Wranglers capture win over Cobras, 56-55
March 7, 2004 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Austin Wranglers News Release
AUSTIN, TEXAS--After a setback in Colorado last Sunday, the 2-1 Austin Wranglers looked primed to get back their winning ways as they played host to the Carolina Cobras in what was the second home game in the franchises early history.
Under the bright lights of the Frank Erwin Center, Austin was first to receive and began their opening possession from the five yard line. QB John Kaleo orchestrated a solid drive after the series started off with a string of penalties. FB/LB Jeremy Beutler ripped off a couple solid runs, one for six yards and the other on a two-yard scoring plunge off the left tackle. The Wranglers opened up the scoring, leading 7-0 with eight minutes left in the first quarter.
Cobra QB Matt Nagy hit OS Todd Doxzon on several occasions in their opening possession. Carolina then closed the deal as Nagy found FB/LB Chris Pope on a clever shovel pass to knot the score up 7-7 at the end of the opening quarter.
After trading blows, it was then Kaleo firing back on the ensuing possession as he connected with WR/DB Charlie Davidson twice, first on a bomb, then on a short hitch route for the touchdown, giving the Wranglers the lead 14-7 in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
Following their score, the Wranglers attempted a high risk onside kick that did not go as planned. The Cobras recovered the ball on the six yard line. After being stymied for three plays, Nagy took matters into his own hands on a QB keeper, evening the contest at 14.
The Wranglers offense seemed to be having trouble moving up the field, but Carolina helped the cause as they had two roughing the passer calls that gave the Wranglers crucial first downs. Following the second personal foul, Kaleo found Davidson on a screen play where he scampered in, regaining the lead 21-14 with five minutes to go in the half.
Carolina came right back, after Nagy found multiple targets on the drive. He struck WR/LB Jack Walker, then WR/DB Damien Groce, then came back to Walker on a broken play where Nagy was rolling right and found his target streaking across the back of the end zone. Walker took a vicious shot into the pads but hung on for the score, tying it back up 21-21 with 2:03 remaining.
With little time to go in the half, Kaleo looked to strike once more but the drive was halted after a big sack from OL/DL Otis Moore. K Tony Dodson attempted a field goal that was wide right, then Cobra WR/DB Jarrick HIllery took it off the net and returned all the way to the Wrangler five yard line. On the next play, Nagy side armed one on the numbers to OS Bernard Holmes giving Carolina its first lead of the game going into halftime.
After a Carolina score to open the second half, the deficit looked as if it riled up the Wranglers. Following a big play from Kaleo to Davidson, FB/LB Dane Krager punched it in from a yard out to cut the lead back to seven. Dodsonâs PAT clanged off the left upright and Austin trailed 27-34 in the middle of the third.
On the second play of the Cobra's next possession, Nagy accidentally found one of Kaleo's favorite targets Davidson on the receiving end. The interception gave the Wranglers the ball and good field position in Cobra territory.
In what seemed to be a recurring theme, Kaleo found Davidson for a touchdown that would draw some signature back flips from the star player. The score was back in a dead lock at 34 going into the fourth quarter.
Nagy regained his composure and threw a pretty touch pass over Doxzon's shoulder. The catch and run gave the Cobras the upper hand at 41-34. The quick touchdown was matched by Kaleo, as he found WR/LB Brandon Daniels on a pump and go in the back of the end zone, knotting the score at 41.
The Cobra's bit right back behind Nagy's lethal arm as he found OS Bernard Holmes right before he met the padding. Nagy's fifth touchdown pass of the day gave Carolina a 47-41 lead after a missed PAT.
With a little under five minutes left in the game, Kaleo threw a frozen rope to WR/LB Tacoma Fontaine for a thirty yard touchdown reception. Dodson added the extra point and Austin had their first lead since the five minute mark of the second quarter.
The yellow flags again helped out a Cobra drive that looked to be halted. Following a roughing the passer penalty, Nagy found a streaking Groce down the sideline for the easy six and Carolina's two-point try was good. Carolina was back on top 55-48 with a little under two minutes remaining in the ball game.
On Austin's final drive, the yellow hanky came through again as another roughing the passer penalty was called, moving the ball to the Cobra 9 yard line. Then on an attempt to Fontaine, a pass interference call was made on DS Damon Mason, moving the ball just inside the 5 yard line. After two plays of no gain, with four seconds remaining Kaleo zipped one into a sliding Fontaine with all clocks at zero.
Instead of kicking the conventional extra point, Head Coach Skip Foster rode Kaleo's hot hand and decided to opt out an overtime. On a little out rout, Kaleo found OS Skinny Culver as he was virtually uncovered and waltzed into the end zone for the final score.
TE/DE Aaron Humphrey removed his helmet at midfield in a state of pandemonium as the electric crowd in the Erwin Center erupted. The two point conversion proved to be the winning margin as the Wranglers win a thriller 56-55. Austin now maintains a winning record by moving to 3-1 in their inaugural season as the Carolina Cobras fall to 2-3. The Wranglers will face the Indiana Firebirds at home next Sunday.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 7, 2004
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