Stealth Get Back on Track
Published on May 24, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Peoria, Ill. - The Wichita Stealth returned to the site where their 2002 season ended, and the began a new season so to speak with interim head coach Sean Ponder taking over for Bob Cortese, who resigned earlier this week. The Stealth offense came out a put up 31 first half points and on their way to a 52-49 victory in front of 5,490 fans at Carver Arena in Peoria, Illinois. The Stealth improve to 5-3 on the season (2-2 on the road), while the Pirates fall to 3-5.
The Stealth began the game with a six-play 29-yard drive resulting in a two-yard touchdown run by fullback/linebacker Brian Goolsby putting the Stealth up 7-0. Stealth wide receiver/linebacker Shomari Buchanan had three catches for 19 yards on the drive. On the ensuing Peoria possession, Goolsby ended the Pirates' drive with an interception, his first of the season. Goolsby picked off a Peoria quarterback Charlie Peterson pass at the Peoria 15-yard line and returned it to the Peoria 13-yard line. The Stealth would have to settle for a 26-yard Jason Corse field goal putting them up 10-0 halfway through the first quarter.
The Pirates would respond with a Versie Gaddis 29-yard touchdown pass from Charlie Peterson, bringing the score to 10-7 in favor of Wichita. The Stealth would add a six-yard Michael Dritlein pass from quarterback Anthony Buich to bring the first quarter score to a 16-7 Stealth lead.
In the second quarter, the two teams would trade scores. The Pirates began the quarter with a three-yard run by fullback/linebacker Brian Archibald. The Stealth defense would block the point after attempt and defensive specialist Brian Livingston would return it all the way for a two point defensive conversion keeping the Stealth on top 18-13. The Stealth would add two more first half scores. First, a 32-yard pass from Buich to Dritlein making the score 24-13 after a failed conversion attempt at the 9:56 mark. The Stealth would conclude the scoring in the first half with a three-yard run by fullback/linebacker Daren Williams making the halftime lead 31-28 in favor of Wichita. The Pirates would have the first possession of the second half starting at their own 20-yard line after the opening kick-off went out of bounds. It would only take them two plays to capture their first lead of the game when Peterson hit Jack Walker for a 16-yard touchdown putting the Pirates on top 35-31 early in the second half. The Stealth would counter with a drive that got them deep in Peoria territory before a Buich interception by Jack Walker, ending the Stealth scoring threat. The Stealth would hold the Pirates and cause them to attempt a 24-yard field goal, which sailed wide left and the Stealth would take over possession at their own 10-yard line. The Stealth drive would take them all the way down to the Peoria seven-yard line as time ran out in the third quarter. Peoria would lead 35-31 after three quarters of play.
The Stealth would continue their drive in the fourth quarter and punch it in the end zone on the second play of the quarter. Goolsby would score his second touchdown of the night on a two-yard run at the 13:03 mark giving the Stealth a 38-35 lead. On the ensuing kick-off, Peoria returner Chris Martin would fumble at the Peoria six-yard line and it was recovered by wide receiver/linebacker Dan Dawson at the Peoria two-yard line. The Stealth would score on a two-yard run by fullback/linebacker Daren Williams, his second of the night and fifth of the season, putting the Stealth ahead 45-35 with 11:42 left in the game.
The Stealth would cling to a three-point lead at the four-minute mark when Peoria took over possession after a long field goal attempt by kicker Jason Corse that sailed wide left. Peoria would have two plays in which the Stealth would get a great amount of pressure on the quarterback. Then, Stealth offensive/defensive lineman Cliff Holloman would recover a Peterson fumble giving the Stealth the ball at the Peoria six-yard line grasping to a three point lead. The Stealth would solidify the victory by scoring a two-yard touchdown run by Dawson. This was Dawson's sixth rushing touchdown of the season and first of the game, putting the Stealth on top 52-42 and securing their second road victory of the season. The Pirates would add a seven-yard touchdown pass from Peterson to Walker making the final score 52-49.
The Stealth will return next Saturday, May 31st to take on the Green Bay Blizzard, kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available by calling the Stealth office at 316.755.3307. The Stealth will then hit the road for three consecutive road games at Tennessee Valley on June 7th, at San Diego on June 14th, and then to Little Rock, Arkansas to take on the Arkansas Twisters on June 21st.
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