Counter Helps Dorados Steam Past Quad City 56-38
August 8, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
Hidalgo, Tx - Rio Grande Valley Dorados quarterback Josh Kellett found receiver Dwight Counter seven times for 172 yards and four touchdowns, including touchdowns of 40, 43 and 45 yards, to lead the Dorados past the Quad City Steamwheelers 56-38 in front of 4,570 fans at Chase Field/Dodge Arena Sunday night, placing Dorados Head Coach Kevin Guy as the all-time af2 co-leader in victories with 51 wins and the Dorados into the second round of the National Conference playoffs, where the Tulsa Talons await for a Saturday night tilt in Tulsa.
Counter's big night was not until teams exchanged a trio of rushing touchdowns to start the game. Chris Robinson opened the contest with a one-yard touchdown plunge on the Dorados opening possession. Quad City responded with a 24-yard field goal from Nick Gatto and a two-yard touchdown run by Sam Clemons to take a 10-7 lead, which ended up as the only lead the 'wheelers would obtain. Josh Kellett's highlight-reel 20-yard touchdown run ignited a 21-0 Dorados scoring run. Travis Burns stopped the run with an af2 postseason record 58-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 16.6 seconds remaining, cutting the Dorados lead to 28-17. The time remaining was just enough to allow the Dorados to close the half on a positive note, as a two-play drive resulted with a 25-yard touchdown reception by Counter with 2.2 seconds remaining to give the Dorados a 35-17 halftime lead.
The two teams exchanged scores throughout the second half, with all scoring tallies occurring through the air. Counter registered a pair of touchdown catches in the second half, as did Quad City's Jack Walker Jr. (34,30). The Dorados answered each of the Steamwheeler's second half scoring drives, including the final scoring drive, which was a pass by WR/DB Marquis Floyd to tight end John Bradley for a 21-yard touchdown.
Kellett was impressive in his second career postseason start and first postseason win. He was 15 for 29 for 300 yards (average of 20-yards per completion) with an interception and 4 touchdowns in the air, and a ground game that consisted of 3 carries for 28 yards and a touchdown. Dwight Counter claimed the game's Offensive Player of the Game with his four touchdowns and 172-yard receiving performance. Curtis Jeter, who is the af2 all-time leader in forced fumbles, forced two fumbles to earn the ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Dorados WR/LB Travis McAlpine had an interception and five receptions for 74 yards to earn the US Army Ironman of the Game.
Coach Guy improves his all-time af2 postseason coaching record to 2-3 and will now coach his first ever postseason road game this Saturday, as the Dorados meet the Tulsa Talons for the third time this season. The two clubs split the regular season, each garnering home victories.
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