Stealth Clinch Playoff Spot
Published on July 6, 2002 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Wichita, KS - The magic number was one, and won the Stealth did. Either a Stealth victory or a Louisville Fire loss would send the second year franchise to the playoffs for the first time. Wichita did not want to rely on the Fire to trip up against the Tennessee Valley Vipers, but rather control their own destiny with a win. The Stealth accomplished that with a 42-37 win over the San Diego Riptide in front of 3,983 fans.
Wichita would shoot out of the gates, scoring on their very first play. Game MVP Ron Lopez connected with Offensive Specialist Corey McCoy for a 35-yard touchdown pass and put the Stealth on top 6-0 after only 35 seconds on play. Wichita would then get a safety by the Chris Enneking, who was named Ironman of the Game. Enneking would finish with a pass defense, and penetrated the Riptide front line repeatedly drawing numerous holding penalties.
Wichita would go ahead by as many as 26 points, and led at half 36 to 10. Wichita shot out of the gates in the first half, but stumbled off the block in the second. The Stealth only scored six points in the entire second half, but held on to win 42-37. San Diego head coach Cree Morris made a change at quarterback early in the second quarter to boost the Riptide to a strong finish. Wichita brought down Riptide starting quarterback Kane Claunch five times, and forced the Riptide to turn to Wesley Phillips. Phillips answered the call and charged back in the second half, drawing as close as five late in the game.
The final play of the game proved to be the deciding factor as the Riptide tried an on-side kick trailing by five points with only 56 seconds remaining. Riptide Kicker Ryan Geisler attempted to kick it straight ahead to himself, but was met head on by Enneking. Unfortunately for the Stealth no one was behind Enneking, and the Riptide recovered on their own 12-yard line with 51 seconds left in the game. Much to the surprise of the Riptide and most spectators a flag was thrown on the far side of the field indicating one of the Riptide had gone offside to negate the recovery. Wichita took over at the 12-yard line and handed the ball over to Fullback Bruce Henderson to run out the clock. Henderson set a Stealth individual game record with nine carries, and sealed the win for the Stealth.
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