Xplosion Advance in CIFL Playoffs
by Randy Snow
Published on July 8, 2007 under Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Kalamazoo Xplosion
On a hot summer's night in Kalamazoo, the heated action on the gridiron matched the temperature outside as two Great Lakes Division rivals fought it out to see who would advance to the next round of the Continental Indoor Football League playoffs. In the end, it was the Kalamazoo Xplosion who survived a determined Chicago Slaughter team in a 51-40 win at Wings Stadium.
Kalamazoo WR/DB Herb Haygood started things off by taking the opening kickoff at his own goal line and returning it all the way down to the Chicago six-yard line. That set up a six-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage for Kalamazoo by running back Little John Flowers and a 7-0 lead for the Xplosion.
Chicago took the lead for the first time in the second quarter when quarterback John Welsh connected with wide receiver Dontrell Jackson on a 14-yard touchdown pass, that put the Slaughter up 14-13. Moments later, however, Xplosion quarterback Bill Skelton scrambled 7 yards up the middle and Kalamazoo regained the lead, 20-14.
The Xplosion increased its lead thanks to a fumble recovery and score by defensive lineman Anthony Allsbury. On the play, Chicago lined up in a shotgun formation. The center snapper the ball before quarterback Welsh was ready. The ball hit Welsh in the helmet and bounced towards the sideline. Welsh tried to pick up the lose ball but was knocked down by Kalamazoo linebacker Brian Lape. That allowed Allsbury to pick up the ball at the one yard line and dive into the end zone for the score. Kalamazoo increased its lead to 27-14.
Xplosion kicker Brad Selent kicked a 24-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, giving Kalamazoo a 30-21 lead going into halftime. It was Selent's third field goal of the first half. He connected from 24, 22 and 24 yards respectively.
In the third quarter, Haygood caught a 21-yard touchdown pass, making the score 37-27 in favor of Kalamazoo.
In the fourth quarter, Kalamazoo was backed up deep in their own end of the field and Selent set up for a 60-yard field goal attempt from his own end zone. The kick was blocked and then recovered in the end zone for a Chicago touchdown by LB/DL Tyrone Myers, but the Slaughter still trailed 37-34.
On the ensuing Kalamazoo possession, Haygood caught his second touchdown pass of the night, this time for 22 yards, giving Kalamazoo a 44-34 lead. "I haven't been in the end zone in a couple of weeks so it feels good to finally come out here, get in the end zone and help the team out," Haygood said.
Kalamazoo added one more touchdown after that, a nine-yard pass to wide receiver Eric Gardner giving the Xplosion a 51-40 lead. From there they were able to hold off the Slaughter and advance to the division championship game next week.
"It was a great game from the start to the finish," said Xplosion head coach Bob Kubiak. "I think the three weeks off helped us." Kalamazoo had not played a game since June 16 and had two consecutive bye weeks before hosting the Slaughter.
LOOK WHO WAS AT THE GAME
League co-founder Jeff Spitaleri and Director of Media Relations Kevin Keller were also in attendance at the game. Spitaleri was making his second visit to Kalamazoo. He had been here for the team's home opener against Chicago back on April 14. Kalamazoo won that game 34-21.
"I was here for the first game they played and I knew what kind of game that was," Spitaleri said. "I figured I probably can't go wrong going there again, so I figured I would come here. It was a good, hard fought game. Even though it was an 11-point game it was real close."
OTHER CIFL PLAYOFF GAMES
In the Great Lakes Division, the Michigan Pirates defeated the Marion Mayhem 70-20. That game was played in Flint, Michigan. In the Atlantic Division, the Rochester Raiders defeated the Chesapeake Tide 76-43 while the New England Surge topped the Lehigh Valley Outlawz 58-34. Rochester will now host New England in next week's Atlantic Conference championship game.
NEXT XPLOSION GAME
The Xplosion will now take on the Michigan Pirates in the Great Lakes Division championship game next weekend. The time and location will be announced soon.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from July 8, 2007
- Xplosion Advance in CIFL Playoffs - OSC Original by Randy Snow
- 07-07-07 a 7PM Proved to be a winning combination for the New England Surge - New England Surge
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
