Riptide Post-Season Ends With 22-12 loss
August 10, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
San Diego Riptide News Release
PEORIA, IL â Including the last time the two met back on June 22 in San Diego, the Riptide defense had shutout the Peoria Pirates for 76 minutes and 29 seconds. However, it was the final 13:50 in the National Conference semi-finals that mattered as Peoria scored the game's final 22 points en route to a 22-12 victory ending the Riptide's 2002 season.
The Riptide entered the fourth quarter up 12-0 thanks to a 37-yard Kane Claunch-to-Marty Graham score in the first, a 25-yard Ryan Geisler field goal and a third quarter safety by Ryan Cuthbert.
The tide turned on the first play of the final stanza when Peoria's backup QB Matt Pike came in nailed Cornell Craig on a 29-yard score. Pike in the fourth quarter lit up the Riptide for 95 yards and three touchdowns completing 6-of-8 of his passes. In addition to his touchdown to Craig, Pike tossed scores of 23 and 13 to two other receivers.
Aside for the long ball to Graham, Riptide QB Kane Claunch hit on 10-of-32 for just 85 yards and was picked off twice.
A bright spot for the Riptide was the defensive play of Ryan Cuthbert who was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Game after posting five tackles (three for a loss), two sacks and even blocked a field goal.
Peoria advances to the National Conference championship game against the Birmingham Steeldogs who defeated the top seeded Tulsa Talons 53-34. In the other af2 playoff games, Cape Fear beat Albany and Florida shocked Macon. Both conference championship games will be played next Saturday â Peoria at Birmingham and Florida at Cape Fear. The winners will play the following Friday for the ArenaCup title at the site of the team with the best remaining record.
MVP: Matt Pike, PEO
IRONMAN: Brandon Campbell, PEO
ADT Def. Player: Ryan Cuthbert, SDG
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