICK FACTS:
Dallas Vigilantes (4-2)
Vs. Kansas City Command (2-4)
Date: Friday, April 29, 2011
Kickoff: 7:30pm (Central Time)
Site: Sprint Center
Officials: Jim Corpora (Referee), Mike Moore (Umpire), Harold Mitchell (Head Linesman), Reggie Smith (Line Judge), James Cole (Back Judge)
Radio: 810 WHB, Announcers Nick McCabe and Stan Weber
TV: None
All-Time Series Record: Kansas City is 0-1 vs. Dallas
Last Meeting: Dallas defeated Kansas City 53-46 on March 12, 2011
Coaches: Clint Dolezel (4-2; First Season)
Danton Barto (2-4; First Season)
OVERVIEW:
The Command are looking to build on the momentum captured with their first road win of the season after beating the division-leading Chicago Rush last week 58-51. Dallas grabbed a share of the National Conference Central Division lead by beating Tampa Bay 67-61 combined with the Rush loss to KC.
THE SERIES:
This is the second meeting between the Dallas Vigilantes and Kansas City Command. The Vigilantes won the 2011 season opener for both teams 53-46 on March 12. The Command were held scoreless in the first quarter of that game and never fully recovered from the slow start as Dallas lead start to finish and held on at the end for the win.
Last Time Out
The Command got a much needed road win 58-51 at Chicago to improve to 2-4 on the year. The contest was undoubtedly the most exciting game of the year with three lead changes, three ties, and more momentum shifts than could be counted. The middle of the game was particularly wild with the teams combining for five lost fumbles, two interceptions, a turnover on downs, a missed field goal, and a kickoff net recovery mixed in with eight touchdowns and two field goals in the second and third quarters alone! After leading 38-30 at halftime, the Command got the ball first to start the second half and quickly scored to take their biggest lead at 44-30. Chicago, though, returned the ensuing kickoff to get back within seven early in the third quarter. Neither team scored for nearly a full quarter until Chicago tied it in the fourth. The teams traded scores throughout the final period until Kansas City's defense forced a turnover on downs in the final seconds to preserve the win.
Up Next
The Command conclude their two-game homestand at Sprint Center next Saturday, May 7 at 7:00 pm against the New Orleans VooDoo. New Orleans currently stands at 1-5 with a game at Chicago coming up Saturday night, April 30.
Savoy on SportsCenter
The Command opened the third quarter against Chicago with a 4-play, 40-yard touchdown drive to take a two score lead. The drive was capped with one of the top plays of the year in the AFL when quarterback JJ Raterink threw to wide receiver Steven Savoy who made a brilliant one-handed catch as he crossed the goal line. The play was featured on ESPN SportsCenter's Top Plays Friday night.
Former Chiefs DB Signs with Command
Kansas City has added defensive back Rashad Barksdale to the roster. Barksdale has been a member of five different NFL teams since being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 6th round in 2007. He was released by the Eagles at the end of preseason camp and landed with the Chiefs where he made 8 tackles for the '07 squad. He most recently was in camp with the Arizona Cardinals last fall but a foot injury ended his chances of making the squad. Barksdale played college football for the University at Albany in New York but only for his senior year after transitioning from the baseball program.
Command coach Danton Barto is excited to see how the athletic Barksdale adjusts to the AFL. "He's a guy that's going to help us. He's got a chance to immediately join the rotation in the secondary."
Crowded Roster
In addition to the Barksdale signing, DB Erick Harris has been activated off of injured reserve. The Command will have to make at least two roster moves this week to make room for Barksdale and Harris.
Chavez Out Against Dallas
Kansas City will be without the services of starting "Jack" linebacker Bradly Chavez when they take on the Vigilantes. Chavez had minor knee surgery this week and is expected to miss just one game. DB Sergio Gilliam has made a start at Jack this season but is playing so well now at cornerback that he is unlikely to move back to linebacker. Instead, it will likely be Harris, fresh off IR, who will take the place of Chavez.
Inside the Vigilantes
Dallas is off to a 4-2 start, including a season opening 53-46 win over Kansas City. The Vigilantes won their first two games before dropping their next two against solid competition. Now Dallas has put together its second two-game winning streak.
The Vigilantes are among the best in the league at running the football and they run it often. Fullback Derrick Ross is second in the league in rushing yards and first in attempts. In fact, Ross has nearly twice as many rushing attempts as anyone in the league. Coming into the game he has run it 65 times while the second highest total is 37.
In the passing game, quarterback Dan Raudabaugh has not been asked to throw the ball as often as the Command's JJ Raterink. Kansas City has thrown it 70 more times than Dallas. However, Raudabaugh has been able to go downfield, leading the league with a nearly 14-yard average per completion.
Former MU and Kearney Star Joins Command
The Kansas City Command added their first local football star with the signing of former University of Missouri wide receiver Tommy Saunders. Saunders caught exactly 150 passes for 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns in his Tiger career. He joined Missouri as a walk-on but earned a scholarship after his redshirt freshman season and became one of the most prolific receivers in school history. Saunders played high school football locally at Kearney High School on the north side of the Kansas City metro. The Bulldogs won back-to-back state titles his junior and senior seasons. Saunders made his Command debut on special teams against the Rush last week as he continues to learn the intricacies of the AFL on offense.
Saunders an Ironman'
New Command receiver Tommy Saunders was an offensive weapon at Mizzou, but at Kearney High School he was a dual threat, earning 1st Team All State honors as both a receiver and defensive back. At the end of his career he held the Missouri Class 4 state record for career interceptions with 23, five of which he returned for touchdowns.
Gilliam, Chavez Earn League-Wide Honors
The Command got their first win of the season against the Iowa Barnstormers with the help of a couple of big-time performances. Cornerback Sergio Gilliam, getting his first start of the season in the secondary, picked off three Brad Banks passes and was named Riddell Defensive Player of the Week in the AFL. Gilliam is now second in the AFL with five interceptions on the season. Linebacker/Wide Receiver Bradly Chavez was named JLS Ironman of the Week after catching three touchdown passes and playing Jack Linebacker for the majority of the snaps on defense. Chavez is no stranger to playing both ways. He earned Iron Man of the Year honors in 2008 with the AF2's Manchester Wolves.
Tough Early Schedule
With Dallas sporting a 4-2 record, the Command will once again take the field against a winning football team. Five of the first seven squads faced are currently above .500. Those five teams (counting Dallas just once) are now 19-6.
Momentum in May'
As difficult as the early schedule has been, the Command will not have that excuse in the month of May. Through seven weeks of the season, none of the four May opponents have a winning record. New Orleans is 1-5 with Tampa Bay, Tulsa, and Spokane all at 2-4. So despite struggling to find wins against tough competition early in the year, the Command could get right back in the playoff race with a memorable May.
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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.
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