Gater Strikes Again, Xplosion Wins 62-8
March 22, 2008 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Kalamazoo Xplosion News Release
By Brian Phillips - kzooxplosion.com
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Xplosion had to wait an extra half hour to extend their home winning streak to nine games this Friday as they trounced the first-year Flint Phantoms, 62-8.
The snow delay didn't affect defensive back David Gater, as he was up to his usual ways, recording a season high four interceptions to up his season total to eight. The defensive line recorded three sacks and kept a constant pressure on quarterbacks David Johnson and Mario Harris, forcing a total of six interceptions; four by Gater, and a pair of pick sixes from Jodie Clemons and Chris Sheftic.
But the story of the game was the Xplosion offense and their return to excellence. It doubled Flint's total offense in the game with 253 yards from scrimmage. Quarterback Randy Hutchison led the Xplosion attack, completing 75% of his passes for 210 yards and six touchdowns. Brent Lesniak and Kelly Baraka combined for over 150 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, creating a balanced game plan that kept Flint's defense off guard.
Coming into week three, Xplosion Head Coach Mike Sparks wasn't impressed with his team's ability to play a complete game start to finish. In week one against Chicago, his team had only 18 yards in the first half before rallying back to win in overtime, and last week the Xplosion put up 23 points in the first half, but were shutout in the second half before winning again in overtime.
"We hadn't played a complete game this year until tonight. We did some great things on offense, and our defense played outstanding," said Sparks.
The Xplosion travel to Ft. Wayne next Thursday, March 27 to take on the Freedom at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard on the CIFL Radio Network.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from March 22, 2008
- Muskegon Thunder Defense Rocks Raptors - Muskegon Thunder
- Gater Strikes Again, Xplosion Wins 62-8 - Kalamazoo Xplosion
- Xplosion Trounce Phantoms 62-8 - OSC Original by Randy Snow
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