Xplosion Ousts Thunder From CIFL Playoffs
Published on June 18, 2008 under Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Muskegon Thunder News Release
KALAMAZOO - The Kalamazoo Xplosion didn't seem overly concerned with how they started in their Great Lakes Conference semifinal game against the rival Muskegon Thunder on Saturday night. Instead, the hosts focused on how they finished, using a pair of half-closing rallies to advance in the Continental Indoor Football League playoffs with a 50-33 victory.
Muskegon (5-8) held a 33-29 lead early in the fourth quarter after a Dan Richard to Preston Garris 15-yard scoring toss. Garris had also scored the only touchdown in the third quarter as the Thunder seized back the momentum they had enjoyed while leading 20-14 during the same stretch of the contest in the second quarter.
But just as the first half lead had fizzled away, so too did this advantage. Kalamazoo's Eric Gardner ignited the comeback with a length-of-the-field kickoff return and then capped the game's scoring with a short touchdown reception from quarterback Randy Hutchison in the final minute to secure the win. Hutchison also hit wideout Brian Dolph with a touchdown strike during the blitz as Kalamazoo (12-1) scored the final 21 points, dashing the Thunder's hopes for an upset.
The win also kept the Xplosion's two-year undefeated streak alive at Wings Stadium. Since joining the CIFL last season, Kalamazoo has KO'd all 14 visiting opponents.
Muskegon, who handed Kalamazoo its only loss of the season back in April, looked capable of repeating the feat in the early going, as nose tackle Adam Pringle knocked the ball loose from Xplosion running back Little John Flowers on the game's second play from scrimmage. Eric Malloy recovered for Muskegon, setting up Richard's first touchdown pass to receiver Richard Gills.
Thunder kicker Mike Brennan's kick failed, but Muskegon had a 6-0 lead and early confidence with 7:12 remaining in the opening quarter.
Kalamazoo was in danger again on their next drive, as they faced a third-and-fourteen situation. Hutchison, however, took the early jitters out of the crowd and his teammates when he found the speedy Kelly Baraka behind the defense for a 19-yard touchdown pass and a 7-6 lead after Brad Selent's successful point after at the 3:41 mark.
Gills hauled in another scoring strike from Richard on the next possession. The 10-yard connection capped a quick 2-play, 20-yard drive and Brennan's kick gave the guests a 13-7 lead with 1:24 still showing on the first quarter clock.
Hutchison then came up with another key third down play, scrambling to avoid pressure and then lobbing a perfect rainbow strike to Gardner in the back corner of the end zone as time expired. Selent split the uprights again and Kalamazoo headed to the second quarter with a 14-13 edge.
Muskegon made it a perfect three-for-three on offense as Richard hit back up running back Ryan Moore with a 10-yard touchdown toss. It was the first professional score of the rookie Moore's career, and it gave the Thunder their third lead of the half at 20-14 with 12:40 left before halftime.
Huthchison also stayed red hot, zipping a pass to Dan Musielewicz from one yard out on the ensuing drive. A high snap that eluded Hutchison resulted in a failed conversion as the teams were deadlocked at 20-20 with 10:14 remaining.
The hosts then made their first defensive stop of the night, forcing a 29-yard field goal try that Brennan sent wide.
The Xplosion kept the pressure on as Hutchison saw a wide open L.J. Parker running down the middle of the field. The broken coverage allowed Parker, a former Thunder player, to easily trot to the end zone untouched. Muskegon defensive end Ernest Bentz broke through the line to block the kick, leaving Kalamazoo with a 26-20 advantage 3:10 before intermission.
Muskegon nearly killed the remaining time on the clock with a nine-play drive that brought them to the Xplosion nine yard line, but the Thunder came away empty-handed after four consecutive Richard incompletions stalled the drive.
Hutchison quickly guided Kalamazoo back into Muskegon territory and Selent nailed a 39-yard field goal as time expired in the first half as the Xplosion reeled off 15 straight points to take a 29-20 lead into the locker room.
The Thunder opened the third quarter with a missed field goal but got a spark from the defense to get back in the game as Malloy stepped in front of a Hutchison screen pass and returned it to the Kalamazoo 4 yard line. Hutchison momentarily stole the ball from Malloy during the interception return, but Malloy ripped the ball back from the Xplosion signal caller just before being brought to the turf.
One play later Garris rushed across the goal line to narrow the deficit to 29-27. Muskegon then had a golden opportunity later in the quarter but couldn't take advantage of Bentz' second blocked kick of the night that set up the Thunder at Kalamazoo's 9 yard line. That drive eventually ended with a missed field goal.
Hutchison finished the game hitting 18-of-26 attempts for 242 yards with one interception. The Tecumseh High product spread the wealth divvying up his six touchdown passes among five different receivers. Dolph led the way with 7 grabs for 84 yards and Gardner also tallied 84 yards on 6 catches. Baraka chipped in with a pair of catches totaling 37 yards while Parker, Musielewicz and Kyle Lackscheide each had one reception. Flowers gained 20 yards on four carries.
Defensively, the Xplosion were led by defensive back David Gater, who was involved in 15 tackles, 3 pass break ups and an interception. Former Michigan State Spartan Richard Newsome added 7 stops and Ben Richardson and Andy Storey added tackles for loss.
Richard completed 17-of-35 passes for 158 yards with four touchdowns and one interception for Muskegon. His favorite target was Gills, who caught nine balls for 97 yards, the second straight playoff game he has notched nine receptions. Garris posted 4 catches for 27 yards and added 16 more yards on five rushes. Nathan Wruble notched a pair of catches for 17 yards.
Tim Gough led the Thunder defense with 5 tackles including two for loss. Pringle and Bentz each added a tackle for loss.
Kalamazoo will now host the Rock River Raptors (8-5) in the GLC final Saturday at Wings Stadium.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from June 18, 2008
- Xplosion Ousts Thunder From CIFL Playoffs - Muskegon Thunder
- Allen to assume General Manager position full time - Dayton Silverbacks
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