Dorados Rip Win From 'Tide
May 8, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
Hidalgo, Tx - The Rio Grande Valley Dorados registered their first home win of the season and remained perfect in division play (2-0) rebounding back from a 32-13 halftime deficit to defeat the San Diego Riptide 51-45 in front of a vocal 4,540 fans Saturday night at Chase Field inside the Dodge Arena.
San Diego trailed the Dorados 7-3 after the first quarter but then outscored the Dorados 29-6 in the second quarter, tallying 22 consecutive points to close the half. After a Jeff Macrea one-yard rushing touchdown to give the Riptide a 16-13 lead early in the second quarter, the Dorados offense went three-and-out, forcing Eric Houle to attempt a 48 yard field goal. Asi Faoa blocked Houle's attempt and the ball landed out of bounds through the endzone, resulting in a safety. The Riptide scored on the ensuing kickoff from the Dorados with a 24-yard strike from Kane Claunch, making his San Diego return at quarterback, to receiver Nakoa McElrath to increase the 'Tide lead to 25-13. The Dorados next drive fell short, and a turnover on downs gave the Riptide an opportunity to produce a touchdown off a two-yard run by Anthony Griffin with two-seconds remaining in the half.
The Dorados then mounted their comeback march in the third quarter, just as they did the last time San Diego Head Coach Sean Ponder was at Dodge Arena. Last season, coaching the Wichita Stealth on 7/3/04, Ponder and the Stealth had a 28-14 lead at the half but ended up losing the contest 49-34. Marquis Floyd, who earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors with an interception, tallied a pair of offensive touchdowns in the third quarter with a 6-yard and 36-yard reception. Rio Grande Valley went on to score 28 consecutive points in the second half with a rushing touchdown by Chris Robinson and a 20-yard pass from Josh Kellett to Travis McAlpine, building the Dorados lead to 41-32.
San Diego ended their drought of three consecutive scoreless drives on the ensuing drive with a 40-yard pass from Claunch to McElrath with 7:21 remaining in the game to cut their deficit to 41-38. Rio Grande Valley bounced back on the next drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Craig Cole from Kellett and then received an interception by Floyd. The interception by Floyd gave the Dorados the ball with 1:17 remaining at the San Diego five yard line with a 48-38 lead, but an interception by John Amaro Jr. on the first play gave the Riptide life. Claunch hit Ryan Smith with a 24-yard touchdown pass with 42-seconds left and then limited the Dorados to a 32-yard field goal by Eric Houle with 27-seconds remaining after an unsuccessful onside kick. San Diego received the ball with 23-seconds remaining and an opportunity to tie the game with a touchdown, trailing 51-45. Claunch took the 'Tide 19 yards on four plays to the Rio Grande Valley 21 yard line, but his final pass sailed through the endzone incomplete as time expired and the Dorados held onto the win.
Arena football is known for its air game, but this game featured a lot of ground play. The game saw 24 rushing attempts (16 by Rio Grande Valley) and five rushing touchdowns (three by San Diego). Josh Kellett was 16 of 31 passing for 222 yards and 5 touchdowns to earn the Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game. Claunch was 19 of 40 for 264 yards with three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions for the Riptide. The US Army Ironman of the Game was Chris Robinson, who registered a rushing touchdown on offense and six tackles on defense, including an interception and 1.5 tackles for a loss.
The win improves the Dorados record to 2-3 and places them tied for third place in the National Conference's West Division with Bakerfield, who defeated Bossier-Shreveport. San Diego drops to 1-4 and is in sole possession of fifth place in the division.
Rio Grande Valley returns to action Saturday night in Fresno, California, as they battle the West Division leading Central Valley Coyotes (4-1), who jumped into sole possession of first place after a win over the Tulsa Talons. The Dorados return to Chase Field at Dodge Arena on May 21st to host Wilkes Barre/Scranton.
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