Dorados Look To End Winless Streak
June 14, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
HIDALGO, TX: June 14, 2004 â The Rio Grande Valley Dorados of arenafootball2 (af2) open a two-week road trip against non-conference opponents this Friday night in Bossier City, Louisiana, as the 3-6 Dorados face the 4-7 Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings in attempt to end a five-game winless streak. The Dorados record dropped to 3-6 Saturday night after a 45-35 loss to the Tulsa Talons at a sold-out (5,500) Dodge Arena.
The game started out in favor of the Dorados after a Ronshay Jenkins interception off of a Bob Bees pass in the game's opening possession, which gave the Dorados first and goal at the three yard line, but Tulsa's defense kept the Dorados out of the endzone and forced a turnover on downs. Tulsa went on to score 26 points in the first half and their defense shutout the Dorados in the first half.
Dorados quarterback Caleb Slover made his first start as a Dorado and was held to 4 of 13 in passing for 45 yards during the first half by the Talons defense, which forced two Dorados first half turnovers. The Talons converted on those turnovers with a pair of touchdowns to build their 26-0 halftime lead.
The halftime pep talk in the locker room worked for the Dorados, as they scored their first touchdown on the first offensive play in the second half. Slover hit a 33-yard pass completion to Jenkins for his first touchdown of the season. Tulsa wasted no time responding with a two-play drive to make the score 33-7. The Dorados produced a seven-play 45-yard scoring drive on their following possession, which was completed with a 4-yard touchdown completion to Manwell Talbert from Slover. Tulsa tried to extend their 33-14 lead, but the Dorados stopped the drive with an interception by Nicholas Davis. Rio Grande Valley took over the ball and Slover, who was 7 for 13 in passing during the third quarter for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns, took advantage of the turnover with an 8-yard touchdown completion to newly acquired Dorado Cordell Thornton to cut the Tulsa lead to 33-21. The Talons pushed their lead to 39-21 with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Robert Reed after an unsuccessful onside kick attempt by the Dorados. The next Dorados offensive possession would be the last in the contest for Slover. Talons lineman Anton Ceaser was going in for the sack and led his helmet right into the neck of Slover, who had just released the ball in a passing attempt. Slover went to the turf in agonizing pain, sending medical units to his attention. He could not breathe under his own power and was taken by stretcher off the field and into an ambulance to Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Rio Grande City native Abel Gonzalez stepped in at quarterback for the Dorados and completed not only the game but the scoring drive with a 10-yard pass to Craig Cole to place the score at 28-39 in favor of Tulsa. The Talons, who never had more than a three-play drive in the second half, wasted no time again extending their lead. Bees led the Talons to a two-play 41-yard drive with a 36 yard touchdown pass to Reed for Reed's fourth touchdown pass of the game. Reed caught a game-high 12 catches for 126 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Baby Ruth Offensive Player of the Game honor. The Dorados continued to attack and attempt the uphill climb by scoring on a 9-yard pass completion to Talbert from Gonzalez with 2:10 remaining in the game and cutting the deficit to ten (45-35). Kicker Eric Houle, who was a perfect 5 for 5 in extra point attempts, was perfect on an onside kick attempt on the following kickoff and Talbert's recovery gave the Dorados continuous offensive possessions. Unfortunately for the Dorados, the Talons defense stood tall and grabbed a sack and forced three incomplete passes to obtain possession of the ball, running out the clock for the 45-35 win.
Dorados defensive specialist Eddie Moten recorded a game-high 8.5 tackles (8 solo) and had 2 pass break-ups to earn ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors, and Tulsa'a Bjorn Barre had 3 receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown on offense and an interception on defense to earn the US Army Ironman of the Game. Abel Gonzalez finished the game 4 of 11 passing for 74 yards and 2 touchdowns. Slover recovered in the second half statistically, going 8 for 14 passing for 92 yards and 3 touchdowns to push his overall game numbers to 12 of 27 for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Slover's injury was diagnosed as a bruised larynx, but it could have been more severe. He was seconds from having an emergency tracheotomy performed, but outstanding medical attention was delivered by team athletic trainer Travis Dillon, Dr. Kip Wells and Dr. George Kartalian of Proactive Orthopedics, team physician Dr. Jimmy Sorce MD, Med-Care EMS and Rio Grande Regional Hospital to prevent any further complications. Dillon was also busy later in the game, assisting an injured Spencer Conley, who left the game with a knee injury. Slover was released from the hospital Sunday night and he was with the team today (Monday) to watch game film. He and Conley are both day-to-day and will be reevaluated each day this week before a final decision is made if they will play this Friday night.
Rio Grande Valley now sets their sights on the Battlewings, who are coming off of a high-scoring 78-63 victory over the Laredo Law Friday night. Bo Smith led the way offensively for the âWings with 7 receptions for 141 yards and 4 touchdowns. Smith is third in the af2 with 28 touchdowns this season. Bossier-Shreveport is also led by veteran quarterback Sherard Poteete, who is 10th in the af2 in offense with 1,988 passing yards and 202 rushing yards.
The Dorados next contest back at the Dodge Arena is Saturday, July 3rd, as they battle the Wichita Stealth. Individual tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased by stopping by the Dodge Arena offices (2600 N. 10th St. in Hidalgo, Tx) or contacting them by phone at 956-843-7825. Additional ticket information and corporate opportunities are available by contacting the Dorados offices at 956-843-7825 or visit the Dorados online at www.doradosfootball.com.
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