Stealth Gets Defensive Against Twisters
June 22, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Little Rock, Ark. - The Stealth offense had a tough go of things early in the game, but the defense came up big time and time again as the Stealth defeated the Arkansas Twisters 57-35 at Alltel Arena on Saturday night. With the win, the Stealth move to 8-4 on the season and set a new franchise record for wins in a season with four games remaining in the regular season.
The Stealth jumped out to a 14-0 lead early on the Twisters. On their first offensive possession, quarterback Anthony Buich found offensive specialist Shomari Buchanan wide open down the right side of the field for a 29-yard touchdown putting the Stealth up 7-0. On the ensuing Arkansas possession, fullback /linebacker John Norman intercepted a Ricky Hebert pass and returned it two yards for the touchdown putting the Stealth up 14-0 halfway into the first quarter. The Twisters would counter on the next drive with a one-yard scoring run by wide receiver/defensive back Kevin Williams bringing the first quarter score to 14-7 in favor of the Stealth.
The Stealth wasted no time scoring in the second quarter as Brian Livingston gave the Stealth their second interception return for a touchdown on the night. Livingston intercepted a Hebert pass and returned it 29-yards giving the Stealth a 21-7 lead. This proved to be the only Stealth score in the second quarter, as they fumbled the ball twice in the quarter. Arkansas ended the half on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Hebert to fullback/linebacker Darnell Small bringing the halftime score to 21-14 Wichita.
The Twisters came out and struck first in the second half on a 36-yard strike from Hebert to KevinWilliams tying the game at 21-21. The Stealth would then reel off 22 unanswered points. The first touchdown came on a 2-yard run by Livingston, his second score of the night making the score 28-21 in favor of the Stealth. After a big fourth down stop by the Stealth defense, the Stealth offense wasted no time in scoring as they had a two play, 21-yard drive capped off by a Buich to Buchanan touchdown making the score 35-21with 1:11 left in the third quarter.
The Stealth defense would open the fourth quarter with a safety as John Norman sacked Hebert in the endzone giving the Stealth a 16-point lead, 37-21. The Stealth would add to it as Buich found Melvin Phillips for a 38-yard touchdown, the extra point attempt failed and the Stealth led 43-21. The Stealth would add two more scores in the game. One on a 3-yard run by newcomer James Lamar, and the other on a Buich to David Castleton 29-yard touchdown pass.
Wichita's receiving corps of Shomari Buchanan, Melvin Phillips, and Brian Livingston led the way for the Stealth offense as they combined for 13 catches for 176 yards and 3 touchdowns. Livingston added a rushing touchdown and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, as well as nine and a half tackles.
Next week, the Stealth will return home to face the San Diego Riptide on June 28th. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Kansas Coliseum and tickets are available by calling the Stealth office at 316.755.3307.
arenafootball2 Stories from June 22, 2003
- Stealth Gets Defensive Against Twisters - Wichita Stealth
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