Stealth fly past Pirates
April 3, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Wichita, Kan. - The Wichita defense paved the way for a strong opening night victory over the Peoria Pirates 33-13 in front of 2,830 fans at the Kansas Coliseum. The Stealth defense only yielded 127 total yards and tallied two sacks on the night.
The Stealth were led offensively by quarterback Aaron Sparrow, who was 20-of-33 for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Two of Sparrow's strikes went to wide receiver/linebacker Christopher Highshaw. Highshaw, playing in his first professional game, caught four balls for 48 yards and two scores. Sparrow's other target on the night was offensive specialist Jonathan Jackson. Jackson, also making his rookie debut, caught six passes for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Starting the game, the Stealth offense drove down the field on the Peoria defense, but sputtered when they got deep in Pirates territory, ending the drive on the Peoria nine-yard line. This is where the Stealth defense took over and began to dominate the game. The Stealth defense only allowed the Pirates to get 16-yards on six plays as they stopped the Pirates at midfield. With the short field, the stealth offense wasted no time as they went 25-yards on four plays capping the scoring drive on a five yard run by wide receiver/linebacker Brian Livingston putting the Stealth up 6-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Stealth defense would not waver on the next Peoria offensive drive as they held the Pirates to a four play and out series for a loss of two yards on the drive. The Stealth would take over, as Sparrow would lead the Stealth offense down the field 47-yards in eight plays capping the drive with a 23-yard pass to Highshaw putting the Stealth up 13-0.
The next drive by the Pirates would end with a big defensive play by Stealth defensive specialist Ty Ardoin. Ardoin picked off a Troy Edwards pass at the two-yard line ending a Peoria scoring threat. The Stealth would waste not time as Sparrow quickly hit Jackson on a 49-yard pass, putting the Stealth up 19-0 and that is where the scored stayed at the half.
The Stealth defense would not yield to the Pirates offense as they once again stopped a scoring drive. The Stealth would put up another score at the end of the third on a pass from Sparrow to Highshaw.
The Stealth would put up one more score in the fourth on an Anthony Griffin one-yard run. The Pirates would add a couple of scores behind backup quarterback Michael Souza. Souza would end the night 7-of-18 for 79 yards and two touchdowns.
The Stealth return home next week to face the Laredo Law. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at the Kansas Coliseum.
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