Steeldogs Kickoff 2005: What about the Riptide?

April 6, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Alabama Steeldogs News Release


*This is the second in a series of articles counting down the start of the Steeldogs' sixth season. In this edition, we take a look at the Steeldogs' opening game opponent, the San Diego Riptide.

Despite being a part of the af2 since 2002, Steeldog fans don't really know a whole lot about Southern California's only arena football franchise.

On Saturday, April 9, the San Diego Riptide will take the field inside the BJCC Arena, facing the Steeldogs for the first time in either team's history. So let's learn a little bit about our opening night opponent.

The History:

The Riptide began af2 play in 2002, joining franchises in Bakersfield, Hawaii and Fresno (now Central Valley) during the league's manifest destiny era of westward movement. Setting up shop in the historic San Diego Sports Arena, the ‘Tide drew a franchise high 9,747 fans to their first game, an overtime loss to Bakersfield.

But the seed had been planted. Much like Birmingham two years previous, the Riptide drew solid attendance numbers in their first year, finishing with a 7-9 regular season record and a trip to the playoffs. After beating Bakersfield in a first-round rematch, the team dropped a heartbreaker to Peoria, who would go to defeat the Steeldogs en route to the 2002 league title.

Year two was a bit more challenging, as the team struggled to a dismal 6-10 record. At one point, the Riptide lost seven of eight games in a row, including four games at home.

2004 was more successful, as the team finished with its best regular season record in its history at 8-8. But, a late season loss to Central Valley doomed the ‘Tide's playoff hopes, keeping them at home during the af2 postseason.

This year, the team begins a new era. Jon Runyan, currently a right tackle for the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles, is the team's new managing operator. Dan Foutz was also appointed as the team's new general manager.

The Coach:

Sean Ponder begins his first year with the organization, having compiled a 12-12 record with the Wichita Stealth over two years, including a trip to the postseason. His other coaching experience came as an offensive coordinator at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif.

The Players:

Gone are OS Dwight Carter, FB/LB Ryan Cuthbert and WR/LB Jesus Reyes who combined for 336 points in 2004 alone. Carter was the team's leading receiver last season, hauling in 104 passes for 1,345 yards and 23 touchdowns. He played in all 16 games for the ‘Tide. Reyes was San Diego's second-leading pass catcher, pulling down 60 catches for 879 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Filling that void will be top returnee Nakoa McElrath, as well as newcomers Nian Taylor and Anthony Griffin. McElrath was the ‘Tide's third-leading receiver, catching 50 passes for 798 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also led the team in scoring with 156 points.

At quarterback, the onus falls on returning starter Kevin Feterik. Feterik came off the bench during the 2004 regular season, earning a 3-2 record as a starter. He completed 75 of 128 pass attempts for 877 yards, 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Also available is af2 veteran Anthony Buich, who in 45 career games has thrown for 9,479 yards and 186 touchdowns.

The offensive and defensive lines are anchored by returning veteran Brad Greetis, who earned All-af2 honors last season. Noah Drucker and Chris Enneking both made the rosters of AFL teams before finding their way to the shores of the Pacific.

At kicker, it looks as though the team as settled on Kimo Naehu, who enters his fourth season of af2 competition after three years with the Hawaiian Islanders. Naehu earned All-af2 honors last season after scoring 98 points via his foot.

The Intangibles:

San Diego comes into Birmingham ranked seventh in the league's first coaches' poll of 2005. The Riptide received 99 total votes, including one first place nod.

The team also has a leg up on the Steeldogs, having played an exhibition game against the All-Japan Samurai Warriors in San Diego. The Riptide came away with a 67-32 victory. In the game, Kevin Feterik completed 14 of 19 pass attempts, including five for touchdowns. Perhaps surprisingly, Warriors quarterback Kotaro Okamura completed 20 of 33 pass attempts against the Riptide secondary, finding pay dirt three times.

The game's final minute closed with five scores, as the Warriors scored on a 29-yard touchdown pass and a 50-yard kickoff return, only to be answered by an on-sides kickoff return and two Feterik touchdown passes by the Riptide.

The Fun Facts:

The Riptide and Steeldogs shared three common opponents in 2004: Arkansas, Green Bay and Quad City.

Birmingham defeated Arkansas 56-40 in the season's third game at Little Rock and overcame a late Green Bay rally to thaw the Blizzard at home, 56-54. The Steeldogs dropped their lone game against the Quad City Steamwheelers in 2005, 56-22, in Moline, Ill.

San Diego finished 2-2 against the same opponents. The ‘Tide dropped their opening game of 2004 at Arkansas, 48-38, and also fell the second week versus Green Bay, 67-49. Later in the season, the team upset Quad City at home, 62-52, and won their rematch with the Blizzard, 50-34, at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisc.

Birmingham's opener versus San Diego marks the fifth time in six years that the Steeldogs have opened against an opponent from the National Conference. In four previous games, the Steeldogs are 2-2, beating Bossier City (2001) and Cincinnati (2003) while falling to Tennessee Valley (2000) and Tulsa (2002).



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