Xplosion to Host Rivals, Chicago Slaughter, This Friday
April 7, 2008 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Kalamazoo Xplosion News Release
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo Xplosion look to avenges its first loss of the season this Friday, April 11 when Great Lakes Conference rivals, the Chicago Slaughter, come to town. The Xplosion (4-1) hold a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series against the Slaughter (2-2), with two of the wins coming at Wings Stadium.
The Xplosion lost its first game last week at the hands of the Muskegon Thunder (3-1), who sits in second place in the Great Lakes East Division behind Kalamazoo. The Thunder was able to hold off a previously undefeated Xplosion team in overtime, 44-37, at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon.
The overtime game was the third this season for the Xplosion, as they were more successful in the first two, beating the Slaughter and Rock River Raptors in overtime in back-to-back weeks to open the season. No team in the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) had ever played two over time games in a season, let alone three in the first five weeks of the season. Xplosion Head Coach Mike Sparks says his team just didn't finish in the loss.
"We just didn't find a way to make the plays we needed to," said Sparks. "For the first time (this season) we didn't come through in clutch situations. It was just a lack of preparation; we'll be ready for a very good Chicago team next week."
The Black & Gold held of the Slaughter in the 2008 season opener at the Sears Centre in Chicago, 46-39, in overtime. The Slaughter have since lost to Rock River, and beaten the Milwaukee Bonecrushers and the Miami Valley Silverbacks.
TRENDS
Defensive back David Gater has 10 INT's in five games. He's just two shy of tying the CIFL record for interceptions in a season, which he set last year. He's also had an INT in six straight games, dating back to the 2007 Great Lakes Championship Game against Port Huron.
Quarterback Randy Hutchison has thrown 24 touchdown passes this season, and averages nearly five a game.
Running back Brent Lesniak and wide receiver Dan Musielewicz lead the team in touchdown receptions, with six each. Brian Dolph is right behind them with five touchdown grabs.
Defensive backs Ben Richardson and Richard Newsome are leading the tacklers on the team, both averaging over 7.0 tackles per game.
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Continental Indoor Football League Stories from April 7, 2008
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- Xplosion to Host Rivals, Chicago Slaughter, This Friday - Kalamazoo Xplosion
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- Muskegon Thunder Gets Huge Win Over Explosion - Muskegon Thunder
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