Phantoms Fall Just Short Again
May 24, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Toronto Phantoms News Release
Toronto, Ont. â The Toronto Phantoms suffered their first home defeat since June 8th 2001, falling 45-38 to the New Jersey Gladiators in front of 7112 at the Air Canada Centre.
For the second week in a row, the game came down to the final play ending in a Phantoms loss. Toronto quarterback Chad Salisbury had his pass knocked down in the end zone, thus ending Toronto's seven game home winning streak (pre & post season games included). The play began with Toronto set up at New Jersey's 10 yard line with 4 seconds left. It appeared that Toronto was going to spike the ball to kill the clock, but instead Salisbury rolled out to pass. New Jersey was not fooled on the play and provided solid defence against Toronto's receivers.
The Phantoms now sit with a 3-3 record after starting the season 2-0. According to Toronto defensive specialist Del Lee, who was knocked out of the game with a hamstring strain early in the first quarter, it is up to the team to refocus. "We need to slow down and take a look at ourselves. We need to see the problem within ourselves and step up, not as individuals, but as a team."
With Lee out with an injury, Charlie Davidson was forced to play out of position lining up at the defensive specialist spot. Luke Leverson saw extra playtime and responded with an Ironman performance as the top two-way player. Leverson led all players with 7 ½ tackles â he also made 3 catches for 28 yards.
Toronto jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first quarter courtesy of fullback Jermaine Younger's three-yard touchdown plunge and a 21-yard dart from Salisbury to offensive specialist Damian Harrell. Harrell finished with 8 receptions covering 100 yards, marking the 5th consecutive week the Toronto star had 100 yards or more in receiving.
In the second quarter, New Jersey scored fourteen straight points beginning with a 16 yard Jay McDonagh to wide receiver Mike Horacek touchdown pass. Then a after a Jermaine Younger fumble on the 5 yard line, the Gladiators exchanged the Phantom turnover for seven points when McDonagh found Horacek from three yards out. Horacek was selected as the game MVP with 10 catches for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns.
New Jersey had a 21-14 lead until Salisbury found time in the pocket and throw a 16-yard strike to Ty Law for the tying score. They went to the locker room tied at 21.
"It was a good back and forth," New Jersey head coach Frank Haege said after the game, "We kept the lead in the end but it was a volley back and forth until then."
After an exchange of field goals to start the second half, the Gladiators capitalized on another Toronto offensive turnover as Damon Mason snagged a Salisbury pass and rumbled 33 yards to the end zone to put the visitors up 31-24. Salisbury has now thrown 6 interceptions in Toronto's last 4 games.
"In any arena game turnovers are the margin of victory," Haege said, "There were no stops on downs so those turnovers made the game (for us)." Toronto responded to their offensive miscue with a solid drive capped off by a one yard Anthony Hicks touchdown dive. It was tied at 31 at the end of the third quarter.
In the final quarter, New Jersey was not to be denied as they faked a field goal allowing them to drive down to the Toronto three yard line. That's where McDonagh found Dennison Robinson for the go ahead score.
The trickery on New Jersey's part was the key play of the game according to Haege. "It could have ended differently if we did not make (the first down). That was a big fake."
Both teams added late touchdowns but New Jersey would hold on to win 45-38.
Phantom head coach Mark Stoute refused comment after the game.
Toronto's next chance to step up as a team is on the road June 1st as they travel to New York to take on the Dragons. It's the first of back-to-back road games for the Ghosts of the Gridiron â they travel to Atlanta to face the Georgia Force on Sunday, June 9th.
Tickets are now on sale for the Phantoms' next home game versus the Buffalo Destroyers on Thursday, June 13th and can be purchased by calling (416) 341-1234 or by logging on to www.torontophantoms.com. Get "Insane for the Game" and be a part of "Thursday Night Gridiron Madness"!
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 24, 2002
- Phantoms Fall Just Short Again - Toronto Phantoms
- Second Place Up for Graps in Roanoke - AFL I
- Dragons Breathe Fire; Defeat Detroit 44-37 - Detroit Fury
- Eastern Division Heats Up - AFL I
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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