Xplosion Wins Tenth Straight Home Game, Beats Slaughter 54-48
by Randy Snow
April 12, 2008 - Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL)
Kalamazoo Xplosion
For the second week in a row, the Kalamazoo Xplosion had a lead at halftime, only to see it disappear in the third quarter. But unlike last week's loss to the Muskegon Thunder, Kalamazoo's defense stepped up late in the game and held off the Chicago Slaughter for a 54-48 win.
Kalamazoo jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a pair of touchdown catches by running back Brent Lesniak of 23 and 38 yards respectively. For the remainder of the quarter, the two teams traded scores and Kalamazoo held a slim 22-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Xplosion wide receiver Brian Dolph opened the second quarter with a pair of touchdown catches of his own, giving Kalamazoo a 15-point lead 35-20. That lead didn't last very long, however, as Chicago kick returner Reggie Eubanks returned the ensuing kickoff 44 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Xplosion lead to 35-27.
Kalamazoo quarterback Randy Hutchison threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kelly Baraka on the next drive, but the extra point attempt was blocked. The loose ball was picked up by Chicago defensive lineman Brian Ceasar, who took off for the opposite end zone. Hutchison chased him down and tripped him up at about the five-yard line, saving a possible safety by the Slaughter. On the tackle, however, Hutchison's head hit the turf hard and his helmet went flying, landing several yards away. Kalamazoo was up 41-34 at the half.
In the third quarter, Hutchison was replaced by backup QB Eric Gardner. Kalamazoo was able to move the ball, but failed to score a single point in the quarter. Chicago running back JR Taylor, on the other hand, scored twice, giving the Slaughter a 48-41 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Xplosion scored twice to open the fourth quarter, a 16-yard run by Gardner and another 16-yard run by running back Little John Flowers, giving Kalamazoo a 54-48 lead. The Xplosion defense stepped up twice after that to keep Chicago out of the end zone the rest of the game.
The Slaughter had a first and goal at the 2-yard line but the Kalamazoo defense stopped Chicago's JR Taylor on four straight running plays. Then, trailing by just six points in the final minute, it all came down to one final play. On fourth down with 8.4 seconds left on the clock, and the ball on the 14-yard line, Chicago quarterback Ronnie Gordon's final pass attempt went incomplete in the corner of the end zone and Kalamazoo escaped with the win. After being shut out in the third quarter, Kalamazoo returned the favor and shut out Chicago in the fourth quarter.
"We're not where we need to be, but at 5-1 we're feeling pretty good," said Xplosion head coach Mike Sparks after the game. "This will be a short-lived victory and we'll go prepare ourselves for (the next game). We were better prepared (this week) against a quality opponent and we will continue to prepare ourselves each week for every opponent that we face."
Kalamazoo has now beaten Chicago twice this season and, in doing so, won their 10th straight home games at Wings Stadium over the past two seasons. The Xplosion previously beat the Slaughter 46-39 in overtime on March 7 in Chicago. The Slaughter's record now stands at 2-3.
GAME STATS
For Kalamazoo, Eric Gardener had two receptions for 17 yards, six rushes for 42 yards and, at quarterback, completed one of two passes for 12 yards. Starting quarterback Randy Hutchison completed 16 of 24 passes for 149 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for another touchdown. Running back Brent Lesniak caught four passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns while wide receiver Brian Dolph had four receptions for 21 Yards and two touchdowns. Kelly Baraka also had four receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown.
For Chicago, quarterback Ronnie Gordon completed six of 17 passes for 134 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed six times for 60 yards and another touchdown. Wide receiver Keith Herron caught four passes for 114 yards and one touchdown.
NEXT GAME
Kalamazoo (5-1) heads east to take on the Flint Phantoms (1-4) on Saturday night, April 19. The Xplosion beat the Phantoms 62-8 back on March 21st. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at the Perani Arena in Flint.
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Randy Snow is a freelance football writer from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Since 2003, he has covered the Arena Football League, arenafootball2, United Indoor Football, the Continental Indoor Football League, the All American Football League and the Canadian Football League. Randy has been a member of the Arena Football League Writer's Association since 2005 and can be reached at randysnow22@yahoo.com.
Continental Indoor Football League Stories from April 12, 2008
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- Xplosion Wins Tenth Straight Home Game, Beats Slaughter 54-48 - OSC Original by Randy Snow
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.
