Wichita holds on to defeat San Diego
June 15, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
San Diego, Cali. - Tonight's west division showdown between the Wichita Stealth and the San Diego Riptide came down to the wire, much like the race for the division probably will between these two teams and the Hawaiian Islanders. But on this night, the spotlight went to the Stealth as they defeated the Riptide 54-53 in front of 4,732 screaming fans at the San Diego Sports Arena. San Diego had a chance to win the game at the end when Ryan Geisler's 35-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. With the win, the Stealth tie the franchise record for wins in a season as they equal the seven wins that the inaugural team had in 2001.
The Riptide starting the game by trying to catch the Stealth sleeping on the opening kickoff, as they attempted an on-side kick which was recovered by Stealth in Riptide territory. It only took two plays for the Stealth to get on the scoreboard as quarterback Anthony Buich found offensive specialist Shomari Buchanan for an eight-yard touchdown giving the Stealth the early lead at 7-0. The Riptide came right back with a Kane Claunch to Steve Papin 34-yard score on the first play from scrimmage, tying the game 7-7.
The Stealth would counter with a five-yard run by Brian Livingston. Due to the injuries to the Stealth, Livingston is making his debut on the offensive side of the ball by playing wide receiver/defensive back this game. In the first quarter, he was the leading receiver for the Stealth catching three passes for 28 yards and rushing the ball one time for five yards and a touchdown. The Stealth would lead at the end of the first quarter, 14-10.
The Stealth would increase the lead to eleven points early in the second quarter on a five-yard run by fullback/linebacker Daren Williams. The Riptide would score on the next drive with a 13-yard touchdown catch by offensive specialist Lamont Webb from Claunch. After a Riptide defensive stand, the Stealth would have to attempt a 63-yard field goal which Webb returned 46-yards for a touchdown giving the Riptide their first lead of the game, 23-21. The Stealth would regain the lead on the final possession of the half when Buich found wide receiver/linebacker Melvin Phillips for a seven-yard touchdown bringing the halftime score to 28-23 in favor of the Stealth.
The Riptide would open the second half scoring with a 28-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Geisler. The Stealth would counter with an eight-yard touchdown run by Buich giving the Stealth a 35-26 lead midway through the third quarter. The Riptide would add a 25-yard touchdown catch by Webb putting the third quarter score at 35-33 in favor of the Stealth.
The fourth quarter was highlighted by Stealth newcomer wide receiver/defensive back David Castleton. Castleton was playing in his first arena football game tonight, but the rookie showed no signs of it as he caught four passes for 61 yard and two touchdowns. The first came at the 12:24 mark of the fourth. Buich found Castleton wide open on the right side of the field for a 30-yard score putting the Stealth up by nine, 42-33. Castleton would add another score in the last minute of the game on an 18-yard pass from Buich.
The Riptide took the lead with only 27 seconds left in the game. The Riptide tossed the ball in the backfield to Steve Papin who then completed a three-yard pass to Ryan Smith giving San Diego a 53-48 lead over Wichita. The Stealth would counter with another touchdown by Brian Livingston from Buich at the 13-second mark, but the Riptide would have one more shot at victory. Papin returned the kickoff to near midfield, bringing on Ryan Geisler for a 35-yard field goal attempt. Geisler's kick went wide right and the ball would roll out of the back of the endzone as time expired.
For the Stealth, quarterback Anthony Buich finished the game 21 of 34 for 261 yards, five touchdowns passing and one rushing touchdown, earning him Game MVP honors. Riptide offensive specialist Lamont Webb finished the night with four catches for 73 yards, two touchdowns, and one missed field goal return for a touchdown.
Next week, the Stealth will conclude their three-game road swing with a rematch of the season opener with the Arkansas Twisters in Little Rock, Arkansas. Wichita defeated the Twisters 48-26 on March 29th in Wichita. The Stealth will return home on June 28th to face the San Diego Riptide. 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.
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