Stealth Beat Law 49-34

July 24, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Laredo Law News Release


LAREDO, Texas –The Laredo Law committed a franchise record nine turnovers in a wild and crazy 49-34 loss to the Wichita Stealth in front of 4,115 fans at the Laredo Entertainment Center. The Stealth broke a four-game losing streak and improved to 8-7, while the Law dropped to 3-12. The Law finishes the 2004 af2 regular season Saturday night at Tulsa. For more information log onto www.laredolaw.com.

The first half was without a doubt the wildest of the year as the Law and the Stealth traded touchdowns, turnovers, and exciting plays.

The Stealth got on the board on their opening possession as QB Heath Ridenour fired a three yard strike to WR/DB Brian Livingston, 7-0 Wichita. On the Law's first possession new Law QB Marc Saldana was intercepted by WR/DB Norman Mason. On the ensuing Stealth chance Law DS Traco Rachal intercepted Ridenour and returned it to the Stealth 18. One play later Saldana found WR/DB Torrey Prather who made a leaping catch for a seven yard TD to tie the game.

Saldana was intercepted on the next Law possession, and Wichita took a 14-7 lead when Ridenour connected with WR/DB Anthony Griffin from eight yards out early in the second quarter. Saldana was intercepted again by Mason and Wichita made it 21-7 as he returned it 18 yards for a TD. The Law came back when Saldana found WR/DB P.J. Winston who took it 45 yards for the TD to bring Laredo within 21-14. Laredo native Roque Vela then intercepted Ridenour and returned the ball to the Wichita seven yard line. On the ensuing play FB/LB Trey Merkens barreled seven yards for TD to tie the game at 21. The wild play continued when Rachal intercepted Ridenour again, but Saldana fumbled scrambling and the Stealth had the final scoring chance of the first half when they lined up for a field goal. Rachal blocked the field goal and the half ended in a crazy 21-21 tie.

In the second half the Law had a chance to take the lead, but fumbled the ball. Wichita promptly marched 29 yards and FB/LB Daren Williams crashed over from the two yard line for a 28-21 Stealth lead. On the next Law possession OL/DL Cliff Holloman picked up a Laredo fumble and returned it 28 yards for a TD to make it 35-21 Stealth.

Laredo battled back when Saldana found WR/LB B.J. Jones for a 13-yard TD late in the third quarter. Then WR/LB Melvin Phillips intercepted Ridenour inside the Stealth 10 yard line and the Law were poised to tie the game, but Mason intercepted Saldana for the third time. Wichita marched 49 yards in six minutes and increased their lead to two touchdowns when Griffin scored on a three yard sweep around the right side. Each team added one final touchdown. FINAL SCORE Wichita 49, Laredo 34.

Saldana was 14-27 for 237 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. Ridenour went 14-33 for 139 yards and tossed four picks.



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