Wilmot Phoenix

Observations from Two Feet Away - The Aftermath [ edit | delete ]

By Adam Knoll | May 16, 2010 at 12:02 AM EDT | No Comments (1 new)

                There are many things to look at from this past week’s game. One of them is the resiliency that we showed; another is the fire that we seem to hold as a group. Make no mistake, the Cougars are every bit as good as advertised, and we just saw why. Yet, after this game, I don’t see any reason to think we cannot trade punches with them, or anyone else. Will we loose again? Yes, Even though you play to win the game, losses will happen. However, it’s how you play in those losses, and how you respond from them that make a team better than average.

                I said in a post a long while ago, that we as a unit are un-respected. We are not disrespected, no; the term disrespected insinuates that a person has done something in which he feels he is not given credit, or reverence. No, to be un-respected is when something new comes along and no one knows what to make of it, so they use common perception and the laws of averages to proclaim that the new object holds no real threat. Think about it, we all do it. However, we are on the fast track between un-respected, and respected. I’ll explain:

            A split with the Kenosha Storm results in two teams; the Sabers and the Phoenix. The Storm went 3-7 a year ago, falling badly to almost every single contender they met. Their only wins were against teams who were under .500

           The Phoenix, comprised of mostly young athletes, is taken under wing by a guy who has no financial backing, ownership experience or personal ties, to anyone (except for a strained one with the commissioner, Rick Starosta, the owner whose team just split in two).

          Throughout the winter, no formal indoor practices are held, no formal roster is turned in (we waited to have guys signed until cut day, remember?) and no news about the team is known, the Phoenix are an enigma, yet one from a disappointing team a year ago.

                Now, that is the background for an un-respected team. Why would anyone ‘fear’, or even think twice about the ragtag from the old Storm’s coattails? But then, the Pre-season came:

                Scorpions score 70-0

                Razorbacks Score 7-0

                Gladiators Score 0-7

                These are some impressive numbers, considering playing together for the first time, we held our own. Remember, the Gladiators who we lost to beat up on the Cougars 20-6 just before we played them. And we played backups. So, we knew what we had. Yet still, something was holding us back:

                Our tempers.

                If you don’t think word got around about that brawl between Bella and Mikal after the Gladiators game, think again. If you don’t think the helmet flying leaves a bad taste in the leagues mouth, think again. We may have been impressive, yet a team with such short a fuse will self combust eventually. So here comes the Cougars game.

                Even though we lost the game, it really was up in the air till I overthrew Hector by about a step (he tripped a bit), in the closing minute. We were really hurting in that game. We were missing two of our three defensive linemen who normally go in the rotation, and in sequence we lost Bella, Linkowski and Purtee all within about 15 minutes of game time. No amount of praise could be given to the reserves that would be sufficient. The likes of Angel Hitchcock, Dan Lowes, Will Peebles, D’Angelo Richardson and Jeff Thorpe put together a hell of a show. Whatever doubt we had about our reserves has vanished.

                And what of the few leader remaining after the firestorm? Nick Weiss, Trion Brown, Cody Sisk and David Haywood could not be spoken enough of. Bella is the heart of the defense, and when he was thrown out it was up to the ever manic Weiss to keep the defense from falling apart. Stats will never mention the performance he put on.

                On offense, we were relatively healthy. Tim Thornton, our starting Center left at halftime due to a pinched nerve, and up until that point he did very well. Frank Kiczula came in and kicked ass. Andrew Menard and again David Haywood are irreplaceable. Another reserve to pop up and get some was Ryne Johnsen, who had a trio of catches in the manic second half.