Guaranteed Victory Holds True
Published on June 8, 2002 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Wichita, KS - The standard was set May 11th, when the Stealth traveled to Fresno to take on the Frenzy. Fresno was searching for their first victory of the season, and guaranteed a win against the Stealth. Wichita returned the favor Saturday June 8th, with a guaranteed victory promise of their own. The Stealth held true to their promise by defeating the Frenzy 52-35 in front of 2,698 fans.
A tremendous performance by quarterback Ron Lopez and Offensive Specialist Willie Grissom resulted in MVP. Grissom ended the evening with 14 receptions, 147 yards, and two touchdowns. Lopez was outstanding again. Coming off a dismal second half performance one week earlier in Tulsa, Lopez looked to revive the Stealth offense. He ended the game completing 29 of 47 passes for 273 yards and 4 touchdowns. The offensive line, who struggled protecting him against Tulsa, played incredibly allowing no sacks, and giving Lopez the necessary time to orchestrate another Stealth victory.
Wichita knew they had to keep an eye on Fresno Offensive Specialist Lamont Webb. Webb ran wild on the Stealth in their first meeting, and even caught the winning touchdown to steal one away from Wichita in Fresno. Saturday's game would end with totally different results for the Frenzy and Webb. Wichita held Webb to only 3 receptions and 60 yards. Webb did end with 2 touchdowns, but was held in check by a Stealth defense that received an outstanding performance from rookie Defensive Specialist Doug Degroot. Degroot was part of Wichita's training camp roster, but was released before the season began. He continued to work on his game, and was finally given his opportunity. He made good on that opportunity intercepting two passes and making five tackles in an incredible effort. Degroot won the ADT Defensive Player of the Game. Greg Kyler, who won the Iron Man award, joined him in spectacular fashion. Kyler finished with seven receptions for 59 yards. He combined his offensive performance with two tackles, one fumble recovery, and interception he returned 20 yards for a touchdown on defense.
Fresno never allowed Wichita to get to far ahead, and stuck around until Willie Grissom caught a 21-yard pass from Lopez and extended the lead to 14. Jason Corse would follow that up with an 18-yard field goal to start the fourth quarter. Fresno would score one more time before Full Back Bruce Henderson put the final nail in the coffin with a 4-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 52-35 with one minute and forty-five seconds left in the game.
Wichita moves to 3-7 on the season and extends its home-winning streak to three. The Stealth holds their playoff destiny in their own hands now as they extend their playoff lead over the Louisville Fire. Oddly enough, they will be the Stealth's next opponents. Louisville will travel to Wichita next week. Wichita hopes to win their fourth game of the season and add one more game on top of their playoff lead.
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