Xplosion Win in Overtime Again, 33-26
March 15, 2008 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Kalamazoo Xplosion News Release
By Brian Phillips - kzooxplosion.com
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Xplosion grinded out a grueling overtime win this Friday as the first-year Rock River Raptors handed them a true test at Wings Stadium, with the Xplosion coming out on top, 33-26.
Kalamazoo had control for a majority of the game, but the momentum swung in the second half as running back Randy Bell spearheaded a slow methodical attack that chewed the clock and kept the Xplosion offense off of the field. The only points allowed by the stingy bend-but-don't-break Raptor defense was the go-ahead field goal by kicker Brad Selent with 58 seconds remaining in regulation. The Raptors responded with a quick drive, ending with the tying field goal as the fourth quarter expired.
In overtime, a touchdown pass from Randy Hutchison to wide out Dan Musielewicz on third down gave the Xplosion the lead. With the Raptors looking to answer, David Gater shut the door on the first play with his third interception of the game.
"I don't know how we did it but we did, and that's all that matters." said Gater, "A win is a win."
The win stretches Kalamazoo's home winning streak to eight games and moves them to 2-0 on the season. With the win, the Xplosion become the first ever CIFL team to play back-to-back overtime games and win each.
Leading the Xplosion offensive attack was Dan Musielewicz with seven catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Wide out Brian Dolph pitched in with key chain moving grabs throughout the second half and ended up with five catches for 37 yards. But head coach Mike Sparks couldn't say enough about his defense after the game.
"Those guys are phenomenal," said Sparks, "Because when you take the ball away, you don't just get the great field position, more importantly you get the momentum, and our fans are excellent here so we feel like we can really control the momentum with our defense."
Xplosion defensive back Richard Newsome led all players with 9.5 tackles alongside first-year defensive back Ben Richardson who pitched in 6.5 tackles and a sack.
The Xplosion home winning streak will be put to the test next Friday, March 21, when the Flint Phantoms come to town. Tickets are available at the Wings Stadium box office.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from March 15, 2008
- Another Overtime, Another Win for Kalamazoo - OSC Original by Randy Snow
- Xplosion Win in Overtime Again, 33-26 - Kalamazoo Xplosion
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